Apple Releases watchOS 8.1.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Series 7 Charging Issue

Apple today released watchOS 8.1.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 8.1.1 comes three weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.1, an update that added SharePlay Fitness+ group workouts and other features.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch feature
‌‌watchOS ‌8.1.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌. watchOS 8.1.1 is only available for the Apple Watch Series 7.

According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 8.1.1 update addresses an issue that could cause Apple Watch Series 7 models not to charge as expected for some users. Some Apple Watch Series 7 owners have noticed slow charging speeds for their devices, and this update should fix the bug causing the problem.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
55 months ago
Thank you, Apple for this update.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fc4090 Avatar
55 months ago
I believe this update is only for the Apple Watch 7 GPS+Cellular models. OP please correct the posting details.

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TH]Name and information link[/TH]

[TH]Available for[/TH]

[TH]Release date[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]watchOS 8.1.1[/TD]

[TD]Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular)[/TD]
[TD]18 Nov 2021[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
55 months ago
This is only for the Series 7, and may only be for cellular models. If someone sees it on a non-cellular model, can you let me know?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmie Geddes Avatar
55 months ago
not showing on my series 7.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheBuffather Avatar
55 months ago
Surprised MR hasn't updated this article, because this update is only for the "GPS + Cellular" AW7 models ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222').
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boxermansr Avatar
55 months ago
This says it’s for GPS and Cellular but still don’t see it on mine (GPS) Series 7.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)