Installing the watchOS 5.3.1 update may be on your to-do list. Apple released iOS 12.4.1 and with it watchOS 5.3.1. Now you can start preparing. If you haven’t completed these important steps, you should continue upgrading your Apple Watch. It is a long process and you cannot take a step back.
WatchOS 5 brought a lot of important features and this update focused on security fixes, but even without new features, this is an important update and one that you should be prepared for.
Here are the steps we took before upgrading our Apple Watch that will make it easy for you to upgrade to watchOS 5.2.1.
- Make Sure Your Apple Watch Is Backed Up
- Learn About watchOS 5.3.1
- Learn and Install iOS 12.4.1
- Read How watchOS 5 Works on Your Model
- Learn About Fixes for watchOS 5 Issues
- Read watchOS 5.3.1 Reviews
For most users, this upgrade is from watchOS 5 or watchOS 5.3. Either way, this upgrade will be substantial, but not as shocking as upgrading from older versions.
This is what you need to do before installing watchOS 5.
As for properly installing watchOS 5.3.1, you’ll want to be prepared before installing this upgrade. We’ve seen several watchOS 5 issues that even led to a quick watchOS 5.1.1 release to fix the issues. You can’t downgrade your Apple Watch software like you can for iPhone.
We’ve put together a plan you can use to make sure you’re making the best out of the watchOS 5.3.1 upgrade process. These tips will help you avoid problems and keep the transition to watchOS 5.3.
Make Sure Your Apple Watch Is Backed Up
The Apple Watch backup process isn’t the same as backing up your iPhone or iPad, but it isn’t difficult either. With iCloud, even your Health and Fitness data is backed up so you don’t have to worry about losing your achievements or streaks.
To back up your Apple Watch, simply back up your iPhone. This is something you need to do before installing iOS 12.4.1 so it should already be done. If not, double check that you’ve backed up.
To keep your health and fitness data, you need to backup to iCloud or make an encrypted iTunes backup of your iPhone.
Apple Watch backup includes the following items;
It doesn’t include Bluetooth connections from Apple Pay, credit or debit cards, or your Apple Watch Passcode.
Learn About watchOS 5.3.1
Learn about new watchOS 5 features.
The watchOS 5 update is a major upgrade from watchOS 4 and is packed with new features, but if you’re already using watchOS 5, this is a minor update focused on adding some of the best Apple Watch 4 features in more countries and fixing some issues with watch faces. To get started, check out the new watchOS 5 features you’ll get when you upgrade.
This one is totally focused on security so there isn’t a ton to learn. Apple normally releases specific fixes but does not list them for this update.
You’ll also want to learn more about the reasons to install watchOS 5.3.1 and the reasons you should wait. For many users, there are many reasons to install the upgrade as soon as possible, but for some users it is better to wait a week or two.
Learn and Install iOS 12.4.1
To install watchOS 5.3.1 on your Apple Watch, your iPhone must have iOS 12.4.1 installed.
Take a few moments to learn about all the new iOS 12.4 features and other iOS 12.4 issues. If you need help in this area, we also have a guide on what to do before installing iOS 12.4.1.
Once you’ve learned about the iOS 12.4.1 update, read our reasons for installing iOS 12.4.1 and our reasons for not knowing if it’s the right time to upgrade.
Read How watchOS 5.3.1 Works on Your Model
Find out if watchOS 5 works well on older models like Series 1.
The watchOS 5.3.1 update is coming to all Apple Watch models except the original one. Usually upgrades work better on newer devices, so if you have an older Apple Watch like the Series 1, you should do some research on performance.
Let other users upgrade their Apple Watch Series 1 to watchOS 5.3.1 first, and then see if performance, battery life, and apps are working properly. This allows you to upgrade without worrying about these major issues.
Learn About Fixes for watchOS 5.3.1 Issues
Even if you let others take the lead, you can count on some watchOS 5 issues when this update arrives. The Apple Watch seems to be having more issues with updates, including some brick models with the last update.
Read watchOS 5.3.1 Reviews
Read watchOS 5 reviews before upgrading.
If you wait a few days, you can read watchOS 5.3.1 reviews from your friends on social media, Gotta Be Mobile, and other tech reviewers.
Read these watchOS 5.3.
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