Apple Withdraws watchOS 11.4 Update, Leaving Users in Limbo

In a surprising turn of events, Apple has retracted its latest update for watchOS 11.4, which was expected to be released alongside other operating system updates, including iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4. The highly anticipated watchOS update, which had already reached the Release Candidate (RC) stage, is now unavailable for download.

On the evening prior, Apple successfully launched updates for several devices, including iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, HomePod OS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. However, the new watchOS version was conspicuously absent from the list, leading to speculation about its status.

The retraction of watchOS 11.4 was unexpected, as many users were anticipating its arrival. Current attempts to update the Watch are met with the message that watchOS 11.3.2 remains the latest version available. Additionally, Apple's security updates webpage solely references this earlier version. Interestingly, while the update is no longer accessible, the release notes for watchOS 11.4 are still visible on Apple's website, adding to the confusion.

According to the release notes from the RC version, watchOS 11.4 was set to introduce several new features. These included support for robotic vacuum cleaners through the Home app, enabling voice automation, a fix for a glitch affecting quick watch face switching, and the ability to have alarms sound loudly even when the device is in silent mode. The update was also expected to include numerous security patches, as seen in the other operating system updates.

The abrupt withdrawal of watchOS 11.4 has raised eyebrows among Apple observers, especially since some media outlets had already reported its availability. It appears that the update may have been briefly accessible before being retracted due to undisclosed issues. As of Tuesday morning, users found that the update was no longer appearing on their devices, neither through the Watch itself nor the companion app on iPhones.

The timing of the updates has also been questioned, as many had anticipated their release in April rather than late March. The deviation from the expected schedule has left many wondering about Apple's internal decision-making processes. Recently, the company has faced challenges in rolling out significant features, most notably the much-anticipated improvements to Siri, which are now not expected before 2026.

Despite the current uncertainty, it is likely that watchOS 11.4 will be reintroduced within the coming days. A comparison of the build number will clarify whether Apple has made any modifications to the update. Users are particularly eager for the alarm feature, as it has been a longstanding issue for many.