watchOS 5 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know

The watchOS 5 update isn’t a perfect release for some Apple Watch users. This is what you need to know about watchOS 5 problems.

While it is early, there are already reports of watchOS 5 installation issues and other errors that are annoying and frustrating users. This isn’t widespread, but there are some issues that you should be aware of before you upgrade.

Our guide to watchOS 5 problems will help you understand the biggest issues facing users on day one, and through this month. We’ll be updating the list as fixes arrive and as other problems appear.

We’ll point you to where you need to look to find fixes for these issues and other resources that help you cope with issues. You can also skip right to our guide on how to fix watchOS 5 problems.

watchOS 5 Problems

Some of the watchOS 5 problems are brand new, but others hang on from watchOS 4, and may actually just be general Apple Watch problems.

The early complaints point to watchOS 5 installation problems and errors. the iOS 12 update wasn’t available for all users right away and some users are not immediately seeing the watchOS 5 update. You need to install iOS 12 to get the update on your watch.

Reports indicate the watchOS 5 download times are estimated at 2 hours or more. Some users report not seeing the watchOS 5 update available.

https://twitter.com/Hawapino/status/1041742307308003334

Some users report bad Apple Watch battery life, but it’s still very early and this could be due to any additional housekeeping the update does after installing.

Some scattered reports indicate issues with Bluetooth and other connectivity issues, but nothing major appeared yet.

One problem that users report is that the Walkie-Talkie app is missing on watchOS 5. If this happens, it’s because you deleted the FaceTime app from your iPhone. Another issue is that it will be trying to connect forever.

Look at the Apple discussion forums and this Apple Watch Subreddit to learn about issues that others are running into in real time.

If you haven’t upgraded yet, you can use this list of reasons not to install watchOS 5 and the reasons you should to help decide. Here’s our handy guide on how to upgrade and what to do before installing watchOS 5.

watchOS 5 Feedback

If you are thinking about installing watchOS 5, you should learn more about how it is working for other users. This is especially important on older Apple Watch models like the Series 1 and Series 2.

We detailed the reasons to and not to install watchOS 5, and you can use them to decide for yourself if this is a good update for you to install.

You should also look on YouTube, Apple Discussion Forums, Twitter and reddit, where users will post feedback about how the watchOS 5 update runs for them.

This is the best place to learn about any real world watchOS 5 performance problems and how it handles on the Apple Watch Series 1.

How to Fix watchOS 5 Problems

The good news is that you can fix many watchOS 5 problems on your own without going to an Apple Store. Unfortunately, some fixes will require another watchOS 5 update from Apple.

We’re working on a list of fixes for watchOS 5 problems. In the meantime, check out how to fix common Apple Watch problems. We also have a guide on how to fix bad Apple Watch battery life.

If you have Walkie-Talkie app problems there are some known fixes. If you don’t see the app, go to the App Store on your iPhone and download the FaceTime app. If you deleted it as one of the stock apps you can remove, you can’t use the Walkie Talkie app on your Apple Watch. If you see an error that it is connecting, and it doesn’t get past this, you should turn Airplane mode on your Apple Watch, wait a second and then turn it back off. This should get you back to Walkie Talkie mode.

You can also reach out to Apple Support on Twitter, use chat on Apple.com and check in on the discussion forums.

If nothing fixes your watchOS 5 problems, you can schedule an appointment with the local Apple Store for help. They can diagnose issues and can often help you fix the problem, and if needed offer you a replacement.

You Can’t Downgrade Your Apple Watch

Unlike the iOS 12 update, you cannot downgrade to watchOS 4, so you can’t quickly revert if you run into an issue.

Apple does not support this, even unofficially. If you run into a problem you that completely stops you from using your Apple Watch you will need to go to an Apple Store, call support or wait for the next update.

What’s Next

If you run into issues that don’t go away with the information listed above you’ll need to wait for Apple to deliver a new watchOS update.

Thankfully we already know Apple is working on watchOS 5.1, as it was shown briefly on stage in the fine print when they announced the Apple Watch 4.

Apple also typically releases a smaller update which could be watchOS 5.0.1 soon after the major update. This small upgrade will likely include bug fixes for common watchOS 5 problems.