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watchOS
The word "watchOS" in black San Francisco neo-grotesque sans-serif font
A customized watch face on watchOS 6
DeveloperApple
Written in
OS family
Unix-like, iOS based on Darwin
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed, with open-source components
Initial releaseApril 24, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-04-24)
Latest release26.0.2[1] (September 29, 2025; 24 days ago (2025-09-29)) [±]
Latest preview26.1 Beta 4[2] (October 20, 2025; 3 days ago (2025-10-20)) [±]
Marketing targetSmartwatch
Available in45 languages[3][4]
Update methodOTA (via iPhone 5+ running iOS 8.2+)
Supported platforms
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
Default
user interface		Cocoa Touch (GUI)
LicenseProprietary software except for open-source components
Official websiteapple.com/watchos
Articles in the series
iOS
iPadOS
macOS
visionOS
tvOS

watchOS is the operating system of the Apple Watch, developed by Apple. It is based on iOS, the operating system used by the iPhone, and has many similar features.[5] It was released on April 24, 2015, along with the Apple Watch, the only device that runs watchOS. watchOS exposes an API called WatchKit for developer use.

The second version, watchOS 2, included support for native third-party apps and other improvements, and was released on September 21, 2015.[6][7][8] The third version, watchOS 3, was released on September 13, 2016, to emphasize better performance and include new watch faces and stock apps. The fourth version, watchOS 4, was released on September 19, 2017. The fifth version, watchOS 5, was released on September 17, 2018,[9] to add more third-party support and new workouts, along with the "Walkie-Talkie" feature.[10] The sixth version, watchOS 6, was released on September 19, 2019.[11] The seventh version, watchOS 7, was released on September 16, 2020, to support handwashing and sleep tracking.[12][13] The eighth version, watchOS 8, was released on September 20, 2021, with updates in health monitoring, visuals, and apps.[14] The ninth version, watchOS 9, was released on September 12, 2022. The tenth version, watchOS 10, was released on September 18, 2023. The 11th version, watchOS 11, was released on September 16, 2024. The 12th and current version, watchOS 26, was released on September 15, 2025.

Interface overview

[edit]

The home screen, rendered by and also known as "Carousel",[5] consists of circular application icons that can be zoomed in and out with the Digital Crown and launched by touching the display, allowing users to access their favorite apps.

Prior to watchOS 3, "Glances" offered quick access to summaries of the most frequently used native and third-party applications.[15] The Glances view was opened with a swipe-up gesture from the watch face screen. In watchOS 3, Glances were replaced with a redesigned Control Center that mirrors the functionality seen in iOS, providing a more unified experience across Apple devices. The Control Center is accessed with a swipe-up gesture from the watch face screen. Additionally, the friends menu, previously activated with the side button, was repurposed as a dedicated dock for apps, enhancing multitasking and app management.

Prior to watchOS 7, different actions and options appeared depending on whether the user taps or deep-presses, detected with the pressure-sensitive (Force Touch) Display.[16] Force Touch was completely removed in watchOS 7, and all actions requiring the feature were moved to specific options in the Settings app or to long-press actions.[17] With the launch of watchOS 7, Force Touch technology was phased out. This feature was replaced by additional options in the Settings app and extended press gestures to accommodate all necessary interactions, making it more consistent with other Apple devices that do not support Force Touch.

Supported health metrics

[edit]

Since its inception, watchOS has supported an increasing number and variety of health metrics for measurement and tracking. These include:

  • heart rate
  • maximal aerobic capacity, otherwise known as VO2 max. (added in watchOS 4,[18] enhanced in watchOS 7[19][20][21])
  • electrocardiogram, otherwise known as EKG or ECG (added in watchOS 5.1.2[22])
  • blood oxygen saturation, otherwise known as SpO2 (added in watchOS 7[19])
  • menstrual cycle status (added in watchOS 6[23])
  • sleep duration & respiratory rate tracking (added in watchOS 7[24][25])
  • body temperature tracking (added in watchOS 9[26])
  • sleep apnea detection (added in watchOS 11[27])

HealthKit

[edit]
Main article: HealthKit

For several years, Apple has been developing its HealthKit product in an attempt to penetrate the lucrative healthcare and wellness industry, which CB Insights believe holds a huge growth opportunity for Apple.[28] This was confirmed by Jony Ive, Apple's former chief designer, in an interview. He said that health was a crucial element in the Apple Watch since the day of its inception and that the developmental trajectory of the hardware and the watchOS were geared towards health-based capabilities.[29] Ive pointed out that one of the primary apps that shipped with the first watchOS allowed users to track and communicate as well as encourage them to move, exercise, and stand. He said:

Many of us have our phones with us all the time, but they aren't connected to you. Imagine having something this powerful with you at all times, and what opportunities that might present to the user. The opportunity is phenomenal. Particularly when [you] don't understand just where we are today in terms of technology and capability, but where we are headed.[29]

Applications have been developed for watchOS that not only keep users active but also diagnose illnesses. For example, the app called DeepHeart, a deep-learning network that can detect atrial fibrillation, hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes.[30] It taps into the HealthKit platform to collect data, particularly those collected by the Apple Watch's heart sensor.[31]

Version history

[edit]

Overview

[edit]
Overview of watchOS versions
Version Initial release date Latest version Build number Latest release date Device end-of-life
Apple Watch iPhone
watchOS 1 April 24, 2015 Unsupported: 1.0.1 12S632 May 19, 2015 — —
watchOS 2 September 21, 2015 Unsupported: 2.2.2 13V604 July 18, 2016
watchOS 3 September 13, 2016 Unsupported: 3.2.3 14V753 July 19, 2017 5, 5C
watchOS 4 September 19, 2017 Unsupported: 4.3.2 15U70 July 9, 2018 1st —
watchOS 5 September 17, 2018 Unsupported: 5.3.9 16U693 November 5, 2020 — 5S, 6
watchOS 6 September 19, 2019 Unsupported: 6.3 17U216 December 14, 2020 Series 1, Series 2 —
watchOS 7 September 16, 2020 Unsupported: 7.6.2 18U80 September 13, 2021 — —
watchOS 8 September 20, 2021 Unsupported: 8.8.1 19U512 June 21, 2023 Series 3 6S, SE (1st), 7
watchOS 9 September 12, 2022 Unsupported: 9.6.3 20U502 September 21, 2023 — 8, X
watchOS 10 September 18, 2023 Unsupported: 10.6.1 21U580 August 19, 2024 Series 4, Series 5, SE (1st) —
watchOS 11 September 16, 2024 Supported: 11.6.1 22U84 August 14, 2025 — XS, XR
watchOS 26 September 15, 2025 Latest version: 26.0.2 23R362 September 29, 2025 TBA
Preview version: 26.1 Beta 4 23S5031a October 20, 2025
Legend:
Unsupported
Supported
Latest version
Preview version

watchOS 1

[edit]

The first version of watchOS 1 was 1.0 and was based on iOS 8.2. The second version of watchOS 1 was 1.0.1 and was based on iOS 8.3.

Overview of watchOS 1 versions
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
1.0 8.2[32] 12S507 April 24, 2015

Initial release on Apple Watch (1st Generation).

1.0.1[35] 8.3[32] 12S632 May 19, 2015
  • Display support for new Emoji characters.
  • Notification screen UI tweaks.
  • Improved performance:
    • Free floating Circular app icons in home screen.
    • Zoom in with Digital Crown.
    • Siri.
    • Measuring stand activity.
    • Calculating calories for indoor cycling and rowing workouts.
    • Distance and pace during outdoor walk and run.
    • Accessibility.
    • Third-party apps.
    • Wrist Raise (more sensitive to real-life wrist raises).
  • Additional language support: Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Thai, Turkish.
  • Security fixes[36]

watchOS 2

[edit]
Overview of watchOS 2 versions[37]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
2.0[38] 9.0[32] 13S344 September 21, 2015

New Watch faces

  • Time-lapse face: Hong Kong, London, Mack Lake, New York, Shanghai, Paris
  • Photo & Photo album faces with support for Live Photos
  • New Time Travel function where you can see both past and future events
  • Nightstand Mode
  • 9 new colors for customization
  • New multicolor Modular face
  • 3rd party apps Complications support

Siri

  • Workout and Maps support
  • FaceTime audio calling and email replying support
  • HomeKit support
  • Added support in following countries: Austria, Belgium, Norway

Activity and Workout

  • Workouts done in 3rd-party apps will be included in Activity rings
  • Sharing support from Activity app on iPhone
  • Interactive achievements
  • Weekly Summary
  • Activity notifications can now be muted for a day
  • Workouts can now be automatically saved

Apple Pay and Wallet

  • Discover cards support
  • Reward cards, store credit and debit cards support
  • Passes can now be added from 3rd party apps

Friends

  • You can now add more than 12 friends to your Watch
  • Groups support
  • Multicolor sketches support
  • Animated emoji support

Maps

  • New Transit view in selected cities
  • List of directions can now be shown
  • Station placards support with departure information

Music

  • New Beats 1 Radio support
  • New Quick Play button for Apple Music

Miscellaneous

  • You can now reply to emails right from your Watch using dictation, emoji, or smart replies
  • Support for FaceTime audio calls
  • Support for Wi-Fi calling
  • Activation Lock – No one can activate an Apple Watch without a proper Apple ID and password
  • New system languages: English (India), Finnish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Polish
  • Dictation support extended to include the following languages:
    • Dutch (Belgium)
    • English (Ireland, Philippines, South Africa)
    • French (Belgium)
    • German (Austria)
    • Spanish (Chile, Colombia)
  • Smart replies support extended to include the following languages:
    • Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong, Taiwan)
    • Danish
    • Dutch
    • English (New Zealand, Singapore)
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Swedish
    • Thai

Developer

  • Native SDK support
  • 3rd-party apps can now access the accelerometer, heart rate sensor, microphone, Taptic Engine, and Digital Crown
  • You can now play videos directly on your Watch
  • You can now run apps without your iPhone with a Wi-Fi connection
  • Complications for watch faces support
  • Support for Workouts from 3rd party apps – Metrics will count toward the Activity rings as well as included in the Activity app on iPhone
2.0.1[38] 9.1 13S428 October 21, 2015
  • New emoji
  • Bug fixes
2.1[38] 9.2 13S661 December 8, 2015
  • New system languages: Arabic, Czech, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Malay, Portuguese (Portugal), Vietnamese
  • Right-to-left language support
  • In Arabic, switch between Latin and Hindi numerals
  • New Complication for Islamic and Hebrew calendars
  • Siri support extended to include Arabic (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)
  • Dictation support extended to include the following languages:
    • Arabic (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)
    • English (Malaysia)
    • Czech
    • Greek
    • Hebrew
    • Hungarian
    • Portuguese (Portugal)
    • Vietnamese
  • Bug fixes
2.2[38] 9.3 13V144 March 21, 2016
  • You can now pair 2+ Apple Watches to a single iPhone
  • New Nearby function in Maps
  • New system languages: Catalan, Croatian, Slovak, Romanian, Ukrainian
  • Dictation support extended to include the following languages:
    • Catalan
    • Croatian
    • Slovak
    • Romanian
    • Ukrainian
    • English (Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia)
  • Siri support extended to include Malay, Finnish, and Hebrew
  • Background heart rate measurements have their frequency increased when you're stationary
2.2.1[38] 9.3.2 13V420 May 16, 2016
  • General performance and stability improvements.
2.2.2[38] 9.3.3 13V604 July 18, 2016
  • General performance and stability improvements.

watchOS 3

[edit]
Overview of watchOS 3 versions[39]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
3.0 10.0 14S326 September 13, 2016
  • Initial Release on Apple Watch Series 1 (Dual-Core) and Apple Watch Series 2 (Dual-Core)

Navigation

  • Favorite apps in Dock
  • Apps in Dock updates with up-to-date information on launch
  • Dock can contain up to 10 apps
  • Simple switch to different watch face with a swipe
  • Control Center can be toggled with a swipe up

New Watch faces

  • Minnie Mouse face
  • Activity faces
  • Numerals faces
  • Complications support for Photo, Photo Album, Timelapse, and Motion faces
  • New Complications: Workout, Music, and Messages, etc.
  • Face Gallery in Apple Watch app on iPhone
  • 3rd-party Complications support

Activity

  • Share and compare activity rings
  • Activity progress notifications for a person you have shared your activity progress with
  • Smart replies for above notifications
  • New "Sharing" tab on Activity app on iPhone

Workout

  • Quick start
  • Customizable metrics view
  • Gestures support for pausing, resuming, or marking segments
  • Support for "Other" workouts not listed in built-in workout types
  • Auto-pause in running workouts for inactivity
  • Siri support
  • Route maps with a speed indicator (Outdoor workouts only)

For Wheelchairs

  • Activity rings support for people using a wheelchair
  • Pushes now contribute to the move ring
  • Stand ring and "Time to Stand" notification substituted with Roll ring and "Time to Roll" notification
  • Outdoor Run or Walk pace workouts

Breathe app

  • New app for breathing sessions
  • Visualization and haptics indicate when to inhale or exhale
  • Adjustments for session length and amount of breaths per minute
  • Summary with heart rate
  • "Time to Breathe" notifications
  • Weekly Summary

Communication

  • Full-screen effects for celebrations
  • Tap to quick reply
  • Animations for handwritten messages
  • Send built-in or 3rd party stickers
  • Ability to view secret messages
  • Replies now available in Messages and Mail notifications
  • New and redesigned emojis

Scribble

  • Write directly on Apple Watch and it will automatically convert to text
  • Scroll through predictions with Digital Crown
  • Available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese

Emergency SOS

  • You can now call emergency services by pressing and holding the side button
  • Your SOS contacts will be notified with your location
  • You can also display your Medical ID stored on your Watch
  • Emergency numbers are automatically adjusted per your location

Home

  • New app to control accessories through HomeKit
  • You can now control all your accessories directly from your wrist
  • IP camera support: Watch live video with controls and notifications directly on your Watch

Miscellaneous

  • New Reminders app
  • New Find My Friends app
  • Apple Pay support in 3rd-party apps
  • New controls in the Calendar app: You can now delete events or switch calendars
  • FaceTime audio calls support
  • Search for Settings on Apple Watch app on iPhone
  • New remote camera controls: Flash, Live Photos, HDR, Zoom, Burst, and facing
  • New Siri languages: Spanish (Chile), Cantonese, English (Ireland), English (South Africa)
3.1 10.1 14S471 October 24, 2016
  • Bubbles and fullscreen effects on Messages can now be replayed
  • Reduce Motion of Messages effects
  • Bug fixes
3.1.1 10.2 14S883 December 12, 2016

Update withdrawn due to reports of Apple Watches no longer working after the update[40]

3.1.3 10.2.1 14S960 January 23, 2017
  • Includes fixes from watchOS 3.1.1
3.2 10.3 14V249 March 27, 2017
  • Siri now works with 3rd-party apps with features including
    • Start a workout
    • Send messages
    • Make payments
    • Book rides
  • Theater Mode
  • New Scribble languages: French, Spanish, Italian
  • Sync progress for music playlists is now displayed in the Apple Watch app on iPhone
3.2.2 10.3.2 14V485 May 15, 2017
  • Bug fixes.
3.2.3 10.3.3 14V753 July 19, 2017

watchOS 4

[edit]
Overview of watchOS 4 versions[41]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
4.0 11.0 15R372 September 19, 2017

Initial release on Apple Watch Series 3

Drops support for iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C

New Watch faces

  • Siri face with updates based on time, location, and daily routines
  • Toy Story face with animated Toy Story characters
  • Kaleidoscope face with static images turning into patterns
  • Siri, News, Heart Rate, Now Playing, Messages Complications

Activity

  • Personalized notifications
  • Monthly challenges
  • Full Screen animations for achievements and rings closed
  • Workout metrics included in replies for Activity Sharing notifications

Workout

  • App completely redesigned
  • High Intensity Interval Training workout support
  • Multiple workouts in a single session support
  • Auto sets for Pool Swim workouts
  • Synced music playlist support when starting workouts (Apple Watch 1st gen not supported)
  • Music controls right inside the app
  • Do Not Disturb can be automatically turned on when starting workouts

Heart Rate

  • Graphs for all-day heart rate
  • New measurements including resting rate, walking average, workout average, workout high, recovery, and Breathe sessions
  • High Heart Rate notifications support (Apple Watch 1st gen not supported)
  • New Heart Rate data on iPhone including Heart Rate Variability and VO2 max.

Music

  • App completely redesigned
  • Multiple playlists sync support for local playback with Bluetooth headphones
  • Apple Music curated playlists sync support, includes Heavy Rotation, My New Music Mix, and My Favorites Mix

Miscellaneous

  • News app added
  • Flashlight and Safety Light can be toggled through Control Center
  • Recent used apps in Dock
  • App home screen in alphabetical view
  • Gestures support in Mail
  • Dialer pad right inside Phone app
  • Conflicts for Calendar invites can now be displayed
  • New language for Scribble: German
  • New timers: sub-minute and repeating
  • Recent locations and suggestions in Maps
  • Contacts in Smart Reply, includes location
4.0.1 11.0 15R654 October 4, 2017 Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) only
  • Bug fixes
4.1 11.1 15R846 October 31, 2017
  • Music streaming support on Apple Music or iCloud Music Library (Apple Watch Series 3 only)
  • New Radio app: Beats 1 Live Radio, custom stations, and expert-curated stations (Apple Watch Series 3 only)
  • Find, discover, and play songs, albums, or albums using Siri
  • Fitness data syncing support for more accurate metrics on GymKit-enabled treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, and indoor bikes
  • Ability to disconnect from a Wi-Fi network right in Control Center (Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular model only)
  • Mandarin Chinese now set as default dictation language in China
  • Bug fixes
4.2 11.2 15S102 December 5, 2017
  • Apple Pay Cash support (US only)
  • HomeKit sprinklers and faucet support
  • 3rd-party app Workouts: distance, average Speed, number of runs, elevation descended for downhill snow sports (Apple Watch Series 3 only)
  • Bug fixes
4.2.2 11.2 15S542 January 23, 2018
  • This update includes improvements and bug fixes.
4.2.3 11.2 15S600b February 19, 2018
  • Fixes an issue where using certain character sequences could cause apps to crash.
4.3 11.3 15T212 March 29, 2018
  • HomePod volume and playback control support
  • Regaining control of music on iPhone
  • Multiple orientation support on Nightstand mode
  • Activity rings progress and new songs to Apple Music mixes are now shown on the Siri watch face
  • Bug fixes
4.3.1 11.4 15T567 May 29, 2018
  • Fixes an issue which caused Apple Watch to sometimes remain at the Apple Logo during startup for some users.
4.3.2 11.4.1 15U70 July 9, 2018 Final release supported on Apple Watch (1st generation)
  • This update includes improvements and bug fixes.

watchOS 5

[edit]

watchOS 5 was first shown to the public at the 2018 San Jose WWDC developer conference held on June 4, 2018 by Apple. It had an instant watch-to-watch Walkie-Talkie mode.[42] With this release, Apple dropped support for the first generation Apple Watch. watchOS 5 was the first version of watchOS to bring 64-bit support.

Overview of watchOS 5 versions[43]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
5.0 12.0 16R364 September 17, 2018

Initial Release on Apple Watch Series 4

Drops support for the Apple Watch (1st generation)

  • Workout
    • Compete with Friends notifications
    • Auto detect workout and notification to turn off workout when done
    • New workouts: Yoga and Hiking
    • Pace Alerts and Cadence
  • Podcasts
    • New app for watchOS
    • Download episodes of podcasts for listening
    • Stream your favorite podcasts on the go (Series 3 and later only)
  • Walkie-Talkie
    • A new watchOS app that allows you to do FaceTime Audio calls similar to talking on a walkie-talkie
  • Siri
    • Watchface adds 3rd-party access to Siri
    • Raise to Speak. No longer need to say "Hey Siri" to activate (Series 3 and later only)
    • Integrate with shortcuts like "I am on my way home" and Siri will start playing your favorite playlist on the way home
  • Notifications
    • Grouped notifications
    • More actions you can do with Notifications
    • Can view webpages from iMessages
  • Do Not Disturb
    • Can schedule Do Not Disturb events when leaving a location or just for a specific time period
  • Student ID Cards
5.0.1 12.0 16R381/16R382 September 27, 2018 Improvements and bug fixes
5.1 12.1 16R591 October 30, 2018 Update withdrawn due to reports of Apple Watches no longer working after the update[44]
5.1.1 12.1 16R600 November 5, 2018

Improvements and bug fixes

  • Addresses a problem in the WatchOS 5.1 update leading to non-functional Apple Watches.
  • Improvements to Series 4 automatic fall detection.
  • Resolves a problem with completing setup of Walkie-Talkie.
  • Resolves a problem with sending and receiving invitations for Walkie-Talkie.
  • Resolves missing earned Activity awards.
5.1.2 12.1.1 16S46 December 6, 2018
  • New ECG app for Apple Watch Series 4 (US and US territories only)
  • Irregular rhythm notification (US and US territories only)
  • AFiB notification
  • Other improvements and bug fixes
5.1.3 12.1.3 16S535 January 22, 2019 This update includes improvements and bug fixes.
5.2 12.2 16T225 March 27, 2019
  • ECG app extended to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK
  • Irregular rhythm notification extended to countries listed above
  • 2nd gen AirPods support
  • Real-time text support for phone calls
5.2.1 12.3 16U113 May 13, 2019
  • ECG app extended to Croatia, Czech, Iceland, Poland, and Slovakia
  • Irregular rhythm notification extended to countries listed above
  • New Pride watch face
  • Other bug fixes
5.3 12.4 16U569 July 22, 2019
  • ECG app extended to Canada and Singapore
  • Irregular rhythm notification extended to countries listed above
  • Security fix for Walkie-Talkie app that could enable the owner's iPhone to be eavesdropped[45]
5.3.1 12.4.1 16U600 August 26, 2019
  • Re-patches a security vulnerability that was accidentally unpatched in the previous update
Post-watchOS 6 Updates for watches paired with an iOS 12.x iPhone (to support iPhone 5S and iPhone 6/6 Plus)
5.3.2 12.4.2 16U611 September 26, 2019 Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 only
  • Security update for Series 1 and Series 2 watches[46]
5.3.3 12.4.3 16U620 October 29, 2019 Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 only[citation needed]
  • Important security updates
5.3.4 12.4.4 16U627[47] December 10, 2019
  • Security update for Series 1, 2, 3, and 4 watches[48]
5.3.5 12.4.5 16U652[49] February 18, 2020
  • Update for Series 1, 2, 3, and 4 watches with heart rhythm notification bug fix[50]

No published security notes.[51]

5.3.6 12.4.6 16U662 March 24, 2020
  • Important security updates

No published security notes.[51]

5.3.7 12.4.7 16U674 May 18, 2020
  • Improvements and bug fixes

Security notes

5.3.8 12.4.8 16U680 July 15, 2020
  • Improvements and bug fixes

No published security notes.[51]

5.3.9 12.4.9 16U693 November 5, 2020 Final version to support iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus
  • Improvements and bug fixes

Security notes

watchOS 6

[edit]

Apple announced a new version of watchOS that would contain features such as the App Store, a calculator with tip tools, an audiobooks app, noise level monitoring, and Apple's Voice Memos app, at WWDC 2019 held on June 3, 2019.[52][53][54] It also enables special games that can only be played on the Watch interface. With this release, Apple dropped support for iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus. However, watchOS 6 has limited support on Apple Watch Series 1 and 2. watchOS 6.3 is the final release supported on the Apple Watch Series 1 and 2.

Overview of watchOS 6 versions[55]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
6.0 13.0 17R575 September 19, 2019

Initial Release on Apple Watch Series 5

Not released for Apple Watch Series 1 and 2

Drops support for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

  • Cycle Tracking
    • New Cycle Tracking app for tracking menstrual cycle and fertility metrics
    • Notifications predicting a person's next menstrual cycle and fertile window.
  • Noise (Series 4 or later only)
    • New Noise app for detecting decibel levels in your surroundings.
    • Notifications can be pushed when it detects that the noise in your surrounding is too high.
  • Voice Memos
    • New Voice Memos app for recording and listening to voice memos directly on Apple Watch
    • Synced across all your devices as well.
  • Audiobooks
    • Now you can sync up to 5 hours of audiobooks to your Apple Watch
    • Stream them when your Watch is connected via Wi-Fi or cellular
  • App store
    • New built-in App Store where you can find and download apps for your Watch.
    • Supports Sign in with Apple
  • Activity Trends
    • Activity Trends in Activity app which includes all three activity rings, stand minutes, walking distance, walking pace, running pace, and VO2 max.
    • These are compared with data averaged over the last 90 days to the wearer's performance over the last year.
    • Tips are given if a single trend is going down.
  • Workout
    • New elevation metrics for Outdoor Run, Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, and Hiking workouts (Series 2 or later only)
    • Stopwatch app can now be viewed on your watch face during workouts
    • GymKit support for True and Woodway
  • Siri
    • Now you can identify songs directly on your Watch—with the ability to add identified songs to your Apple Music library
    • New Siri Web Search—shows up to 5 online results with the ability to view optimized Web content.
    • Siri integration into the redesigned Find People app
  • Watch Faces
    • New Faces
        • Numerals Mono and Numerals Duo (Available in Arabic, Arabic Indic, Roman numerals, and Devanagari)
        • Meridian—black or white dial which fills the screen and includes 4 complications (Series 4 or later only)
        • Gradient—Design dynamically changes as time passes. Available in full screen or circular with 5 complications (Series 4 or later only)
        • California—Supports multiple numeral styles in Roman, Arabic, and Devanagari in fullscreen or circular (Series 4 or later only)
        • Solar Dial—Depicts the Sun's path in circular form across a 24-hour dial (Series 4 or later only)
        • Modular Compact—With many complications and the option to choose between analog or digital time (Series 4 or later only)
    • Tap to speak on all watch faces, supports up to 30 languages
    • Receive and customize time-keeping chimes (An alert on the hour, every half hour or every 15 minutes, either with haptics or customizable chimes)
    • Now you can reorder your Watch faces directly on your Watch
    • New complications
      • Audiobooks
      • Calculator
      • Cellular connectivity
      • Cycle Tracking
      • Noise
      • Wind
      • Rain
      • Voice memos
    • New monochrome complications for Infograph and Infograph Modular faces
  • Miscellaneous
    • New Calculator app with the ability to calculate tips and split checks
    • Support for custom stations in the Podcasts app
    • Smart Guidance and spoken navigation in Maps
    • Redesigned Now Playing app with Apple TV Remote controls
    • Personalized music picks in the For You tab
    • Support for automatic software updates
    • Redesigned Walkie-Talkie app
    • Redesigned Find People app which allows you to add friends, set notifications, and change settings directly on your Watch
    • Redesigned Reminders app with shared lists, subtasks, and the ability to add new reminders
    • More settings for Accessibility, Workout, and Health
6.0.1 13.1 17R604/17R605 September 30, 2019 Not released for Apple Watch Series 1 and 2

Improvements and bug fixes

  • Resolves an issue where the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse watch faces do not speak time.
  • Addresses an issue where the calendar complication may not display events.
  • Fixes a bug that could result in a loss of display calibration data.
6.1 13.2 17S84 October 29, 2019 First version of watchOS 6.x to support Apple Watch Series 1 and 2
  • Support for AirPods Pro
  • Other improvements and bug fixes
  • Brings watchOS 6 to Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2
6.1.1 13.3 17S449 December 10, 2019
  • Important security updates
6.1.2 13.3.1 17S796 January 28, 2020
  • Important security updates

Security notes

6.1.3 17S811 February 18, 2020
  • Heart rhythm notification bug fix

No published security notes.[51]

6.2 13.4 17T529 March 24, 2020
  • Brings ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications to Chile, Turkey, and New Zealand
  • Brings in-app purchases to Apple Watch apps
  • Fixes music playback issues when switching from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth

Security notes

6.2.1 13.4.1 17T530 April 8, 2020
  • Fixes an issue that prevented FaceTime audio calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or Macs running OS X El Captain 10.11.6 and earlier from working

No published security notes.[51]

6.2.5 13.5 17T608 May 18, 2020
  • ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later now available in Saudi Arabia
  • Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Saudi Arabia

Security notes

6.2.6 13.5.1 17T620 June 1, 2020
  • Important security updates

Security notes

6.2.8 13.6 17U63 July 15, 2020
  • ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later now available in Bahrain, Brazil, and South Africa
  • Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Bahrain, Brazil, and South Africa
  • Digital car keys support for Apple Watch Series 5

Security notes

13.6.1 August 12, 2020
13.7 September 1, 2020
Post-watchOS 7 Updates for watches paired with an iOS 13.x iPhone (for users who deferred updating to iOS 14)
6.2.9 13.7 17U203 November 5, 2020 Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 only
  • Improvements and bug fixes

Security notes

6.3 17U208 December 14, 2020 Final version to support the Apple Watch Series 1 and 2
  • Improvements and bug fixes

Security notes

watchOS 7

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 7 at the 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 22, 2020. With watchOS 7, Apple dropped support for Apple Watch Series 1 and 2. watchOS 7 has limited support on the Apple Watch Series 3.

Overview of watchOS 7 versions[56]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
7.0 iOS 14.0 18R382 September 16, 2020

Initial Release on Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6

Drops support for the Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2

  • Watch Faces
    • Updated Faces
      • Chronograph Pro gains a tachymeter (Series 4 or later only)
      • X-Large adds support for one large complication
      • Photos face provides colour filters for pictures and more customization options
      • Updated colours for many watch faces
    • Complications
      • Apps may now include more than one complication
      • New and/or updated Sleep, Shortcuts, Camera Remote, Moon Phase and World Clock complications
    • Watch Face Sharing
      • Ability to share custom Watch Faces through Mail, Messages, or posting a link
  • Sleep Tracking
    • Apple Watch uses the accelerometer to measure sleep
    • See logged sleep, manage schedules and set alarms in the new Sleep app
    • New alarm sounds and haptics
    • Wind Down mode
    • Sleep Mode automatically enables Do Not Disturb and disables Raise to Wake
    • Reminders to charge your Apple Watch in the evening if below 30% charge
    • Notifications on iPhone when Apple Watch is finished charging
    • Wake up screen displays after your alarm, showing the weather and your battery level
  • Activity
    • Workouts
      • New Dance, Functional Strength Training, Core Training and Cooldown workouts
    • Mobility Metrics
      • Support for low-range cardio fitness, walking speed, stair-descent speed, stair-ascent speed, six-minute walk distance, double support time, step length, and asymmetry metrics in the Health app on iPhone, tracked by Apple Watch
    • Exercise and Stand goals can now be modified in addition to the Move goal
    • Activity app renamed Fitness app on iPhone
  • Maps
    • Cycling Directions
      • Cycling specific directions in Maps in supported areas
      • Choose routes based on intensity and duration
      • Alerts about upcoming stairs and dismount locations
  • Handwashing (Series 4 or later only)
    • Automatic handwashing detection with a 20-second timer
    • Handwashing reminder when arriving home
  • Siri
    • Translation support for 10 languages
    • Support for Announce Messages with Siri
    • New Siri UI
  • New Apps
    • New Shortcuts app, and ability to choose visible shortcuts on Apple Watch from iPhone
    • New Memoji app with support for editing and creating new Memoji (Series 4 or later only)
  • Dictation
    • Dictation is processed on-device (Series 4 or later only)
  • Privacy
    • Microphone icon appears onscreen when in use
  • Headphones
    • Ability to set a decibel volume limit for headphones
    • Reminders to reduce volume if above World Health Organization's limits
  • Family Setup (Cellular Series 4 or later only, in supported countries)
    • Pair Apple Watches for family members that do not have their own iPhone, aimed at children and seniors
    • Activity metrics are more accurate for children, and Apple Watch now measures move minutes rather than active calories
    • Apple Cash Family allows children to receive money using Apple Cash
    • Enhanced parental controls, including approved contacts and apps, and Schooltime
  • Schooltime
    • Displays a standard yellow watch face and turns on Do Not Disturb to limit distractions
    • Can be manually enabled through the Control Centre, or scheduled and remotely enabled for child watches using Family Setup

Security notes

7.0.1 iOS 14.0.1 18R395 September 24, 2020
  • Fixes an issue where some payment cards in Wallet were disabled for some users

No published security notes.[51]

7.0.2 18R402 October 12, 2020
  • Fixes an issue where the battery drained too quickly
  • Fixes an issue that blocked access to the ECG app

No published security notes.[51]

7.0.3 18R410 October 19, 2020
  • Fixes an issue that causes unexpected restarts with Series 3 watches

No published security notes.[51]

7.1 iOS 14.2 18R590 November 5, 2020
  • Headphone audio level notifications
  • Adds ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications support in South Korea and Russia
  • Fixed: Unlocking Mac with Apple Watch fails
  • Fixed: Always-on display failure on Apple Watch Series 6

Security notes

7.2 18S564 December 14, 2020
  • Adds support for Apple Fitness+ (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, and US only)
  • Cardio fitness notifications
  • AFiB notifications now available at heart rates above 100 BPM
  • Adds ECG support in Taiwan
  • Adds braille displays with VoiceOver support
  • Family Setup now available in Bahrain, Canada, Norway, and Spain

Security notes

7.3 18S801 January 26, 2021
  • New Unity watch face
  • New Time to Walk podcasts in Apple Fitness+
  • Add ECG support in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand (Series 4 or later)
  • Add Irregular heart rhythm notifications in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand
  • Fix an unresponsive issue when zoom is enabled in the Control Center and Notification Center

Security notes

7.3.1 18S811 February 15, 2021
  • Fix for a charging issue when in Power Reserve mode (Series 5 and SE only)

No published security notes.[51]

7.3.2 18S821 March 8, 2021
  • Important security updates

Security notes

7.3.3 18S830 March 26, 2021
  • Important security updates

Security notes

7.4 iOS 14.5 18T195 April 26, 2021
  • Unlock iPhone with Face ID using Apple Watch when wearing a face mask
  • Set the Bluetooth device type in Settings
  • Airplay audio and video content of Apple Fitness+ workouts
  • Add ECG support on in Australia and Vietnam (Series 4 or later)
  • Add irregular heart rhythm notifications in Australia and Vietnam

Security notes

7.4.1 iOS 14.5.1 18T201 May 3, 2021
  • Important security updates

Security notes

7.5 iOS 14.6 18T567 May 24, 2021
  • Subscription content in Podcasts app
  • Apple Card with a Family Sharing
  • Add ECG support in Malaysia and Peru (Series 4 or later)
  • Add irregular heart rhythm notifications in Malaysia and Peru

Security notes

7.6 iOS 14.7 18U63 July 19, 2021
  • Add ECG support for multiple countries (Series 4 or later)
  • Add irregular heart rhythm notifications for multiple countries

Security notes

7.6.1 iOS 14.7.1 18U70 July 29, 2021
  • Important security updates

Security notes

7.6.2 iOS 14.8 18U80 September 13, 2021

Security notes

watchOS 8

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 8 at the 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, 2021. Apple Watch models supporting watchOS 7 can also support watchOS 8. However, like watchOS 7, watchOS 8 has limited support on Apple Watch Series 3. It is also the last version of watchOS to be supported on Apple Watch models with 32-bit processors.

Overview of watchOS 8 versions[58]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
8.0 15.0 19R343

19R346

September 20, 2021 Initial release on Apple Watch Series 7. Build 13R346 is pre-installed only on Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular).
  • Watch Faces
    • New Portrait photo and World Time watch face (Series 4 and later)
  • Home
    • View the status and accessory controls at the top
    • Accessories and scenes displayed changes depending on the time of day and usage
    • View all HomeKit camera feeds together
    • New Favorites section
  • Wallet
    • Added support for home, hotel, and office keys
    • Added support for car keys (Series 6 and later)
    • Added support for Remote keyless car features
  • Workout
    • New tai chi and pilates workouts
    • Automatic workout detection for outdoor cycling
    • Outdoor cycling workout tracking improvements
    • Hiking workout tracking improvements (aged 13 and below)
    • Voice feedback during workout
  • Fitness+
    • New guided meditations sessions
    • New pilates workouts
    • New picture-in-picture support
    • New search filters
  • Mindfulness
    • Breathe session improvements
    • New reflect session
  • Sleep
    • Monitor respiratory rate when sleeping
    • View respiratory rate data recorded in Health app
  • Messages
    • Use the Scribble, dictation, and emoji methods simultaneously
    • Use Digital Crown to scroll when editing dictated text
    • Enter hashtag to search for GIF images
  • Photos
    • New Photos app
    • Share photos
  • Find My
    • New Find Items app
    • New Find Devices app
  • Weather
    • Support for precipitation and severe weather notifications alerts
    • New precipitation graph
  • Miscellaneous
    • Focus function added
    • Sync Focus state with iOS, iPadOS or macOS
    • New Contacts app
    • New Tips app
    • Redesigned Music app
    • Share songs, albums, and playlists
    • Run simultaneous timers at the same time
    • Cycle Tracking improvements
    • New Memoji stickers and outfits
    • Measure headphone audio level in Control Center
    • Transit card support in Wallet for Family Setup users in multiple countries
    • Google account support in Calendar and Mail for Family Setup users
    • New AssistiveTouch gestures supported
    • Add ECG support in Lithuania (Series 4 or later)
    • Add irregular heart rhythm notifications in Lithuania

Security notes

8.0.1 15.0.2 19R354 October 11, 2021
  • Software update progress bar fix (Series 3 only)
  • Fix a bug with Accessibility settings (Series 3 only)

No published security notes.[51]

8.1 15.1 19R570 October 25, 2021
  • Fall detection improvements and new settings (Series 4 and later)
  • Support COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet
  • Fitness+ SharePlay support
  • Improve Always-On time accuracy (Series 5 and later)

Security notes

8.1.1 19R580 November 18, 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) only
  • Charging issue fix

No published security notes.[51]

8.3 15.2 19S55 December 13, 2021
  • Enable ECG for China (Series 4 or later)
  • Compass no longer shows altitude (Series 3-5) latitude and longitude in mainland China[59]
  • New Apple Music Voice plan option
  • New App Privacy Report
  • Fix for notifications not being muted during Mindfulness sessions

Security notes

8.4 15.3 19S546 January 26, 2022
  • Important security updates
  • Charging fix for select chargers

Security notes

8.4.1 19S550 February 1, 2022 Apple Watch Series 4 or later only
  • Bug fixes

No published security notes.[51]

8.4.2 15.3.1 19S553 February 10, 2022
  • Important security updates
  • Bug fixes

No published security notes.[51]

8.5 15.4 19T242 March 14, 2022
  • Authenticate Apple TV purchases and subscriptions
  • Support for EU COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet
  • Afib tracking improvements for irregular rhythm notifications in multiple countries
  • New audio description in Fitness+

Security notes

8.5.1 15.4.1 19T252 March 31, 2022
  • Important security updates
  • Bug fixes

No published security notes.[51]

8.6 15.5 19T572 May 16, 2022
  • Add ECG support in Mexico (Series 4 or later)
  • Add irregular heart rhythm notifications in Mexico

Security notes

8.7 15.6 19U66 July 20, 2022
  • Important security updates
  • Bug fixes

Security notes

8.7.1 15.6.1 19U67 August 17, 2022 Apple Watch Series 3 only
  • Restart issue fix

No published security notes.[51]

Post-watchOS 9 update for Series 3 and/or watches paired with an iOS 15.x iPhone (to support iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE (1st gen), 7 and 7 Plus)
8.8.1 15.7.7 19U512 June 21, 2023 Final version to support the Apple Watch Series 3, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE (1st gen), 7, and 7 Plus

Security notes

watchOS 9

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 9 at the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 6, 2022. With this release, Apple dropped support for the Apple Watch Series 3, which was the last Apple Watch model with a 32-bit processor, making watchOS 9 the first version of watchOS to run exclusively on Apple Watch models with 64-bit processors.

Overview of watchOS 9 versions[60]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
9.0 16.0 20R361 September 12, 2022 Initial release on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) and Apple Watch Ultra

Drops support for the Apple Watch Series 3, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE (1st gen), 7 and 7 Plus

  • Watch Faces
    • New Astronomy, Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Nike watch faces
    • Complication improvements
    • Portrait photo watch face improvements
    • Change watch face depending on Focus
  • Workout
    • Access workout view during a workout
    • New heart rate zone, elevation view, and running power graphs
    • Additional running metrics (SE, Series 6 and later)
    • New custom and Multisport workout option
    • New workout alerts
    • Pool Swim workout improvements
    • New swimming metrics
  • Fitness+
    • New trainer guidance and personal fitness metrics displayed
  • Compass
    • New Compass app (SE, Series 5 and later)
    • New compass waypoints, and backtrack GPS function (SE, Series 6 and later)
  • Sleep
    • Sleep tracking improvements
    • New comparisons chart
  • Medications
    • Add and schedule medications
    • View medication schedule
    • Medication reminders
    • New watch complication
  • AFib History
    • New weekly summary notifications
    • AFib tracking improvements
    • Export data as a PDF
  • Family Setup
    • New Podcasts app
    • New support for Yahoo and Outlook emails
  • Accessibility
    • New AssistiveTouch actions
    • Ability to pair a Bluetooth keyboard
    • Airplay Apple Watch to iPhone
  • Miscellaneous
    • New Low Power Mode
    • International roaming support (SE, Series 5 and later)
    • New keyboard languages (Series 7 and later)
    • New Communication safety setting in Screen Time
    • New cycle deviation notifications alerts
    • New cardio recovery metrics
    • Reminders, Calendar, and Podcast app improvements
    • Minor Dock enhancements
    • New notification banner design when in use

Security notes

9.0.1 20R8380 September 22, 2022 Apple Watch Ultra only
  • Fixes an issue with audio on phone calls on the Apple Watch Ultra

No published security notes.[51]

9.0.2 20R8383 October 10, 2022
  • Fixes an issue causing interruptions with Spotify
  • Fixes an issue with snooze alarm notifications continuing after deleting the alarm
  • Fixes syncing of Wallet and Fitness data for newly-paired watch
  • Fixes an issue with audio interruptions on Series 8 and Ultra

No published security notes.[51]

9.1 16.1 20S75 October 24, 2022
  • Option to extend battery life during select workouts by reducing heart rate and GPS reading frequency (Series 8, SE 2nd generation, and Ultra)
  • Download music while on battery via Wi-Fi or cellular
  • Add support for Matter
  • Fixes incorrect voice feedback of average pace for the Outdoor Run workout
  • Fixes an issue where the chance of rain probability shown in Weather app may be different from iPhone
  • Fixes an issue with the hourly weather complication showing AM for PM hours
  • Fixes an issue with time duration getting stuck during Strength Training Workout
  • Fixes an issue where VoiceOver fails to announce the app name when multiple notifications are received

Security notes

9.2 16.2 20S361 December 13, 2022 Security notes
9.3 16.3 20S648 January 23, 2023 Security notes
9.3.1 16.3.1 20S664 February 13, 2023
9.4 16.4 20T253 March 27, 2023
  • Wake-up alarms are no longer silenced with cover to mute gesture to avoid accidental cancellations during sleep
  • Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates and cycle deviation alerts now supported in Moldova and Ukraine
  • AFib History now available in Colombia, Malaysia, Moldova, Thailand, and Ukraine

Security notes

9.5 16.5 20T562 May 18, 2023
  • Add Pride Celebration watch face to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture

Security notes

9.5.1 20T570 May 30, 2023
9.5.2 20T571 June 21, 2023

Security notes

9.6 16.6 20U73 July 24, 2023
9.6.1 20U80 August 15, 2023
9.6.2 16.6.1 20U90 September 7, 2023 Security notes
Post-watchOS 10 update for watches paired with an iOS 16.x iPhone (to support phones that iOS 17 does not support like iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X)
9.6.3 20U502 September 21, 2023 Final version to support iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X

Security notes

watchOS 10

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 10 at the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5, 2023. With this release, Apple dropped support for iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X. All Apple Watch models supporting watchOS 9 also support watchOS 10.[61]

Overview of watchOS 10 versions[62]
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
10.0 17.0 21R356 September 18, 2023 Initial release on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
  • New Watch Faces: Snoopy, Palette, Nike Globe, and Solar Analog
  • Optimized Charge Limit is now available on Apple Watch SE, Series 6, Series 7, and Series 8.
  • Fixed: Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm) estimates maximum battery capacity more accurately.
  • New and updated ways to use Apple Watch
10.0.1 17.0.1 21R360 September 21, 2023
  • Bug fixes
10.0.2 17.0.2 21R371 September 26, 2023 Ultra 2 and Series 9 only
  • Bug fixes that are specific to the Ultra 2 and Series 9
10.1 17.1 21S67 October 25, 2023
  • Double Tap gesture (select models)
  • NameDrop (select models)
  • Bug fixes
10.1.1 17.1.1 21S71 November 7, 2023
  • Battery drain fixes
10.2 17.2 21S364[63] December 11, 2023
10.3 17.3 21S644 January 22, 2024
  • New Watch Faces: Unity Bloom
10.3.1 17.3.1 21S651 February 8, 2024
10.4 17.4 21T216 March 7, 2024
10.5 17.5 21T575 May 13, 2024
  • New Watch Faces: Pride Radiance
  • Bug fixes
10.6 17.6 21U577 July 29, 2024
  • Bug fixes and security improvements
10.6.1 17.6.1 21U580 August 19, 2024 Latest version for Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE (1st generation)
  • This update fixes an issue that may prevent access to Apple Fitness+

watchOS 11

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 11 at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, 2024. With this release, Apple drops support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE (1st generation).[64] This marks the first time 64-bit Apple Watch devices were dropped.

For legal reasons, blood oxygen monitoring was disabled on Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watches sold in the United States after January 18, 2024.[65] Apple Watch Series 10 was also incapable of blood oxygen monitoring at release.[66] On August 14, 2025, Apple reintroduced blood oxygen monitoring for affected Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 Apple Watches with watchOS 11.6.1.[67]

Supported: Overview of watchOS 11 versions
watchOS version iOS version based on Build Release date Features
Unsupported: 11.0 18.0 22R349 September 16, 2024 Drops support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE (1st generation), marking the first time 64-bit Apple Watch devices have been dropped.
Unsupported: 11.0.1 18.0.1 22R361 October 3, 2024 Fixes critical bugs from watchOS 11.
Unsupported: 11.1 18.1 22R585 October 28, 2024
Unsupported: 11.2 18.2 22S101 December 11, 2024
Unsupported: 11.3 18.3 22S555 January 27, 2025
Unsupported: 11.3.1 18.3.1 22S560 February 10, 2025 New Watch Faces: Black Unity Collection
Unsupported: 11.4 18.4 22T251 March 31, 2025
Unsupported: 11.5 18.5 22T572 May 12, 2025
Unsupported: 11.6 18.6 22U84 July 29, 2025
Supported: 11.6.1 18.6.1 22U90 August 14, 2025 Re-enabled Blood Oxygen feature

watchOS 26

[edit]

Apple announced watchOS 26 at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, 2025. watchOS 26 was released on September 15, 2025. All devices that supported watchOS 11 support watchOS 26.

Latest version: Overview of watchOS 26 versions
Version Build Release date Features
Unsupported: 26.0 23R352 September 15, 2025
Unsupported: 26.0.1 23R8352 September 18, 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 in Mexico only
Latest version: 26.0.2 23R362 September 29, 2025 Bug fixes
Preview version: 26.1 beta 4 23S5031a October 20, 2025
Legend:
Unsupported
Supported
Latest version
Preview version

Hardware support

[edit]
Supported watchOS versions on the Apple Watch
Model watchOS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 26
1st Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No
Series 1 — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
Series 2 — — Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
Series 3 — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Series 4 — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Series 5 — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
SE (1st) — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Series 6 — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Series 7 — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Series 8 — — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ultra (1st) — — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes
SE (2nd) — — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes Yes
Series 9 — — — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes
Ultra 2 — — — — — — — — — Yes Yes Yes
Series 10 — — — — — — — — — — Yes Yes
SE 3 — — — — — — — — — — — Yes
Series 11 — — — — — — — — — — — Yes
Ultra 3 — — — — — — — — — — — Yes

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WatchOS

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
watchOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. specifically for the Apple Watch smartwatch, providing a touch-optimized interface for notifications, health and fitness tracking, communication, and app functionality on a wrist-worn device. Introduced alongside the original Apple Watch, watchOS 1.0 was released on April 24, 2015, and was based on iOS 8.2, marking Apple's entry into wearable computing with features like the Activity app for motivating daily movement and integration with iPhone for seamless connectivity. Over the years, watchOS has evolved through annual major updates, expanding from basic timekeeping and glanceable information in early versions to advanced health sensors and capabilities in recent ones; notable milestones include native app support in watchOS 2 (September 2015), complication customization in watchOS 3 (2016), and ECG functionality in watchOS 5 (2018). As of November 2025, the current version is watchOS 26, released on September 15, 2025, which introduces enhanced Apple Intelligence features for personalized fitness coaching via Workout Buddy, notifications for compatible models, and design improvements like Liquid Glass for the Smart Stack and Control Center. watchOS emphasizes user health and safety, with built-in sensors enabling metrics such as monitoring, fall detection, and notifications in later versions, while requiring an for setup and certain features, ensuring tight ecosystem integration. Developers can build native apps using SwiftUI and access APIs for health data, notifications, and complications, powering numerous apps in the App Store tailored for the Watch as of 2025.

Introduction

Overview

watchOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. specifically for the Apple Watch smartwatch, serving as a wearable extension of the iOS ecosystem. Launched on April 24, 2015, alongside the original Apple Watch, watchOS was designed to deliver iPhone-like functionality in a compact, wrist-worn form factor, emphasizing quick access to notifications, fitness tracking, and glanceable information for on-the-go interactions. Its primary goals include enhancing user productivity and health monitoring by leveraging the device's proximity to the body for seamless, context-aware experiences. Optimized for wrist-based use, watchOS accommodates inputs from a touchscreen, the Digital Crown for scrolling and navigation, and built-in sensors such as accelerometers and monitors. Architecturally, it is derived from , incorporating frameworks like UIKit for user interfaces (with support for in later development), and enabling app development in Swift and . The system supports real-time processing of to power features like activity detection and environmental , ensuring responsive performance on the device's limited hardware. watchOS requires pairing with a compatible running to function fully, as it relies on the phone for initial setup, app installations, and . This integration fosters a cohesive where the acts as an intelligent companion to the , prioritizing brevity and utility in interactions.

Development History

Development of watchOS originated as part of the Apple Watch project, which began in late 2011 shortly after ' death, when , Apple's chief design officer, initiated the concept with a small team including senior vice president Alan Dye and industrial design director Tang Tan. The software engineering efforts were integrated from Apple's team, focusing on creating a lightweight operating system optimized for wearable constraints, with initial prototypes emphasizing seamless integration with iPhone ecosystems like HealthKit announced earlier that year. The and its accompanying watchOS were publicly announced on September 9, 2014, at a special event in , positioning the device as a personal health and communication tool rather than a direct smartphone extension. watchOS 1 launched alongside the in April 2015. watchOS 2 was revealed at WWDC 2015 in June, with developer beta testing commencing later that year, allowing third-party developers to build native apps and complications for the first time. Early iterations of watchOS from 2015 to 2017 placed a strong emphasis on fitness and tracking, introducing features like the Activity rings and monitoring to encourage daily movement and wellness, aligning with Apple's initial vision of the Watch as a motivational fitness companion. By 2018, the focus shifted toward expanding the app ecosystem, with watchOS 5 introducing native support for podcasts, functionality, and enhanced capabilities powered by to provide more proactive suggestions, such as workout notifications based on user patterns. In the , priorities evolved further to incorporate advanced AI and innovations, including tracking in watchOS 7 announced at WWDC 2020, which used data and to analyze stages and duration. Subsequent annual WWDC announcements, starting from 2015, have driven iterative advancements, such as blood oxygen monitoring in watchOS 7 and later AI-driven features like notification summarization in watchOS 11. This evolution continued with watchOS 12, released on September 16, 2025, which introduced enhanced Apple Intelligence features like Workout Buddy for personalized fitness coaching and notifications. Key development challenges included optimizing power efficiency for the device's small battery, which constrained features like continuous access during early testing, leading Apple to limit certain functionalities to extend usage to 18 hours. Haptic feedback refinement was another hurdle, with the innovative Taptic Engine—a linear resonant for subtle wrist taps—facing issues from Chinese suppliers, resulting in faulty components that delayed the initial rollout and required a supplier switch to ensure reliable, nuanced vibrations for notifications and interactions.

User Interface

Design Principles

The design principles of watchOS emphasize creating a harmonious, efficient, and intuitive experience tailored to the Apple Watch's compact, wrist-based form factor. Central to this is the concentric alignment of interface elements with the hardware's circular placement and software interactions, fostering a natural flow between the device, user gestures, and surrounding ecosystem. This philosophy prioritizes glanceable content delivery, where single-screen views present succinct, critical information to enable quick comprehension and targeted actions, such as a simple tap, without requiring prolonged engagement. The small, high-resolution display is optimized for on-the-go use, incorporating high-contrast colors to maintain in diverse lighting conditions, including low-light scenarios, while carefully controlling information density to avoid visual overload and enhance at-a-glance utility. Typography and visual elements in watchOS are designed for rapid legibility on constrained screens. The platform employs the Compact font family as its system font, featuring variable weights—including bold variants—for optical sizing that supports quick reading from arm's length or in motion. This ensures text remains clear and hierarchical, conveying priority without excessive detail. Icons draw from the SF Symbols library, which integrates seamlessly with for consistency, while modular UI components like grouped lists, crowns, and radial menus allow developers to build scalable, cohesive interfaces that adhere to the system's minimal aesthetic. These elements promote a unified look across apps, emphasizing simplicity and relevance over complexity. Accessibility is integrated as a foundational principle, ensuring the interface serves users with diverse needs. Dynamic Type enables automatic text scaling based on user preferences, adapting font sizes for better visibility without compromising layout integrity. provides auditory descriptions and navigation for screen reading, allowing full interaction through gestures and speech output. Haptic cues deliver tactile feedback via the Taptic Engine, simulating sensations like notifications or button presses, which is especially valuable for those with visual impairments by conveying information non-visually. These features, combined with color contrast requirements and reduced motion options, make watchOS inclusive by default, empowering equitable access to all functionalities. The aesthetics of watchOS have evolved to refine these principles over successive versions, shifting toward greater minimalism and efficiency. Early iterations like watchOS 1 introduced a clean, post-skeuomorphic foundation aligned with iOS's shift, focusing on essential elements amid the platform's launch. Subsequent updates progressively streamlined visuals, culminating in watchOS 10's redesign and continuing with watchOS 12's Liquid Glass materials for enhanced expressiveness in system interfaces like the Smart Stack and Control Center, which enhances glanceability through bolder layouts, contextual depth via materials and shadows, and consistent navigation to reduce while maintaining a flat, modern influence with subtle layering for depth without ornamentation. Navigation in watchOS relies primarily on the Digital Crown, side button, and touch-based gestures to enable efficient interaction on the compact display. The Digital Crown, located on the side of the device, serves as the central navigation tool; pressing it returns users to the watch face or , while turning it scrolls through content, zooms in apps like Maps, or navigates between apps. Starting with watchOS 10, turning the Digital Crown became the main method for vertical navigation across the and within apps, allowing users to scroll through a list of installed apps or paginated content such as tabs and lists. In watchOS 10 and later, turning the Digital Crown from the watch face reveals the Smart Stack, a collection of glanceable widgets that adapt to context such as time or location, enhancing quick access to information like or reminders. The side button, positioned below the Digital Crown, provides quick access to system functions; a single press opens Control Center for toggling settings like , , and , while a activates for payments. In versions prior to watchOS 10, pressing the side button also displayed the —a customizable shelf of favorite apps for rapid switching—but this was streamlined into Digital Crown navigation in later updates. Gestures in watchOS complement hardware controls by leveraging the for intuitive input, with support for tap, swipe, and pinch actions across apps and the system interface. Tapping selects items or activates buttons, swiping horizontally or vertically navigates lists, maps, or photo galleries, and pinching adjusts zoom levels in supported views like Maps or . Introduced in watchOS 10 and available on compatible models, the double-tap gesture—performed by quickly pinching the and together—enables hands-free actions such as lists, answering calls, or pausing media without touching the screen. Raise-to-wake automatically activates the display when the user lifts their , providing glanceable access to notifications and the watch face, while wrist detection ensures the device only responds when worn on the for and power efficiency. , which allowed pressure-sensitive interactions for context menus in early watchOS versions (up to watchOS 6 on supported hardware), was replaced by Haptic Touch—using long presses with haptic feedback—for similar contextual actions in subsequent updates. The Home Screen organizes apps in a grid layout, accessible by pressing the Digital Crown, where users can swipe or turn the Crown to browse and launch them. Spotlight search integrates seamlessly by swiping down from the Home Screen, allowing quick querying of apps, contacts, and content synced from iPhone. The Dock, featured in watchOS 3 through 9, offered a persistent view of up to 10 favorite apps via the side button, but was deprecated in favor of the more fluid Digital Crown scrolling in watchOS 10. Control Center, accessed by pressing the side button, centralizes toggles and status indicators, with swiping up within it to reveal additional controls like brightness and volume. For app organization, users can rearrange icons on the Home Screen grid through the paired iPhone's Watch app, supporting modular customization without deep nesting. watchOS emphasizes a single-app focus to optimize battery life and performance on the resource-constrained device, suspending inactive apps while allowing limited background refresh for tasks like notifications and data updates. The App Switcher, opened by double-clicking the Digital Crown (or side button in earlier versions), displays thumbnails of recently used apps for quick resumption, but only one app runs in the foreground at a time. Background execution is restricted, with apps entering a suspended state upon deactivation; however, developers can implement background refresh via APIs for periodic updates, such as fetching new emails or workout data, subject to system limits to prevent excessive battery drain. This design prioritizes glanceable, efficient interactions over full multitasking, ensuring the interface remains responsive during movement or brief glances.

Watch Faces and Complications

Watch faces in watchOS serve as the customizable home screen of the Apple Watch, allowing users to select from a variety of designs that display the time along with personalized elements. These faces include options such as Modular, which supports up to eight complications for data-rich layouts; , offering a simple analog style with color and style variations; Motion, featuring animated elements like or breath reminders; and Astronomy, which visualizes celestial bodies with customizable colors and orbital animations. Additional faces like Infograph provide modular grids for multiple complications, while newer additions in watchOS 11 and 12, such as with its dynamic scrolling colors, Reflections with its shimmering dial that reacts to wrist movements, face using personal photos for dynamic backgrounds, and Exactograph in watchOS 12 reimagining traditional regulator designs by separating hours, minutes, and seconds, emphasize visual variety and personalization. Complications are compact, glanceable widgets integrated into watch faces that deliver timely information from apps, such as updates, events, or activity progress, without requiring users to open the app. Available in various sizes and shapes—small, medium, large, or graphic—they occupy designated slots on compatible faces, enabling quick access to data like stock prices or . For instance, the Modular face can accommodate one to eight complications, while simpler faces like X-Large limit them to one central slot. Customization occurs primarily through the Face Gallery in the Apple Watch app on , where users browse categories like Health & Fitness or , select a face, adjust colors, fonts, and animations, and add complications by tapping slots and choosing from available apps. Photo integration allows faces like or Memories to pull from the user's , creating dynamic backgrounds that change throughout the day. Limits on complications vary by face type to maintain readability, with users able to edit or add faces directly on the watch via the Clock app or by swiping in the My Watch collection. Introduced in watchOS 7 for compatible hardware like Series 5 and later, the feature keeps select watch faces visible at a dimmed 1Hz when the wrist is down, showing time and complications to balance constant visibility with battery . This reduces power consumption compared to full activation by limiting brightness and animations, though enabling it can shorten battery life by up to 8% in some usage scenarios versus wrist-raise wake. Low Power Mode further conserves energy by disabling Always On entirely.

Health and Fitness Features

Supported Metrics

watchOS supports a range of and fitness metrics through its integrated sensors and algorithms, enabling users to monitor key physiological passively throughout the day. These metrics are derived from hardware like the optical heart sensor, , , and, on compatible models, additional sensors for blood oxygen and ECG, with processed via on-device for privacy and efficiency. Heart rate monitoring is a core feature, utilizing the optical heart sensor based on photoplethysmography (PPG) to detect blood flow changes via green LED lights and photodiodes. This sensor measures during periods of inactivity, workout heart rate in real-time during physical activity, and background heart rate periodically to support features like high/low heart rate notifications. The measurement range is 30–210 beats per minute, with irregular rhythm notifications introduced in watchOS 5 on Series 1 and later, using algorithms to analyze data for potential (AFib) episodes. The Activity rings provide motivational tracking of daily movement through three concentric circles: the red Move ring, which fills based on active calories burned beyond ; the green Exercise ring, indicating minutes of elevated activity; and the blue Stand ring, tracking hourly movement for at least one minute (or one minute of rolling for users via the Roll ring). burn estimation relies on user-provided such as age, , , and gender to calculate (BMR), with active calories added for movement; for example, the standard Harris-Benedict equation for men is BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 × in kg) + (4.799 × in cm) - (5.677 × age in years), with adjusted variants for women (e.g., 447.593 + (9.247 × in kg) + (3.098 × in cm) - (4.330 × age in years)). These rings promote goal-setting, with weekly personalized Move goal adjustments based on past activity. Additional metrics include step count from data, distance traveled via motion s and GPS (built-in on GPS-enabled models or paired for accuracy), and changes detected during outdoor activities like , with the built-in Compass app providing altimeter functionality to display current elevation and changes. Blood oxygen levels, available on Series 6 and later (watchOS 7+), are measured using a red and LED in the Blood Oxygen app, providing spot-check saturation percentages; this feature received FDA clearance as a Class II in 2020. The ECG app, on Series 4 and later (watchOS 5+), captures electrical heart signals via the digital crown and back to classify rhythms as sinus or AFib, similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram, with FDA clearance for AFib detection. As of watchOS 11 (2024), additional metrics include (tracked during using and ), detailed stages (awake, core, deep, REM via , , and motion), and the Vitals app aggregating overnight metrics like , , wrist temperature, and duration for notifications if outside typical ranges. Apple Watch tracks wrist temperature by measuring changes every 5 seconds during sleep using two temperature sensors (one near the skin and one under the display), establishing a baseline after approximately 5 nights of at least 4 hours sleep each for detecting deviations useful in menstrual cycle tracking and general health monitoring (Series 8+). notifications, detecting moderate to severe cases via breathing disturbances, were introduced in watchOS 11 on Series 9, Ultra 2, and later, with FDA clearance in 2024. In watchOS 12 (September 2025), notifications alert users to possible high blood pressure trends based on wrist temperature, , and other data, available on Series 9 and later models. Certain metrics, including notifications, have FDA clearance as Class II medical devices, ensuring standards for over-the-counter use in detecting specific conditions. However, Apple emphasizes disclaimers that these features are not intended for , treatment, or as substitutes for professional medical advice, urging users to consult healthcare providers for any health concerns. Accuracy can vary based on fit, skin tone, and motion, with ongoing calibrations recommended for optimal performance.

HealthKit Integration

HealthKit serves as a centralized framework for storing and managing health and fitness data collected from the , , and compatible apps on watchOS. It acts as a secure repository where data from watchOS apps and built-in features, such as or activity rings, is stored locally on the device and synchronized to the paired 's Health app. Synchronization occurs automatically via when the Apple Watch is in proximity to the , or through when both devices are connected to the same network, ensuring seamless data transfer without manual intervention. User privacy is paramount in HealthKit's design, requiring explicit consent for any app on watchOS to read or write specific data types through a fine-grained process. Developers must request permissions individually for each category, such as steps or workouts, via the HKHealthStore , and users can revoke access at any time through device settings. All is encrypted on using the user's passcode or biometric authentication, with applied during iCloud backups for supported categories when two-factor authentication is enabled. Additionally, users can export their entire health dataset, including watchOS contributions, from the iPhone's Health app in XML format for sharing or backup purposes. In terms of API integration, watchOS apps utilize HealthKit's HKSample class as the foundational object for representing discrete health metrics, such as samples, which include metadata like timestamps and units. Developers query historical data using subclasses like HKSampleQuery to retrieve aggregated or specific samples from the store, enabling features like in fitness apps. For real-time updates, the framework supports background delivery through the enableBackgroundDelivery method on HKHealthStore, which notifies apps of new or deleted samples even when not actively running, subject to system resource constraints. watchOS 8 and later versions enhanced HealthKit's extensibility by improving data versioning and synchronization for shared workouts, allowing more reliable integration across devices, though clinical records in FHIR format remain inaccessible directly on watchOS apps and are managed via the . Third-party watchOS apps can leverage HealthKit to read from or contribute to the central store, fostering with Apple's ecosystem—for instance, a meditation app might write minutes that sync to the for comprehensive health insights—provided they obtain user authorization and adhere to privacy guidelines.

Activity Tracking and Workouts

The Activity app on motivates users to meet daily fitness goals through three color-coded rings representing Stand (hourly movement), Exercise (brisk activity minutes), and Move (active calories burned). Users can customize these rings, set weekly goals, pause them for rest days, and view trends in achievements like badges for consistent activity or sharing progress via Messages with friends for competitions. The Workout app provides tools for structured exercise sessions with over 80 pre-set activity types, including running (indoor and outdoor), swimming (pool and open water), and , allowing users to set goals for time, distance, or calories. Features like auto-pause automatically halt tracking during breaks in running and workouts, while splits display segmented performance data such as pace intervals, and zones show real-time intensity levels with time spent in each zone (e.g., 50-60% of max for light effort). Advanced capabilities include distinct modes for outdoor and indoor environments to optimize GPS and sensor accuracy, such as switching between outdoor runs for route mapping and indoor for calorie estimates without location data. For swimming, users set the pool length prior to starting to enable lap counting and stroke detection via , supporting freestyle, , and other styles. support, introduced in watchOS 4, replaces step tracking with push counts in the Activity rings and offers dedicated outdoor push workouts at walking or running paces, using tailored algorithms for accurate mobility metrics. From watchOS 7, the Workout app integrates with Apple Fitness+ for audio-guided sessions, delivering trainer-led runs, walks, and meditations via audio devices, with on-screen metrics like elapsed time and , and haptic notifications for pacing cues during Time to Run or Time to Walk experiences.

Ecosystem and Capabilities

Apps and Third-Party Development

watchOS features a suite of native applications designed to provide essential functionality directly on the , including Messages for communication, Maps for , and Music for audio playback. These apps, pre-installed on devices, leverage the operating system's capabilities to deliver core experiences without requiring constant interaction. Starting with watchOS 6, these native apps gained standalone functionality, allowing them to operate independently on cellular-enabled models, enabling users to send messages, access directions, or stream music without the paired iPhone nearby. The introduction of a dedicated on in watchOS 6 marked a significant expansion of the app ecosystem, permitting users to discover, search, and download third-party applications directly from the device using , dictation, or scribble input. This independent installation capability extends to complications—small, customizable widgets that integrate app data into watch faces for quick glances—and iPhone app extensions, which allow seamless data sharing between companion and watchOS versions. Prior to watchOS 6, all watch apps functioned as extensions of iOS counterparts and could not be installed or run standalone, limiting distribution to iPhone-based downloads. Developers build watchOS applications using the WatchKit framework, which provides essential infrastructure for managing app lifecycle, background tasks, and hardware interactions like the Digital Crown. For user interfaces, SwiftUI offers a declarative approach to creating responsive, adaptive layouts optimized for the small screen, supporting animations, haptics, and gesture-based navigation. Testing occurs primarily through Xcode's simulator, which emulates various models and watchOS versions to ensure compatibility and performance without physical hardware. watchOS app development emphasizes lightweight, glanceable designs to align with users' brief interactions, often lasting under a minute, as guided by Apple's . Complications and the prioritize concise, at-a-glance information to minimize battery impact and enhance usability. Before watchOS 6, the absence of cellular-only installations restricted apps to iPhone-dependent setups, reinforcing a focus on simple, efficient experiences rather than complex, resource-intensive features.

Siri and Communication

Siri serves as the primary voice assistant in watchOS, enabling hands-free interaction for a variety of tasks directly on the . Users can activate Siri by raising their wrist to speak (introduced in watchOS 5), pressing and holding the Digital Crown, or saying "Hey Siri" when the feature is enabled in settings. Once activated, Siri handles queries such as checking the weather, setting timers, or performing dictation for text input, processing many requests on-device to enhance speed and privacy. On-device dictation processing was introduced in watchOS 7 for faster, more reliable handling on compatible models like Series 4 and later. Expanded on-device Siri capabilities, including for common requests, arrived with watchOS 10 on Series 9 and later, allowing offline use without relying on an or internet connection. With watchOS 12, Apple Intelligence enables new features like Workout Buddy, an on-device AI coach that provides real-time encouragement and insights during workouts, integrated with Siri for voice-guided fitness support. Communication tools in watchOS facilitate quick connections without needing the paired iPhone. The Walkie-Talkie app, debuted in watchOS 5, enables push-to-talk audio exchanges between compatible Apple Watches over Wi-Fi or cellular networks, mimicking traditional walkie-talkies for instant, direct conversations with contacts. Phone calls can be made or received independently on cellular-enabled models or relayed through a nearby iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with Siri assisting by dialing contacts or answering incoming calls hands-free. Additionally, the Podcasts app, also introduced in watchOS 5, allows users to stream or play downloaded episodes on the go, with Siri capable of launching specific shows or resuming playback via voice commands. Messaging capabilities emphasize efficient, wrist-based responses within the Messages app, supporting and for seamless integration with . Users can reply to conversations using dictation for voice-to-text conversion, Scribble to handwrite letters that convert to typed words, selections for quick reactions, or predefined response options like "Yes" or "On my way." Group chats are fully supported, mirroring conversations where multiple participants can exchange messages, with the Apple Watch notifying users of new threads and allowing replies in real-time. For accessibility, watchOS includes Live Listen, a feature introduced in watchOS 3 that turns the into a for streaming audio from an 's to compatible Made for iPhone hearing aids or . This enables users to amplify sounds in noisy environments or from a distance, with the Watch displaying controls to start, pause, or adjust the live audio feed directly from the wrist. Recent updates, such as in watchOS 12, added live captions for Live Listen sessions, providing real-time text transcription on the Watch's display to further assist users with hearing impairments.

Connectivity and iOS Integration

watchOS relies on (BLE) for initial pairing with a compatible , where users hold the near the to trigger an automatic pairing screen via the Watch app, followed by positioning the Watch in the 's camera for secure . This process exchanges public keys before establishing the BLE connection, ensuring encrypted communication. Once paired, the maintains proximity-based connectivity through Bluetooth when the is nearby, switching to for extended range using the 's known networks (802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz, or 5 GHz on supported models), or cellular on GPS + Cellular variants for standalone operation without the . Through Apple's Continuity features, watchOS enables seamless integration with , allowing Handoff to transfer ongoing tasks—such as browsing in or navigating in Maps—from the to the iPhone or Mac by simply switching devices when they are in close proximity. Universal Clipboard supports copying text, images, or URLs on the and pasting them instantly on the paired iPhone, provided , , and Handoff are enabled. Additionally, authorization on the Watch confirms transactions initiated on the iPhone or Mac, enhancing security across the ecosystem. Data synchronization in watchOS occurs primarily through , which backs up and restores settings, , and app configurations during pairing or device switches, ensuring consistency across devices signed into the same . The network integrates the for location tracking, allowing users to locate a lost Watch via the iPhone's app or ping the iPhone from the Watch using its Precision Finding capabilities when nearby. Background app refresh, managed via iPhone settings, permits watchOS apps to update content opportunistically over or cellular, reducing latency for notifications and data while conserving battery. Connectivity in watchOS has evolved with iOS dependencies, initially requiring iOS 8.2 or later for the first-generation to enable core pairing and syncing functions. Family Setup, introduced in watchOS 7, initially required or later on an or newer; as of watchOS 12, it requires iOS 18 or later on or newer, allowing setup of cellular for family members without their own iPhones while maintaining and data sharing.

Hardware Compatibility

Supported Devices

watchOS supports a range of models, with compatibility determined by the hardware capabilities required for core and advanced features. The latest version, watchOS 12 as of September 2025, is compatible with Series 6 and later models, including Series 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11; SE (2nd generation) and later, such as SE 3; and all models, including Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. Basic functionality, such as timekeeping, notifications, and fitness tracking, is available on Series 1 and later models running older watchOS versions, but these older devices no longer receive updates beyond their maximum supported software. End-of-support for older models occurs gradually to align with advancing hardware needs. The original Apple Watch (Series 0) supports only up to watchOS 4.3.2, after which it was discontinued from further updates. Apple Watch Series 3 reached end-of-support after watchOS 9, while Series 4, Series 5, and the first-generation Apple Watch SE were dropped starting with watchOS 11, limiting them to watchOS 10 as their final version. Feature availability is tiered based on specific hardware integrations. Basic metrics like monitoring and step counting are supported from Series 1 onward, but advanced health features require newer sensors: the ECG app is available on Series 4 and later, blood oxygen monitoring on Series 6 and later (excluding SE models), and precision dual-frequency GPS for enhanced accuracy on Ultra models. functionality, which keeps the screen active without wrist raises, is gated to Series 5 and later due to LTPO display technology. The double-tap gesture, allowing control via index finger and thumb taps, is exclusive to Series 9, Ultra 2, and subsequent models with advanced neural engines. Regional variations affect standalone capabilities, particularly for cellular connectivity. GPS + Cellular models enable independent use without an nearby, but support depends on the of purchase, as models are optimized for specific LTE bands in areas like the , /, or mainland. Not all carriers or countries offer service; for example, over 100 countries support Apple Watch cellular plans as of , but users must verify compatibility with local providers.

Installation and Performance Requirements

watchOS updates are typically installed via the Watch app on a paired , where users navigate to the My Watch tab, select General > Software Update, and tap Download and Install if an update is available. This process requires the Apple Watch to be charged to at least 50 percent, placed on its charger, within range of the iPhone, and the iPhone connected to with the latest version. For devices running watchOS 6 or later, updates can also be performed directly on the by connecting to , opening Settings > General > Software Update, and initiating the download, provided sufficient battery remains. Normal software updates, including major versions, do not require unpairing the Apple Watch from the iPhone. Unpairing is necessary only in specific situations, such as switching to a new iPhone, selling or giving away the device, or resolving rare compatibility issues with older models like Series 3. If problems occur during an update, users should first restart both the Apple Watch and iPhone; if unresolved, unpair and restore from backup, as the iPhone automatically backs up watch data during unpairing. Storage capacities for Apple Watch models begin at 8 GB for early versions like Series 1 and 2 (with Series 3 GPS at 8 GB and Cellular at 16 GB), progressing to 16 GB in Series 4, 32 GB in Series 5 through 8, first-generation SE and Ultra, and 64 GB in Series 9 and later, second-generation SE, and second-generation Ultra and later. Installing updates often necessitates 2–4 GB of free space depending on the version; if storage is insufficient, users must delete apps, media, or photos via the Apple Watch app on under My Watch > General > Storage. Apple does not publicly disclose RAM specifications, but hardware analyses confirm early models like the original featured 512 MB, while Series 4 and subsequent models generally include 1 GB to support multitasking and app performance. To optimize performance, enable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery, which limits background app refresh, reduces display brightness, and disables certain features to conserve resources and extend runtime during demanding use. Additional tips include restarting the device periodically via Settings > General > Shut Down to clear temporary data, removing unused complications from watch faces to minimize periodic data fetches, and allowing the device to cool during prolonged workouts to avoid thermal throttling that impacts processing speed. Common troubleshooting for installation failures involves restarting both the Apple Watch and iPhone, ensuring stable Wi-Fi, or unpairing the watch in the Apple Watch app (My Watch > All Watches > Info button > Unpair Apple Watch) to erase and reinstall the software during re-pairing. For severe issues, recovery mode can be initiated by placing the Apple Watch near a compatible iPhone running iOS 15.4 or later, which prompts an Erase and Restore option over Bluetooth without data loss if backed up. Users seeking early access to updates can enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program by signing into beta.apple.com with an Apple ID, downloading the beta profile, and selecting watchOS betas in device settings.

Version History

Release Overview

watchOS follows a consistent annual release cadence, with major versions typically announced at Apple's (WWDC) in June and publicly released in September alongside new hardware. This pattern began with watchOS 1 in April 2015 and has continued through subsequent iterations, allowing developers via beta programs through the Apple Developer Program. In 2025, Apple adopted a year-based versioning system to unify numbering across its operating systems, jumping from watchOS 11 to watchOS 26 for the release covering the September 2025 to September 2026 cycle. Adoption rates for watchOS updates are high, reflecting strong user engagement with devices; for instance, watchOS 10 achieved approximately 70% adoption among compatible devices by mid-2024, with overall update rates reaching around 80% within the first few months of release. Beta testing contributes to this, as developers and public testers install previews starting from WWDC, enabling rapid refinement before general availability. The evolution of watchOS exhibits distinct thematic shifts across version groups: early releases (watchOS 1–3) emphasized foundational fitness tracking and basic functionalities to establish core activity monitoring. Subsequent versions (watchOS 4–6) prioritized app independence, introducing native app development and expanded third-party integration to reduce reliance on iPhone . From watchOS 7–10, the focus shifted toward advanced health features incorporating AI-driven insights, such as tracking and vital sign notifications. Later versions (watchOS 11 and beyond) deepen ecosystem integration, enhancing connectivity with , macOS, and emerging AI capabilities for more seamless cross-device experiences. In addition to major releases, watchOS receives point updates (e.g., watchOS 11.6 or hypothetical 12.1) throughout the year to address bugs, improve performance, and patch vulnerabilities, with (CVEs) detailed in Apple's security releases. These minor updates ensure ongoing stability, often delivering critical fixes without introducing new features.

Early Versions (watchOS 1–4)

watchOS 1, released on April 24, 2015, alongside the original , introduced the foundational interface and capabilities for the platform. It featured basic notifications that mirrored those from the paired , allowing users to view alerts, messages, and calls directly on the wrist. Glances provided quick, swipeable overviews of key information from apps like , , and activity without opening full applications. Fitness tracking was a core emphasis, with the Activity app displaying daily progress through three rings: Move for active calories, Exercise for vigorous activity, and Stand for hourly movement reminders; step counting and distance estimation were included via the . monitoring debuted as an optical sensor-based feature, enabling periodic checks and integration with workouts. watchOS 2, launched on September 21, 2015, marked a significant by enabling native app development on the , reducing reliance on extensions for processing. This update debuted complications as customizable elements on watch faces, allowing real-time data from apps like weather or calendar to be displayed in small slots. was introduced, permitting users to rotate the Digital Crown to preview future or past events on the watch face, such as upcoming appointments or recent activity summaries, enhancing proactive information access. Additional refinements included improved nightstand mode for charging and expanded third-party app support, though core functions still required an connection. watchOS 3, released on September 13, 2016, focused on performance enhancements, achieving up to 30% faster app launches through optimized storage and background processes. Complications became more prominent, with the ability to place them directly on the watch face for instant glances at metrics like or battery. The Breathe app was added to promote , guiding users through short sessions to reduce stress, integrated with the Activity rings for daily reminders. Workout detection improved with automatic pausing for activities like running, and a new interface organized apps in a scrollable list for quicker navigation. Battery life saw initial optimizations, extending usage to about 18 hours under typical conditions. watchOS 4, arriving on September 19, 2017, advanced fitness and media experiences with music streaming directly from the watch via headphones, supporting playlists without an iPhone nearby. Workout features were enhanced with smart coaching, providing personalized suggestions based on activity history, and support for . Siri Watch Face customization allowed complications to update dynamically based on time, location, and routines, making the interface more proactive. Fall detection was previewed but fully implemented later; overall, the update refined dependency by enabling more standalone operations while prioritizing battery efficiency through adaptive . Across these early versions from 2015 to 2018, watchOS maintained a strong dependency on a paired for setup, app installation, and advanced syncing, limiting standalone use to basic notifications and fitness tracking. Initial battery optimizations emphasized low-power modes and efficient sensor usage, achieving all-day battery life despite the device's small form factor and emerging feature set.

Expansion Versions (watchOS 5–9)

The expansion versions of watchOS, spanning releases from 5 to 9, marked a pivotal shift toward greater device independence and deeper health monitoring capabilities, enabling users to rely less on paired iPhones for core functions while introducing advanced wellness tools. This era emphasized standalone app ecosystems, on-wrist communication, and personalized health insights, transforming the into a more autonomous companion for daily life and fitness. watchOS 5, released in September 2018, introduced , allowing users to communicate instantly with other owners via push-to-talk over or cellular without needing their nearby. The update also brought the Podcasts app to , enabling direct streaming and offline downloads of episodes for on-the-go listening. Siri processing shifted to on-device for improved speed and in handling queries like or reminders, reducing latency compared to cloud reliance. Additionally, the new app measured environmental sound levels in decibels, alerting users to potential hearing risks in loud settings. Building on this foundation, watchOS 6, released in September 2019, launched the App Store directly on Apple Watch, allowing users to discover, download, and run third-party apps independently without iPhone mediation, fostering a more self-contained ecosystem. The Noise app expanded with audiogram testing, enabling users to assess hearing health through on-device tone detection and generate shareable reports for medical consultation. Voice Memos gained native support for recording, editing, and transcribing audio directly on the watch, with seamless syncing to iCloud. A new Calculator app provided quick on-wrist computations, including tip calculations and bill splitting for everyday utility. watchOS 7, released in September 2020, introduced tracking, which monitored stages like REM and core sleep overnight, offering insights into sleep quality and trends via the Health app to promote better habits. International calling became possible for cellular models, allowing direct outbound calls to numbers worldwide without an , enhancing global connectivity. Family Setup extended GPS + Cellular functionality to family members without iPhones, enabling independent use for children or seniors with location sharing and . In watchOS 8, released in September 2021, the app debuted with guided breathing sessions and mood logging to support mental wellness practices, including reflections on emotional states. mode for allowed users to capture and view depth-enhanced images on the watch, with adjustable effects for creative editing. Smart Stack complications evolved into a more intelligent widget system, automatically surfacing relevant information like weather or reminders based on time, location, and habits. watchOS 9, released in September 2022, added medication reminders through a dedicated app that tracked schedules, logged adherence, and warned of interactions for better management. For users with history, the Health app now displayed AFib event timelines and burden estimates to aid in monitoring cardiac health trends. Running workouts incorporated form metrics such as vertical oscillation, stride length, and ground contact time, providing runners with data to refine technique and prevent injury. Overall, these versions underscored a progression toward Apple Watch autonomy—evident in native app expansion and cellular —while deepening integrations from auditory to comprehensive and cardiac , empowering users with proactive wellness tools.

Advanced Versions (watchOS 10–11)

watchOS 10, released in September 2023, introduced significant advancements in and interaction paradigms, emphasizing AI-driven and gesture-based controls. The Smart Stack feature provided a dynamic widget system that intelligently surfaces relevant information based on time, location, and user habits, leveraging to prioritize content such as weather updates or calendar events without manual navigation. The double-tap gesture enabled hands-free operation for tasks like answering calls or scrolling through widgets, using advanced from the and to detect precise finger movements. Additionally, enhanced cycling workouts incorporated real-time metrics like power output and elevation, integrating with the Health app for deeper performance analysis and route suggestions. Building on these foundations, watchOS 11, released in September 2024, deepened integration with health sensors and expanded offline capabilities to support more proactive user experiences. The Vitals app aggregated overnight health data from , , and stages to deliver a daily readiness score, helping users assess recovery and adjust activities accordingly. Training load metrics in the Fitness app used AI algorithms to evaluate workout intensity over time, providing personalized recommendations to optimize training and prevent overexertion. Offline maps allowed users to download regions for without cellular or connectivity, enhancing utility during hikes or travels by combining GPS data with topographic details. These versions emphasized AI-driven personalization and expanded sensor exploitation for proactive insights, marking a maturation in watchOS's .

Recent Versions (watchOS 26)

watchOS versions underwent a significant numbering overhaul in 2025, aligning with Apple's decision to synchronize version numbers across its operating systems to match the , resulting in a jump from watchOS 11 (released in 2024) directly to watchOS 26, with no intermediate versions 12 through 25 issued. This change was announced at the (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, to unify branding for , macOS, watchOS, and other platforms under version 26. As a result, watchOS 26 represents the immediate successor to watchOS 11, introducing refinements in design, monitoring, and user interaction while building on prior maturity in AI and integration. watchOS 26 was publicly released on September 15, 2025, for compatible models including Series 6 and later, as well as Ultra and SE variants. Key features emphasize enhanced and fitness capabilities, such as AI-powered for workouts via the new Workout Buddy, which provides real-time guidance and personalization based on user data. The update also introduced hypertension notifications to alert users of potential high trends using existing sensor data, alongside a native Sleep Score metric for more comprehensive rest analysis. Visually, it adopted a refreshed "Liquid Glass" for interfaces, improving readability and fluidity on the display. Additional refinements in watchOS 26 include gesture-based controls, such as a wrist flick to dismiss notifications, streamlining daily interactions without input. A new Notes app was added for quick voice or scribble-based directly on the watch, enhancing features. These updates prioritize cross-platform harmony with 26, enabling seamless data sharing for alerts and focus modes, while incorporating sustainability tweaks like optimized battery modes for extended use. On November 3, 2025, Apple released watchOS 26.1 as a maintenance update focused on stability, , and . This point release addresses vulnerabilities in Apple Account authentication, preventing malicious apps from accessing sensitive data, and includes general bug fixes to improve app reliability and system responsiveness. It also adds support for additional languages and refines Focus modes with better integration for do-not-disturb scenarios during workouts or sleep. As of November 2025, watchOS 26.2 remains in beta testing, previewing further enhancements like expanded AI predictive alerts, but no public details on broader version progression beyond 26 have been confirmed.

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