Apple Watch 9 died after updating to OS 26

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Level 1

13 points

Apple Watch 9 died after updating to OS 26

After updating an Apple Watch 9 stainless steel 45 mm to watchOS 26.1 from the version before os26. It first worked well, then next day had fast battery drains and after trying to reset the watch, the chip died, according to Apple repair. It was out of warranty and I had to pay for a refurbished replacement watch, costing me roughly 14000 Taiwan dollar, almost 500 Us$!

Really a bummer, as the watch was barely 2 years old and worked without an issue prior to the upgrade. Anybody had a similar issue? I feel not good at all!

Apple Watch Series 9, watchOS 26

Posted on Nov 12, 2025 12:12 AM

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Answer 1

joerg276 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 17, 2025 3:04 AM in response to joerg276

I got a call from

Apple repair and they told me my watch actually had Apple care and refunded the money. On the website my watch was listed as out of warranty. But I actually had forgotten I bought Apple Care as I usually do. That care was running out end of November. Very strange. Anyway I’m happy I got the money back and will get a refurbished watch in about 10 days.

By now I had read a few other people had similar watch issues after upgrading watch 9.

So I suggest be careful and if you see the first signs of trouble after upgrading to Watch OS 26, just run to Apple repair without doing anything like reset unpair etc.

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Answer 2

joerg276 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 12, 2025 1:44 PM in response to joerg276

Yes, I know. I usually do Apple care. But I got this watch as a present and forgot to do it. My watch dying so just happened one week before the Apple care would have expired too. They give only 2 years for Apple Watches.

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