Apple Watch owners can unlock a truckload of new features with the arrival of watchOS 11 at 6pm tonight. The free software upgrade adds a host of new features, including a new Vitals app, a redesigned Smart Stack, AI-powered translation capabilities, and new watch faces to refresh the look of your Apple-branded smartwatch.
watchOS 11 will be available to download and install from 6pm on September 16.
Since watchOS 11 only works when paired with an iPhone running iOS 18, you'll need to make sure you've updated your smartphone before you start looking to unlock the new Apple Watch features. The iOS 18 release time is scheduled for 6pm September 16 too — exactly the same time as the new Apple Watch operating system rolls-out — so you'll need to update your iPhone first before taking action with watchOS 11.
watchOS 11 includes a new Photos face that's designed to help you find the best photo options from your library by analysing thousands of photos using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to match the best shot with the ideal composition and filter
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Starting from watchOS 6 and newer, you can kickstart the operating system upgrade from the Apple Watch. To do that, ensure your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi, then navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. If watchOS 11 is available, hit Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
The blockbuster new software will only be available if you have an Apple Watch that's compatible with the new operating system. The models that support watchOS 11 are:
But that's not the only requirement.
As mentioned above, not only will you need one of the Apple Watch models above, but you'll also need to ensure that you've got an iPhone Xs or newer running iOS 18 in your pocket. If you're unsure whether your iPhone model is compatible with that update, we've rounded-up everything you need to know about iOS 18.
If you treat yourself to the all-new Apple Watch Series 10, it will come preinstalled with watchOS 11.
Before starting the process of downloading and installing watchOS 11, make sure you haven't got any immediate need for your Apple Watch. Depending on the age of your Apple Watch and your home broadband speed, it can take some time to complete the process — and you won't be able to use Apple Watch to track your movements, calories, heart-rate, sleep or anything else while it's installing watchOS 11.
It's recommended to keep your paired iPhone nearby during the installation.
watchOS 11 will be available in the UK and across the world today (September 16). The complete list of release date and release times are as follows:
Apple has created an entirely new app, dubbed Vitals, for watchOS 11 that brings together all of the health data gathered by the wearable and warns wearers about any worrying changes in trends
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If you missed the announcement Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference earlier this summer, we've rounded up some of the biggest new additions coming in watchOS 11.
Apple has built an entirely new app called Vitals for watchOS 11, which brings together a comprehensive view of all of the key health metrics already gathered and analysed by the Apple Watch.
There's no new data per se, but it's a nifty one-stop shop to analyse your heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. Launching Vitals on your Watch, you can quickly check your daily health status and spot any metrics that have fallen outside of the typical range.
This health-focused app is able to ping you with notifications when multiple metrics are unusual, providing context on how these changes might be linked to factors like elevation changes or alcohol consumption. Apple says it's using an algorithm developed using real-world data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study.
The Smart Stack feature receives a significant upgrade in watchOS 11, offering users more personalised and timely information. For those who don't know, Smart Stack is the name of the AI-curated feed of widgets that appears over-the-top of your watch face when you scroll the Digital Crown upwards.
The Smart Stack will now preemptively suggest widgets with information from inside Apple Watch apps based on time of day, the current date, your location, and daily routines, making it easier to access relevant features. For instance, a severe weather alerts widget may appear before an impending thunderstorm at your current location.
Apple has redesigned a swathe of widgets for the improved Smart Stack, which will now preemptively load-up crucial information from inside your Apple Watch apps based on the time of day, your usual routine, and your location
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Apple has also designed new widgets, including Shazam, Photos, and Distance, that'll start to appear as soon as you've upgraded to watchOS 11. Live Activities, which have been available on iPhone since the introduction of iOS 16, are included in the Smart Stack, providing real-time updates for ongoing events or tasks.
The Translate app makes its debut on Apple Watch with watchOS 11, supporting 20 languages.
Users can type or dictate phrases for instant translation, with the option to play translations aloud or slow them down for better pronunciation. This feature works even without a paired iPhone, provided the language is downloaded to the Apple Watch beforehand — handy if you're travelling and don't want to pay extortionate roaming charges to use mobile data abroad.
If you've downloaded the language to your Apple Watch ahead of time, you can translate in real-time by dictating to the wearable without the need for an active Wi-Fi or 4G mobile data connection
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The Smart Stack's intelligence can automatically suggest the Translate app widget when users travel to locations with different languages. For added convenience, the double tap gesture now allows users to scroll through any app, including Translate, making one-handed interaction easier than ever.
You'll need an Apple Watch Series 9 or newer to use the double-tap gesture, which detects when you've tapped your thumb and forefinger together to dismiss notifications, answer incoming calls, and take action inside apps — like the incoming Translate app.
