Apple is currently investigating an issue with some Apple Watch models where the display brightness briefly flickers or “pulses” when the Always On mode is enabled, according to an internal service memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers. While the memo does not specify which Apple Watch models are affected, the issue appears to be most prevalent on the recently released Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models.
Customers have been complaining about this issue on various platforms, including the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community website. The problem seems to persist across all watchOS 10 versions, including the latest release of watchOS 10.0.2.
In response to this issue, Apple is advising service providers not to repair affected watches but instead to advise customers to keep their Apple Watch software up to date. Apple suggests that an upcoming watchOS update will resolve this problem. It remains unclear whether Apple has addressed the issue in watchOS 10.1, which is expected to be released to the public next week.
As a temporary solution, Apple recommends that customers turn off the Always On mode in the Settings app under Display & Brightness.
In addition to the display flickering issue, Apple is also investigating a separate problem where complications like Activity rings on a watch face might “temporarily turn pink.” This issue has also been reported by some customers online in recent weeks.
While Apple has not provided a specific timeline for resolving these issues, it is reassuring to know that the company is actively investigating and working on potential fixes. Apple has a strong track record of addressing software-related issues promptly and delivering timely updates to resolve them.
For now, affected Apple Watch users can try disabling the Always On mode as a temporary workaround until Apple releases an official fix. Keeping watchOS up to date is also important to ensure that your Apple Watch has the latest improvements and bug fixes.