Apple Watch owners are discovering that there is no way to rollback from the latest software updates for the device, without incurring charges from Apple.
A series of online forum discussions, including deleted posts on Apple’s own boards, pointed to user dismay with the watchOS 1.0.1 upgrade, which gave users fewer heart rate readings than before. Those who used the device for fitness purposes said the product no longer met their expectations.Because the Apple Watch does not appear to have a Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode accessible to users, those who wanted to return their watch to its original state were told by Apple Care staff to send their device in for repair. Users then found they had been hit with out–of–warranty charges.
The DFU mode on Apple products such as the iPhone and iPad can be discovered by users, although its varied button presses mean it’s not easy to do or something which Apple recommends. Downgrading iOS became a major news story last autumn after Apple’s release of iOS 8.0.1 caused a number of major issues for iPhone owners.
It’s likely that a DFU mode is discoverable, but Apple is unlikely to reveal details unless there are catastrophic issues with the device.
