Apple is gearing up to release watchOS 11 alongside the Apple Watch Series 10. This software update was first revealed at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) in June and is packed with new and improved features that will benefit all types of Apple Watch users.
We have been testing the various versions of watchOS 11 betas ever since Apple started rolling them out. We have thoroughly examined the new features to understand their functionality. Some standout features include the latest version of Smart Stack, a redesigned Photos face, and exciting changes to the Activity Rings tool.
Here’s a detailed look at watchOS 11, its features, and the expected release date.
When will Apple launch watchOS 11?
The first version of watchOS 11 is expected to be released for current Apple Watch users around this time. It could be on the event day of September 9 or a few days later. While the exact release date is not confirmed, it should fall within this timeframe.
Compatible Apple Watches for watchOS 11
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The watchOS 11 update requires users to have an iPhone XS or later with iOS 18 installed. The update will come preinstalled on the 2024 Apple Watch models and will also work on the following existing Apple Watch models:
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
Note that not all features are available on every single Apple Watch model.
The revised Smart Stack
The Apple Watch Smart Stack tool was first introduced in watchOS 10 to quickly display important information through widgets. With watchOS 11, Apple has enhanced Smart Stack by adding time and location elements through improved widgets and Live Activities.
For example, weather widgets may alert you to an upcoming storm or the latest sports scores. The Smart Stack information changes dynamically based on time, location, and activities. This feature works with both native and third-party apps, and it is expected to become more valuable over time as developers adopt it. Users can access Smart Stack by using the Digital Crown or Double Tap on compatible watches, providing quick access to frequently used apps like Music, Workouts, and Messages.
More customizable activity rings
In watchOS 11, Apple introduces the ability to pause activity rings and customize them on a per-day basis, addressing a significant limitation of the previous versions. Users can now pause rings for a day, week, or month without losing streaks, offering more flexibility in achieving fitness goals. These updates add much-needed flexibility to the activity rings tool, making it easier to adjust goals for specific days or maintain streaks with ease.
The new Vitals app
The new Vitals feature in watchOS 11 makes it easier to monitor critical health metrics overnight, providing valuable insights into overall well-being. These metrics include heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen level, and sleep duration, offering alerts when metrics deviate from normal ranges and providing contextual information on the potential causes.
Get to know your Training Load
With the Training Load calculator in watchOS 11, users can track the stress and strain on their bodies from daily physical activities, providing insight into workout intensity and duration over time. This information aids in planning future workouts efficiently, with the tool available in the Activity app.
Custom workout improvements
WatchOS 11 introduces new workout features, including distance and route maps for activities like rowing and custom workouts for swimming. All custom workouts now have a preview of upcoming activities, enhancing the workout experience.
Updates to Cycle Tracking
Cycle Tracking in watchOS 11 undergoes a transformation for pregnant users, with features to monitor gestation age, track pregnancy metrics, and provide alerts for health factors specific to pregnancy.
Say bonjour to the Translate app
The Translate app, popular on iPhones, now extends to the Apple Watch, supporting 20 languages for translation using typing, dictation, and playback. Users can download language packs directly to the watch for offline use, enhancing accessibility through the Smart Stack feature.
Redesigned Photos face
Apple introduces a redesigned Photos watch face in watchOS 11, leveraging machine learning to create dynamic watch faces from users’ photo libraries or curated selections from Apple. This feature refreshes the watch face content constantly, offering a personalized experience.
Other watchOS 11 features
Other features in watchOS 11 include offline hikes in national park Maps, expanded capabilities of the Double Tap gesture, and a new Check In feature for notifying contacts of your location or status. These additions enhance the Apple Watch experience and provide practical benefits for users in various scenarios.
