Skip to main content

Apple outlines AppleCare service process for downgrading from watchOS 2.0 beta

When Apple released the first beta of watchOS 2.0 last month following WWDC, users were surprised to learn that there was no way to downgrade from the beta build to the more stable Watch OS 1.0.1. Users tried a variety of different methods, but were ultimately left with one option: send their Watch into Apple and allow them to do the restore. With today’s launch of watchOS 2.0 beta 3, Apple has officially confirmed that there is no way to downgrade to an earlier version of watchOS without sending your device into Apple.

In a new webpage, accessible only by developers, Apple details that Apple Watch cannot be restored to earlier versions of watchOS without assistance from Apple Support. The company also notes that Apple Authorized Service Providers and Apple retail stores are unable to perform the downgrade process. Instead, users must ship their device to Apple, allow them to downgrade it, and wait for it to come back. It’s unclear how much Apple will charge for the process.

While this issue isn’t huge for beta users, who should have expected stability and performance issues when they upgraded, it creates an interesting predicament for Apple going forward. Should the company push a botched update that causes unavoidable issues to non-developer users, how will it instruct users to restore their device to a stable operating system while the company prepares an update? As Jeremy pointed out last month, Apple has a history of pushing updates that aren’t ready for primetime to users and the inability for users to manually downgrade seems like a major oversight for the company and goes well beyond those wishing to simply downgrade from the beta version of watchOS.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Ryan Morano - 9 years ago

    If I remember correctly, its $229 to send it in.

    • dennyc69 - 9 years ago

      No, it is covered either Apple Care or the Warranty I’m not sure (I didn’t bother to ask). I’ve already had to send my watch to the depot once, and it was free of charge.

      From a developer point of view, its a real pain not to be able to be able to reset the device myself, like the iPhone and iPad. You really have to depend on the simulator when developing a app.
      I would like to assume that Apple will change that process in time. I can’t imagine the lines in front of the stores with watches waiting to be repaired because of a botched update. It would be a PR nightmare.

      The Geniuses at the Apple Stores don’t have the ability to reset the devices, and the employees I spoke to were really wanting to have that ability to be able work on the device without having to send them off the devices.

      Time will tell

  2. Ronald Polanco - 9 years ago

    I sent mine in and it didn’t cost me anything

  3. Andrew Messenger - 9 years ago

    watchOS 2b3 is so much better than the previous two betas just FYI.

  4. I took mine to the Genius Bar for this and they sent it off for no charge.

  5. Phil Randle - 9 years ago

    This is really a non issue. The developer notes explicitly said that you weren’t able to downgrade Watch OS 2.0, so this should only be deployed on an Apple Watch for Beta Testing. With iPhone and iPad software, if there is an issue, Apple keeps the signing window open for a few days after a software launch so you are able to downgrade.

    And even if there was a widespread issue that happened later on, Apple could open that signing window whenever they like and service would be possible inside an Apple Retail Store.

  6. Gene Lowinger - 9 years ago

    So watch owners beware! When the new OS comes out, give it some time for the patsies to work out the bugs 😡.

  7. Tatsumi014 - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on darkmx2000's Blog and commented:
    Wow I really don’t see why they could not build in a way to restore back to a stable build? The iPhone, iPod, Macs can all do this but not the iWatch??? Hopefully they have this fixed by the reslease of OS 2.0 or whatever it’s going to be called by Apple.

  8. fernandofppinto - 9 years ago

    Visit CrazyUDiD.com! Register your device and get access to the iOS 9’s brand new features!
    We are also giving away 2 Apple Watches and other prizes, don’t miss this opportunity!

  9. BETA 3 IS SUCH A MAJOR IMPROVEMNT OVERALL. Just syaing

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com