Software update fixes Apple Watch LTE bug

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Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3 owners can now connect to LTE worry-free.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

LTE connectivity problems that have plagued users since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 3 appear to already be over.

Apple released a new update for watchOS today that reportedly fixes the LTE glitch after the wearable went on sale to the public nearly two weeks ago.

Problems with connecting to LTE were first noticed by early Apple Watch Series 3 users. The issue appeared to only affect a limited number of watches. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the issue had to do with the way the watch was handing off signal between WiFi networks and LTE and promised a quick fix.

Apple released watchOS 4.0.1 to the public today that appears to solve the problem. The small update can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app for iPhone via the Software Update section under the General tab.

“watchOS 4.0.1 fixes issues that in rare cases were causing Apple Watch to join unauthenticated (captive) Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in public places like coffee shops and hotels, which direct the user to a web page before the network can be accessed.”

watchOS 4.0.1 is only available for Apple Watch Series 3, so it likely doesn’t contain any other bug fixes or improvements. Apple is working on a big beta update for Apple Watch with watchOS 4.1 that is currently being tested by developers.

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