Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of watchOS 2 to developers, which is the version of watchOS 2 that will be released to the public on September 16 alongside iOS 9.
watchOS 2 requires iOS 9 and can be downloaded over-the-air through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update.
Today's golden master release follows five developer betas of watchOS 2, which were seeded to developers from June 8 to August 6, when the fifth and final beta was released.
watchOS 2 is the first major update to watchOS, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 2 introduces several new features developers can use to improve their apps, including more efficient native apps that run on the watch itself instead of the iPhone. The new software also allows developers to access the Taptic Engine and sensors like the heart rate monitor, microphone, and accelerometer.
Thanks to the new tools for developers, Apple Watch apps will be more complex, full-featured, and faster. Other features in watchOS 2 include photo and time-lapse watch faces, third-party Complications, a longer screen activation time, Time Travel, and a Nightstand mode that's activated when the Apple Watch is charging.
Apple is now selling refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 at discounted prices.
This is the first time the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 have been available through Apple's online refurbished store since the devices launched last September.
Refurbished pricing on the 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $369, down from $429, while ...
Apple today confirmed that watchOS 27 will not support the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra (first generation), or Apple Watch SE (second generation), effectively drawing a line at devices equipped with the S9 or S10 chip.
The only Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 27 are the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and SE 3.
The cuts are the biggest...
Apple today confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 9 is compatible with watchOS 27, after the device was mistakenly omitted from the software's official compatibility page.
Apple updated its website immediately following its WWDC 2026 keynote, and the watchOS 27 page listed a shorter compatibility list than many users expected: the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. ...
My battery life is AWFUL!! THis is back to WatchOS2 beta 1. The last beta I had battery life better than ever nearly 19 hours. Installed GM - won't last 5 hours. So disappointing!
I don't know if you have tried this or not, but if you set up the watch like new and not from a back up, it fixes the problem.
If you're experiencing battery issues unpair the watch and set it up as a new device. A lot of people on Reddit had the same issues, that fixes it. Also keep in mind that for several hours after the update it's likely restoring/updating things in the background and eating more battery than it normally will.
I updated last night and my battery life is normal today.
For anyone running the WatchOS 2 GM, is it buggy? I've held off on updating my watch because I heard it was crashing in the middle of workouts.......
It´s not good. A lot worse than last version. Buggy and battery life is 1/3 of what it was before. Just don´t understand how they can release this crap?? Native apps? Don´t think so.
I must be doing something wrong. I never installed a Watch OS2 beta. Have installed iOS 9 GM. Have the UDID's of both the iPhone and the watch registered to my developer account. Update says 1.0.1 is latest version. Any thoughts? UPDATE: NEVERMIND GOT IT!
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a ~5.5-inch outer display and a ~7.8-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.