How can I downgrade Watch OS 2 to 1.0.1?

[Rich Woods]

So I've got a bit of a problem. Maybe someone could help. I have WatchOS 2 Beta 2 on my Apple Watch Sport and iOS 9 on my iPhone 6. I restored my iPhone 6 yesterday to check out iOS 8.4. When I went back to iOS 9 Beta 2, I did a factory reset on the watch so I could pair it again. Now, the Apple Watch seems to be bricked. Nothing happens when I press the power button or the digital crown. I suppose it could still be resetting, but even then there's usually something on the screen.

I guess my question is if anyone has had any experience with this? What happens when you factory reset your Apple Watch running WatchOS 2 Beta 2?

 

[miketko]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1



So I un paired and reset the device. Then restored to os 1.01 and now it's stuck on this screen. I've done a hard reset several times and the furthest it's loaded was 1/4 of the way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[baz1536]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

What do you mean you restored to 1.0.1. Had you upgraded to 2? If so you are still on 2...


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[Scatabrain]

View attachment 84311

So I un paired and reset the device. Then restored to os 1.01 and now it's stuck on this screen. I've done a hard reset several times and the furthest it's loaded was 1/4 of the way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

As you will see in this discussion, there is no way to downgrade the watch yourself. You can restore the 1.0.1 backup but the watch is still 2.0 and will not pair with 8.4.

I found that resetting can take what feels like quite awhile. Probably 20 minutes worst case.

If it is stuck, hold down both buttons until it restarts.

 

[Scatabrain]

Some have sent the watch in for service. 9 beta 2 and watchOS 2 are much better. Another phone beta next week. I would just wait it out vs sending in for service.

 

[Rich Woods]

As you will see in this discussion, there is no way to downgrade the watch yourself. You can restore the 1.0.1 backup but the watch is still 2.0 and will not pair with 8.4.

I found that resetting can take what feels like quite awhile. Probably 20 minutes worst case.

If it is stuck, hold down both buttons until it restarts.

You sir, are amazing!!! Neigh! Amazeballs! I know you weren't exactly responding to my comment but it worked! I held both buttons, it reset, and now it's performing the factory reset! Thank you! I thought this thing was totally bricked!

 

[miketko]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Stuck with this also. Admittedly should have just left it tbh. In town near an Apple Store tomorrow so may try and pull some strings and see what they may be able to do.

Apparently the Apple Store can't fix it and it had to be shipped

 

[Rich Woods]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

So now that my reset worked out, it randomly rebooted and now it's stuck on a similar screen as the one above

 

[Scatabrain]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

So now that my reset worked out, it randomly rebooted and now it's stuck on a similar screen as the one above

Reboot again with both buttons. Then if you can, Hold the side button until you get the power menu. Force press the screen to get Reset All again.

Hope that helps.

 

[Scatabrain]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

So now that my reset worked out, it randomly rebooted and now it's stuck on a similar screen as the one above

With a problem like this, if it is really stuck and the Genius can't stop the reset loop, you may get a replacement. That has the benefit of being on 1.0.1 if that is your goal for now.

 

[miketko]

Some have sent the watch in for service. 9 beta 2 and watchOS 2 are much better. Another phone beta next week. I would just wait it out vs sending in for service.

Wait it out? If we are stuck in a loop I don't think the new beta is going to fix it. Once I get my watch back I will go back to ios9 beta 3 when 3 arrives but def leaving watch OS alone.

 

[Scatabrain]

Wait it out? If we are stuck in a loop I don't think the new beta is going to fix it. Once I get my watch back I will go back to ios9 beta 3 when 3 arrives but def leaving watch OS alone.

That was assuming the hard boot fixed it.

 

[miketko]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Reboot again with both buttons. Then if you can, Hold the side button until you get the power menu. Force press the screen to get Reset All again.

Hope that helps.

Thanks this worked. When I got the the passcode screen I used force touch to reset. Now I'll just wait for ios9 beta 3 rather than sending it in

 

[Scatabrain]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Thanks this worked. When I got the the passcode screen I used force touch to reset. Now I'll just wait for ios9 beta 3 rather than sending it in

Tuesday most likely.

 

[Rich Woods]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Reboot again with both buttons. Then if you can, Hold the side button until you get the power menu. Force press the screen to get Reset All again.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. I'll let you know if that works. If it does, I swear I'm powering this thing down until beta 3 comes out. Eddie Cue tweeted it was coming early next week.

iOS 9, WatchOS 2, Mac OS El Capitan Beta 3 Coming Early Next Week

 

[Rich Woods]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Reboot again with both buttons. Then if you can, Hold the side button until you get the power menu. Force press the screen to get Reset All again.

Hope that helps.

Dude you are a life saver

 

[Rich Woods]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Tuesday most likely.

I would bet on Monday. They normally come on Mondays and Eddie Cue has already confirmed that it's coming early next week.

 

[miketko]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

I would bet on Monday. They normally come on Mondays and Eddie Cue has already confirmed that it's coming early next week.

Once it comes out I'll re load my ios9 beta and then my watch will be back.

 

[metllicamilitia]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Man, I was hoping someone found a way to get off watchOS 2 as I've unknowingly gotten myself into a predicament. I preordered Coin a year and a half ago, finally received it. Here's the only issue, I've also upgraded my Watch to watchOS 2. Why the issue? Because watchOS 2 only works with iOS 9, which is still in beta, and Coin doesn't work with beta OS's. So I am stuck between choosing a non syncing card or a non syncing watch. All because I did not think to look ahead and see if Coin worked with beta OS's, it's not something in my normal thought processes.


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[rpol86]

Re: Downgrade watchOS 2 to 1.0.1

Man, I was hoping someone found a way to get off watchOS 2 as I've unknowingly gotten myself into a predicament. I preordered Coin a year and a half ago, finally received it. Here's the only issue, I've also upgraded my Watch to watchOS 2. Why the issue? Because watchOS 2 only works with iOS 9, which is still in beta, and Coin doesn't work with beta OS's. So I am stuck between choosing a non syncing card or a non syncing watch. All because I did not think to look ahead and see if Coin worked with beta OS's, it's not something in my normal thought processes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can send it in to Apple and they will downgrade it for you. I just got mine back today and I sent it out on Wednesday. I did it thru the support chat, they sent me a box to send the watch back in. You can go to a store or call also. Glad I sent it in for the downgrade, glad to have my watch back again that does not die in 5 hrs.