I installed watchOS 2 without updating to the iOS 9 beta. I did not think about how I would downgrade my watch. Is it possible to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I don't think watchOS 2 works with iOS 8.3.
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I installed watchOS 2 without updating to the iOS 9 beta. I did not think about how I would downgrade my watch. Is it possible to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I don't think watchOS 2 works with iOS 8.3.
Any joy on this
I need to downgrade as well. iOS 9 didn't agree with my backups at all, so it just kept crashing and was unusable. I downgraded back to 8.3 but then realized it made my watch unusable, so I went back to 9 and set up as a new phone.
Less buggy now, but I couldn't restore my backup, which drives me nuts. Would be awesome to be able to downgrade watch back to 1.0.1.
I am sure there must be a way to downgrade the watch back to watchOS 1.0.1.
I too maybe wanting to do this... at this point too many apps on iOS 9 crash. : (
... I mean, it is beta 1... the buggiest beta of them all : p
In the watch app there is a profile for the beta release. Theorizing that maybe it would restore to latest non beta if the profile was deleted first? Last resort would be take it to apple store and have them restore it possibly if that goes wrong ? Totally guessing here.
I have been wondering as well. I might want to downgrade my phone but I cannot do that until I have a way to downgrade the watch. I was hoping Apple would post a solution to this when they posted the beta OS.
[UPDATE]: So after further research, you are not able to downgrade to 1.0.1 officially, and nobody has yet to figure out a work around. If you want a useable watch, you are going to have to stay on iOS 9, which I am not thrilled about, but iOS 9 works well enough that I can live with it. I am sure the next beta for the watch and iOS 9 will be a lot better.
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Removing the profile only does nothing, because the system is installed already; it might even prevent you from future beta updates, which is even worse.
I'm still looking for a way to downgrade, but until we get a full watchOS 1 firmware, and a way to install it, I think that nothing can be done.
My concern is not about iOS 9 or bugs, but battery life on the Watch with watchOS 2 beta seems worse than before; am I the only one facing this?
The guy at the store mentioned to me they could flash the demo watches. He also said there were no hardware differences to demo watches. The inly diff was the app they could install that ran on a loop.
Perhaps they could flash back to 1.0.1.
Probably they use the hidden service port, but some say that opening that voids the waterproofing certification. I might be wrong :D
However I can't try that, I'm in Italy and here the Watch isn't in stores yet. If you manage to ask at the Store, please let us know!
Facing the same battery issue...
I have 2 phones. If I can I will try to swap to 8.3 without doing anything else.
I made sure that when I installed iOS 9, I would leave the Watch OS alone, and thankfully, I did. I'm satisfied with the OS as-is and am not in a rush to upgrade to OS 2.0 just yet.
You mean trying to connect your Watch with watchOS 2 to a iOS 8.3 iPhone? It might not be recognized at all, but I couldn't try that myself.
Maybe doing so and removing the certificate might do something.
To early for me to update to 2.0
Yeah. I am un-pairing from 9.0 phone.
Will try to pair with 8.3 phone.
Assuming un-pairing erases phone including cert.
Will let you know.
No go.
Attachment 82885
That's too bad! What about iOS 8.4?
I doubt it. I can't test that. One phone stays non beta.
Sure, but probably that wouldn't work too. And it's really unlikely that it would downgrade watchOS too.
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.
Let me know and I will try the local store here
Battery life is bad now. Eager for updates now. :)
were you on 2.0 and then able to downgrade?
If you unpaired your iPhone from your Watch before updating, then it can be done, as a separate backup is saved every time the two devices are unpaired.
On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings
Wait for the watch to reset, then pair it as if it were brand new. Once paired, the app on your iPhone will ask you whether you want to set it up as new, or restore from a backup. Tap restore, and choose your watchOS 1.0.1 backup. This will downgrade the software.
It took me a whole day to figure out, but it worked!
This will only work if you unpaired your iPhone from your Apple Watch BEFORE updating to watchOS 2.0 and you must have iOS 9 installed.
That's great!
Now we'd need a way to share backups then :D
Great! Unfortunately my backups were both on 2.0.
Can you please share a backup on 1.0.1?
So I couldn't say, use a friend who's running iOS 8.3 and use their back up to restore my watch? How about if I upgraded their device to iOS 9 and used that to restore watchOS 1.01? Afterwards I could surely reinstall iOS 8.3 and restore their phone from a back up?
EDIT: I've just used the steps above without a friends iPhone. An Apple Watch backup is created both once you unpair the watch and also when you pair the device initially. I restored my phone to iOS 8.3 (from 9) and restored from an iCloud backup on the 7th June. This contained an Apple Watch backup too.
I restored the watch, paired the two and restored the watch from a back up. THIS DOES NOT WORK.
Didn't work
Oh this is good news. I tried using another phone with 8.3 only. Going to do this method now as i do have a 1.0.1 backup!
Hopeful because I had un-paired on 8.3 prior to 9.0 upgrade I do have that 1.0.1 backup.
You are amazing!! Thank you for figuring this out. Quick question, when you paired your wifes watch to iOS 9 did it do anything to her watch like reset it or anything? Or does it just make a backup and she can then simply pair it back with her phone like nothing happened.
I can confirm that this doesn't work unfortunately. I too had a 1.0.1 backup. Reset the watch, paired to phone and restored backup. Still on OS2
Funny thing was that I lost the additional watch faces?
Im trying restoring back from my 2.0 backup now to get them back!
Have any of the guys above actually got this to work?
Ok: here is what happened for me:
- in 8.3, i had un-paired watch. 1.0.1 backup created
- upgraded phone to 9.0, watch to 2.0
- un-paired watch, 2.0 backup created
- used second phone and attempted pair. Got message saying 'needs update first'
- paired back with 9.0 phone
- seeing this post, un-paired watch, another 2.0 backup created
- paired with same 9.0 phone, chose 1.0.1 backup. It did restore BUT the watch OS is still in 2.0!
Going to re-read reported method and see if I did anything different that I can change in this process.
Question for those reporting success: what version is watch reporting in settings?
I skipped the reset all settings step on watch described here.
http://www.francescocrema.it/telefon...watchos-1-0-1/
Trying it now.
from reddit
"Was running terribly on my 42mm SS.
I restored my iPhone 6+ back to iOS 8.3 through iTunes, and restored a backup from last week sometime. I then downloaded the IPSW again for iOS 9 from IMZDL. I flashed this via iTunes but instead of doing a restore, I held Option (on Mac) and did an update, so it kept my 8.3 content from last week.
I was then able to re-pair with my watch and instead of setting it up as new, I pressed restore backup on to Watch, it picked up a backup from end of May when I got it.
Job done, going to set it up as new, but with the 1.0.1 software, because 2 is so so crap on battery!
6+ on iOS 9 Mac on El Capitan Watch on 1.0.1
Not having an accessible tethered port really is a PITA!"
Trying this now also
thanks so much all!! anxiously waiting on how it works out.
i have try that restore from backup(os1.0/1.0.1)
they also don't work
What about the config profile that was installed on the phone? Maybe that needs to be removed first?
What about
* unpair (watch 2.0 and Phone on iOS9)
*set backup on iPhone with iOS8.3 and watch backup with 1.01
*Delete profile
*Go to iOS9 with phone and pair and restore watch....
No good for me yet. Still 2.0. Going to remove all 3rd party apps. Theory is they are malfunctioning and sucking up battery.
This doesn't work. You get an error that you need an update.
here are the methods that i try,they also doesn't work
current:watch os 2,ios9
1.unpair them and restore from backup os1.0.1/1.0 (after restore it keep os2)
2.first erase all the content and setting on watch then repair them
2a)set up as new(keep os2)
2b)restore from backup os1.0.1/1.0 (same as above)
3.downgrade my iPhone to 8.3,it don't allow me to pair
Does anyone think that the profile "watchOS 2 beta" installed in settings under general is what is preventing the watch from going back? Has anyone tried removing the profile before trying any of the recommended steps?
but I cannot find that profile "watchOS 2 beta" anymore...
How would you remove the profile?
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if you select it there is an option to delete it. dont you see that? it should be there. This has to be what is stopping it from going back to 1.01. Its at least worth a shot.
in Settings>General towards the bottom right above the reset option you should see "profile". If you select it there is an option to delete it. I am at work so i cant try all the steps until later today. Its worth a shot though. thoughts?
Removing the profile makes no differenct, once the OS2 is installed it is there. Even removing the profile from the iPhone does not allow to reinstall 1.0.1.
All with 9
- Reset all content and settings
- Removed profile from phone
- Repair choosing 1.0.1
Still see 2.0 on watch
Any luck instore?
I saw in another thread it counts as a "out of warranty repair" he was checking on price
Can you post link to thread?
Yes my friend! Took it into Bath Apple Store today. I explained what I'd done and the genius explained that it had to be sent away as they didn't have access to the diagnostic port.
Watch has been sent away ( :( ) but should be back with me in a couple of days to a week. No more questions asked and no other charges.
Was more happy with it being sent away to be 'flashed' than being stuck with a useless watch. Try your local Apple Store if you can't get it to work :)
Did you book in to the Genius Bar or just go in?
Historically the first beta's are 14days.. So it's a toss up, be without a watch for a week? Or keep watch as is and hope beta 2 fixes issues... Hmmm
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Yeah, its going to be a long 2 weeks. My watch no longer taps/notifies me for anything so its pretty much useless now.
I believe the profile is on the watch. I don't see anyway to remove it from the watch.
It is my opinion that everyone saying it worked for them hasn't checked the version in their about.
I will report back if battery is improved any by not using 3rd party apps. Since I have restored a few times today, may not have the best comparison from yesterday's terrible battery life.
If you restart it the taps come back briefly before not working again. Not the best workaround.
I'm having the exact same problem. Can't downgrade even with backup the Watch will stay on 2.0. Has anyone tried to connect the Apple Watch with an iPhone running iOS 8.4 Beta 3 or Beta 4? Because the battery life on iOS 9 (iPhone 6) is horrible. I lose 2% per minute while on screen.
Otherwise I have to return the Apple Watch and order the 42mm version (I have 38mm and think this is a good chance since the 38mm is too small for me) but will Apple let me return the watch? Or will they send me the device back because it's not under the warranty?
One person above went to the store and they sent the watch to be flashed as out of warranty repair.
Oh boy. No third party apps installed. Using only 3 glances. 4% battery in 30 min. You would think it's a Moto 360!
I didn't as, for some reason, there were none at my store until Saturday. Walked in around 12:30 and was given an appointment for 15:15. My store isn't normally too busy in the week so I was happy to head off and come back! :)
Well my friend, that is something that I had to consider. But I'd rather know that the problem is being fixed than not knowing what to do with it. The store was more than obliging to do so as well :)
True, I might just bite the bullet and send it in..
Hey man. Working on something that could be big. I'll let you know if it's successful.
There is currently potential for people that have access to an extra apple watch, or that have an iOS 8.3 backup with a backup of Watch OS 1.0.1.
Essentially, you would downgrade to 8.3, restore from your backup with the 1.0.1 backup, then do a Shift+Check For Update, select the iOS 9 Beta ipsw (DO NOT CLICK RESTORE) so that it keeps your settings during the update, then pair your apple watch on OS 2 beta and select restore from backup. Select the backup with OS 1.0.1 and you should be set.
Again, I'll let you know if what I'm working on pans out, which should allow anyone to downgrade.
Edit: Fails all around. When you restore from a 1.0.1 backup, people are thinking it took them back to 1.0.1 because it doesn't show the 2 new watch faces unless you select the +Add option. Looks like we have to wait it out and accept the fact that Apple says, "Zero fun allowed with your Apple Watches! If you want to play with one on beta software, spend another $400 minimum!"
Lesson learned. (And of course I know it's Beta and of course I expected it to be buggy. I just wanted to try it out for a few days, not realizing that it couldn't be restored to a stable OS like every other product they have ever released. Before now, there really hasn't been any risk involved with trying betas out, but I see they've decided to take a different path this time.
Sorry, tried this one earlier to no avail! Thanks for sharing though :)
That's what I thought. They did it for free with no questions asked too so just did it :)
It won't work with iOS 8.4. They were clear that WatchOS 2 only works with iOS 9.
Also, isn't there a recovery mode? For example, if I shut off my iPhone, I can hold down the home button and plug it into a PC running iTunes and it puts it into recovery mode and downloads and installs the most recent firmware.
Nothing to plug in to on the watch. At least for us.
I am currently on the phone with Apple and there is apparently a way to go about this. The tech is trying to find an article that he can email me. If this is the case I will be sharing it shortly.
Nice! Hopefully it's not a link to this thread..:)
https://ipsw.me/watch
Here are all the original firmware files....
I just lost connection with him, but so far he is suggesting that I have to reset the app as new using the watch app on the phone, but then I lost connection and I have yet to have him call back.
Interesting, so maybe unpair phone. Revert to current ios and set up as new. Then try to pair watch?
The only issue is the watch wont pair on a device that has lower than 9. So it would have to be a new install of 9
I tried that with my Dad's iPhone and it was unable to pair because he is on 8.3.
What about a fresh install of ios9?
Lol all of you jumping to ios9. :) I learned my lesson back on 7. There's no real features that I want right now with iOS 9 or the new watch OS. I'll wait for the fall update
How in tarnations do you put a firmware on the watch?
lol, I was hoping you knew..
so are you gonna call them back or....
I'm pretty sure that like the iPhone's OS, once it's upgraded and is non-beta, you're stuck with it.
I know there were some workarounds on the older OS for iPhone but they've locked down a lot since then.
I called them back, and it looks like there is no way to have it done. I suppose the only option is to stick it out two weeks, or have a watch that is not useable. I may still wear my watch for the time/activity, and then manually add steps to the Health App. I will then try iOS 9 on beta 2 and see if there is any improvements.
Separate line of thinking on battery: Looking at the dev forums, since launch a few have had battery issues.
The theory is the watch is struggling to find wifi. Some say resetting network settings on phone fixed it for them. Others said unrelated phone replacement did it. Possibly for same reason. I just reset my network and I believe it is better. Will report in an hour or so. Harmless thing to try.
Not sure whether anyone's tried using those firmware files that were posted? Have sent my watch to Apple to be reset so cannot try them out. Perhaps Airdrop - like the config. file?
ill try the same, 49% right now
Has anyone tried Xcode? I am wondering if that will work since you get the UDID for the watch to register it as a developer maybe there is a way thru there to install it.
Not getting better results after reset network. Still 4-5% per 30 min.
You would have thought that Apple would have had the common sense to solve a problem like this simply? A sort of DFU mode for Watch, allowing it to be connected to iTunes. Guess these things can get overlooked...
Have the same problem with my Apple Watch...
Just try to find how can I send the firmware file to AW and look for the app for Bluetooth 4 LE (I can't post links, so find yourself LightBlue in the AppStore) and try to connect from the app to my AW in pairing mode.
So, I can pair with code on AW display and see several values, advertised by AW through BT:
Attachment 82965 Attachment 82966
If we'll find AW exchange protocol, than we can upload firmware directly to AW!
Also, it works from my Macbook Pro 13" late 2012 with BT 4 LE:
Attachment 82967
yesterday my battery life was awful on watch.
today I took it off at 7.26am and it is now 7.36pm and I am down to 43% with standard usage.
I think it is slightly worse but better than yesterday
What I noticed though was I did a fresh install on the watch then restored a backup. I had to go through all apps and turn them off then turn them on again. iOS9 is getting me annoyed more than the watchOS.
I would like to point out that iOS backups have never stored the firmware in their backups and it only stores your settings and data. You can safely assume the watch backups are the same so trying to restore the watch backup is not going to do anything to the firmware.
I am at exactly the same, maybe after all the restores and network setting resets it helped.
Im really surprised all of you are having so much trouble on Watch OS 2. I pulled mine of the charger at 8am this morning. Its now 2PM and I am at 75%, pretty typical. Also, my taps and notifications are working fine. I did a complete setup from scratch after the OS2 install, dunno if that made a difference.
I'm willing to try that!
There has to be a way to do this. There has to be a recovery mode that will allow you to pair it with a phone that will download and install the OS. That's why recovery modes exist, so if through some software issue, the device is rendered unusable, you can download a fresh image and install it. They have it on Mac and they have it on iOS. Why wouldn't they have it on WatchOS? Also, I would think iMore would have written something about this by now
Weird thing that I just reported to Apple;
I see now on my Macbook that bluetooth is connected (three dots).. Pressing the icon show no device, but going to System profiler I see that Apple Watch is connected actively to my Mac for no reasons!
Here the result: (sorry, Italian language)
Dispositivi (abbinati, configurati, ecc.):
Apple Watch:
Indirizzo: 78-9F-70-81-BD-49
Indirizzo casuale: No
Servizi:
Abbinato: No
Configurato: Ś
Connesso: Ś
Tipo di dispositivo: A basso consumo
AFH: Attivo
Mappa AFH: ffff0f0010
RSSI: -78
Ruolo: Centrale
Modalità connessione: Modalità attiva
Intervallo: 0 ms
Pretty weird..
Can you try to open iTunes and look for Apple Watch there? :)
Wasn't even on purpose. I upgraded the watch and forgot to unpair it first. It stayed paired, but nothing was working. Nothing would sync over to the watch. Unpaired the watch, paired setup as a new watch and its been working fine since.
if only it was that easy...
Nothing shown in iTunes ..
I am reserving judgement until tonight but i got 3-4 % in last hour after un-pair, create as new.
