Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic received botched update that bricks some smartwatches

Last month, Samsung released R8xxXXU1GVI3 for the Galaxy Watch4 series, an update that the company claimed would improve 'system stability and reliability'. However, it turns out that the 'GVI3' contains a critical bug for some Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic models. While the update arrived during the first half of October, it has taken almost a month for Samsung to recognise that GVI3 has been bricking some smartwatches.

According to 9to5Google, the issue does not occur immediately. Instead, GVI3 bricks a device when a Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch4 Classic reboots, either manually or because its has run out of power. Unsurprisingly, Samsung has pulled the update, with the older GVH2 build currently the last update for the Galaxy Watch4 series. As the screenshot below shows, Samsung recommends that people contact its customer service line or book a repair with a service centre. For reference, you can book a repair via Samsung's dedicated web portal.

Theoretically, a Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch4 Classic running GVI3 will not brick if it never reboots or runs out of battery. With that being said, either will happen at some stage, so we suspect that Samsung will have to repair all Galaxy Watch4 series models that people updated to GVI3. The company claims that it will release a 'new software update shortly', which may negate the need to send updated devices for repair if they remain unusable.

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