Apple released watchOS 11.5 on May 12, 2025, delivering several new features and security fixes—but not without a few headaches. Since the update rolled out, some Apple Watch users have reported everything from battery life problems to installation failures and unresponsive apps. If your Apple Watch has started misbehaving after updating to 11.5, you’re not alone.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to fixing common watchOS 11.5 issues, along with insight into what this update changes and why some problems are cropping up.
Battery Drain After Updating to watchOS 11.5
A top complaint among users—especially those with Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8—is excessive battery drain after installing the update. Some users have seen their battery drop by 30–40% faster than normal, even during light use.
Fixes You Can Try:
- Restart Both Devices: Power off your Apple Watch and iPhone, then power them back on after a few minutes.
- Disable Live Activities: On your iPhone, go to Settings > FaceTime > Live Activities and toggle it off, which may reduce Watch notifications.
- Reset Sync Data: In the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to General > Reset > Reset Sync Data. This can fix lingering background issues.
- Unpair and Re-pair: A full unpair-repair cycle can refresh the system and eliminate rogue processes draining your battery.
Battery recalibration may take up to 48 hours after the update, so give it some time before assuming your battery is permanently affected.
Installation Problems & Stuck Updates
If your Apple Watch is stuck on “Preparing” or the update keeps failing, you’re likely running into one of the most common upgrade bugs. VPNs and connection errors are frequently to blame.
Fixes You Can Try:
- Disable Your VPN: VPNs on your iPhone can interfere with watchOS updates. Disable them temporarily before updating.
- Free Up Storage: Ensure your watch has at least 2GB of free space. You can check this under Settings > General > Usage.
- Charge Up: Make sure your Watch is charged to at least 50% and remains on its charger during the update.
- Use the Watch App: The most reliable method is using your iPhone’s Watch app > General > Software Update.
If all else fails, unpair the watch, reset your iPhone’s network settings, and try the update again.
App Freezing and UI Glitches
Post-update, some users have encountered buggy behavior such as frozen complications, lagging animations, or apps not launching correctly.
Fixes You Can Try:
- Force Restart the Watch: Hold the Digital Crown and side button together until you see the Apple logo.
- Update Apps: Open the App Store on your Apple Watch or iPhone and check for app updates. Many third-party apps require optimization for the latest OS version.
- Reduce Motion Effects: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Reduce Motion on your watch and enable it to smooth out performance.
What’s New in watchOS 11.5
Even with its bugs, watchOS 11.5 brings several notable improvements that make the update worthwhile once the kinks are ironed out:
Pride Harmony Watch Face
Released in time for Pride Month, this dynamic, abstract design reflects the colors of the Pride flag and supports always-on display. On Apple Watch Series 10, it even keeps the second hand visible in ambient mode.
Apple TV Purchase Integration
You can now authorize Apple TV purchases directly from your watch—on third-party platforms like Android TVs or smart devices that support Apple’s TV app.
Bug Fixes
watchOS 11.5 resolves a long-standing bug that prevented iPhone notifications from showing when your Watch finished charging—something that frustrated many users trying to keep tabs on their battery.
Security Enhancements
Apple tightened up vulnerabilities in WebKit, CoreAudio, and the kernel. These under-the-hood improvements are part of ongoing hardening against zero-day exploits.
How to Install watchOS 11.5
If you haven’t updated yet or are trying to reinstall after a failed attempt, follow these steps:
- Place your Apple Watch on its charger.
- Ensure it’s at least 50% charged.
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Download and install watchOS 11.5.
Make sure both your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and keep them near each other during the entire process.
Is This the Last Update Before watchOS 12?
Yes. watchOS 11.5 is widely expected to be the final major release before Apple unveils watchOS 12 at WWDC in June 2025. So if you’re seeing bugs now, Apple may release a small 11.5.1 patch in the interim—but otherwise, most major changes are being saved for the next generation.
Until then, use these fixes to get your Apple Watch running smoothly—and keep an eye on WWDC for what’s next.
Key Takeaways
- Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch to fix most common watchOS 11.5 issues.
- Turn off VPN on your iPhone before attempting to install watchOS updates.
- Check your battery settings and disable Live Activities to improve battery life after updating.
Common watchOS 11.5 Problems and Solutions
WatchOS 11.5 brings several improvements but also comes with a few issues that users have reported. These range from installation hiccups to battery life concerns and app performance problems that can affect your daily Apple Watch use.
Installation and Update Failures
Many users struggle with getting watchOS 11.5 installed properly on their Apple Watch. If your update is stuck or won’t download, try these fixes:
Check your connection – Make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch have strong Wi-Fi or cellular connections.
Restart both devices – Sometimes a simple restart of both your watch and paired iPhone can resolve update issues.
Free up storage space – WatchOS updates require available storage. Delete unused apps or media to make room.
Update your iPhone first – Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version as watchOS updates often require current iOS software.
If your watch shows “Unable to Install Update,” try placing it on its charger and make sure it has at least 50% battery. For stubborn problems, unpair and re-pair your watch with your iPhone as a last resort.
Connectivity Issues
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection problems are common after watchOS updates. These issues can prevent notifications and affect features that rely on your iPhone.
Quick fixes for connectivity problems:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off on both devices
- Restart your Apple Watch by holding the side button and Digital Crown
- Reset Network Settings on your iPhone (this will remove saved Wi-Fi networks)
- Unpair and re-pair your watch when all else fails
If your watch keeps disconnecting from your iPhone, check for interference from other Bluetooth devices nearby. Some users have found that disabling and re-enabling Bluetooth on their iPhone helps maintain a stable connection.
For Wi-Fi issues, try forgetting the network on your iPhone and reconnecting both devices.
Battery Drain and Power Reserve Mode
One of the most common complaints after the watchOS 11.5 update is excessive battery drain. Many Series 7 users report their watches depleting much faster than normal.
To improve battery life after updating:
- Wait 24-48 hours after updating for battery life to stabilize
- Check for background app refresh and disable for non-essential apps
- Reduce wake screen time in Watch settings
- Turn off always-on display temporarily
- Restart your watch to clear any processes causing drain
If your watch frequently enters Power Reserve Mode, this indicates severe battery issues. Try a complete shutdown and restart. In some cases, the battery drain resolves itself after a few days as the watch optimizes the new software.
For persistent battery problems, check if any recently updated apps might be the culprit by looking at battery usage in the Watch app.
App Performance and Crashes
After installing watchOS 11.5, you might notice apps taking longer to load or crashing unexpectedly. The Music app and Messages are particularly affected for some users.
Try these solutions for app issues:
- Force close problematic apps by pressing the side button, finding the app, then swiping right and tapping the X
- Restart your Apple Watch to clear temporary files and memory
- Reinstall troublesome apps by deleting and downloading them again
- Check for app updates in the App Store, as developers often release patches for compatibility
For native apps like Messages or Weather that can’t be reinstalled, try toggling them off in the Watch app on your iPhone, restarting both devices, then enabling them again. The latest watchOS 11.5 update includes fixes for notification reliability, which might help with app-related notification problems.
Advanced Troubleshooting and Support Resources
When standard fixes don’t solve your watchOS 11.5 problems, you may need deeper solutions or direct help from Apple. These more advanced approaches can address persistent issues that basic troubleshooting can’t fix.
Security, Stability, and Malware Concerns
Apple Watch systems are designed to be secure, but issues can still arise after updating to watchOS 11.5. Some users have reported random reboots and battery drain problems with this update, especially in the beta versions.
To address security concerns:
- Check for additional updates: Apple often releases small security updates shortly after major releases to fix bugs.
- Reset your watch settings (not content): Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Monitor for unusual behavior: Slow performance or unexpected battery drain might indicate system problems.
Unlike iPhones, Apple Watches are less susceptible to malware, but system instability can occur. If your watch shows persistent problems after the update, try unpairing and re-pairing it with your iPhone. This creates a fresh connection that often fixes stubborn issues.
How to Contact Apple Support and Submit Feedback
When your watchOS 11.5 problems persist, reaching out to Apple directly is your best option. Apple offers several ways to get help:
Contact options:
- Apple Support app: Download on your iPhone for direct access to support
- Phone support: Call 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273)
- Online chat: Visit support.apple.com
- Genius Bar: Schedule an in-person appointment at an Apple Store
You can also submit feedback about watchOS 11.5 bugs through the Feedback Assistant app if you’re a developer. For regular users, use the Apple Support app to report issues.
Remember that Apple has an unsolicited idea submission policy. When reporting bugs, stick to describing the problem rather than suggesting specific solutions to avoid complications with intellectual property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Watch users often face challenges when updating to watchOS 11.5. These common questions address update failures, connectivity issues, and restart procedures that can help solve problems quickly.
What steps can be followed to troubleshoot update issues on Apple Watch Series 7?
If your Apple Watch Series 7 won’t update to watchOS 11.5, try these steps:
First, make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch have enough battery power (at least 50%).
Check that your devices are close to each other and connected to Wi-Fi. Sometimes, updating through the Watch app manually can fix issues when the automatic update fails.
If problems continue, restart both devices. This often clears temporary glitches that block updates.
Where can I find solutions for common watchOS 11.5 update problems discussed on forums like Reddit?
Reddit’s r/AppleWatch and r/watchOS communities offer helpful tips for update issues.
Users share fixes for problems like update failures and battery drain after installing watchOS 11.5. The Apple Support Communities also contain threads about watchOS 11.5 update problems with solutions from both users and Apple experts.
Check these forums by searching “watchOS 11.5 issues” to find recent discussions about your specific problem.
How do I update my Apple Watch when it won’t pair with my iPhone?
When pairing issues prevent updates, try these fixes:
Turn on Airplane Mode on both devices, then turn it off again. This resets the connection.
Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. If problems continue, unpair and repair your watch.
To unpair, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, select your watch, tap the info button, and choose “Unpair Apple Watch.” After repairing, you can attempt the software update again.
What should I do if my Apple Watch fails to check for a software update due to an internet connectivity issue?
Connection problems often block updates. Try these solutions:
Connect your iPhone to a strong, stable Wi-Fi network. Cellular data isn’t recommended for watch updates.
Move closer to your Wi-Fi router to ensure a strong signal. Sometimes, clearing network settings on your iPhone can help resolve hidden connectivity issues.
If these steps fail, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or create a hotspot with another device.
How can I restart my Apple Watch to resolve update problems?
Restarting your Apple Watch often fixes update issues:
Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the watch.
After the watch turns off completely, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
For a force restart when the watch is unresponsive, press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
What is the proper procedure to restore watchOS if an update does not complete successfully?
When an update fails completely, you may need to restore your watch:
Contact Apple Support, as Apple Watches cannot be restored at home like iPhones.
If your watch is stuck on the Apple logo or in a boot loop after a failed watchOS 11.5 update, you’ll likely need to send it to Apple for service.
For watches stuck in update mode but still responsive, try placing it on the charger and waiting several hours, as some updates can take much longer than expected.
