watchOS 5.1.1 arrives, fixing issues with fall detection, Walkie-Talkie and Activity awards

Apple today released watchOS 5.1.1, an updated version of the Apple Watch operating system that fixes several bugs. The new software arrived less than a week following a botched watchOS 5.1 beta that was pulled last week after it was found to brick some Series 4 units.

The new watchOS 5.1.1 software carries a build number 16R600.

According to the changelog, the watchOS 5.1.1 software update packs in the same fixes as the original watchOS 5.1 beta that got released then pulled last Tuesday. There are fixes for an Activity medal issue, Walkie-Talkie and fall detection alerts.

Here’s the full changelog:

  • Apple Watch Series 4 automatically contacts emergency services if you are immobile for about a minute after detecting a hard fall. The watch will now also play a message that informs the responder that Apple Watch has detected a fall and shares your location coordinates when possible.
  • Fixes an issue that could cause an incomplete installation of the Walkie-Talkie app for some users
  • Resolves an issue that prevented some users from being able to send or receive invitations on Walkie-Talkie
  • Addresses an issue where some previously earned Activity awards were not showing in the Awards tab of the Activity app for some users

For details on the security content of this update, read Apple’s support document.

watchOS software updates can be downloaded by tapping My Watch → General → Software Update in the companion Watch app on your paired iPhone. To install the update, your watch must be on its charging disk and in range of your iPhone which must be connected to Wi-Fi.

TUTORIAL: How to dramatically speed up Apple Watch updates

Some features may not be available for all users. Apple maintains a per-country availability list of the biggest Apple Watch features on its watchOS Feature Availability webpage.