The update addresses microphone issues plaguing some Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 units while fixing Spotify streaming problems and squishing other bugs.
- What’s happening? Apple has released watchOS 9.0.2, a bug-fix update.
- Why care? watchOS 9.0.2 addresses two big issues, plus smaller ones.
- What to do? Use Software Update on the Watch itself or the companion Watch app on its paired iPhone to download and install the watchOS 9.0.2. update.
watchOS 9.0.2 fixes Apple Watch bugs
Among other things, the watchOS 9.0.2 update includes improvements and bug fixes for your Apple Watch. Apple’s release notes for watchOS 9.0.2 mention these fixes:
- Interruptions to streaming audio on Spotify
- Snooze alarm alerts continue after the alarm is deleted for AssistiveTouch users
- Incomplete syncing of Wallet and Fitness data for newly paired Apple Watch
- Microphone audio interrupted for some Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra users
For details on the security content of watchOS 9.0.2, visit Apple’s website.
Microphone issues
User complaints ranged from intermittent microphone issues to permanent problems when an app using the device’s onboard microphones, such as Siri or phone calls, would start working altogether. This also caused problems in the stock Noise app which would report a “Measurement Suspended” error, saying the microphone is in use by another app.
These problems were reported by owners of the new Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 8 models. Restarting the device would fix the problem until it raised its ugly head again. Read: How to watch YouTube on Apple Watch
Apple has confirmed there’s nothing wrong with the microphone hardware, and now watchOS 9.0.2 should address your Apple Watch microphone woes.
Problems with Spotify streaming
Another high-profile bug that watchOS 9.0.2 address has to do with Spotify streaming on the watch. watchOS 9.0 broke Spotify streaming, causing Spotify to urge users to steer away from its watchOS app until Apple has fixed the issue.
“Users who are already affected can instead download their content to their Apple Watch and listen offline or stream from their phones,” Spotify said.
The watchOS 9.0.2 release on October 10, 2022, has fixed the Spotify streaming problem, with Apple acknowledging the issue in the release notes for the update. Read: How to fix dictation not working on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac
How to install watchOS 9.0.2
To download and install the watchOS 9.0.2 update over the air, use Apple’s standard Software Update feature in the Watch app on your iPhone or the Watch itself.
In the Watch app:
- On your iPhone, open the companion Watch app
- In the Watch app, touch the My Watch tab.
- Now choose General from the root list.
- Select Software Update.
- Hit Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.
You will be asked for your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode before the download starts. The update could take a while to complete. You can speed up watchOS updates by disabling Bluetooth on the phone at the right time.
On the Watch itself:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Choose General from the root list.
- Select Software Update.
- Hit Install, then follow the onscreen instructions
You must leave the Watch on its charger while the update completes.