Apple Stores Reported to Get In‑Store Apple Watch Software Restores

The move could cut repair times by keeping more watch recoveries in the shop.

Overview

MacRumors, citing a retail source, reports Apple will equip Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers with a dock that links an Apple Watch to a Mac for full software restores later this month.
Today, watches that cannot be revived via a paired iPhone must be shipped to an Apple Repair Center, which adds days of downtime.
Apple’s wireless iPhone restore, added with watchOS 8.5 and iOS 15.4, only works when a prompt appears and cannot fix boot loops, failed updates, or fully bricked devices.
Early Apple Watch models had a hidden diagnostic port for wired fixes, but Apple removed it starting with Series 7 and shifted to wireless service.
If the reported dock rolls out as described, stores could return some malfunctioning watches the same day, though Apple has not announced the plan.