WatchOS 9 rolled out on September 12, and we're very excited about the launch! Find out which Apple Watches are compatible with the latest version of watchOS, and which watchOS features are available now and which will be delayed.
Release Date for watchOS 9
Availability: watchOS 9 was released to the public on September 12, 2022
If you haven't updated yet, here's how to install watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch.
Which Apple Watches Work with watchOS 9?
All the new Apple Watches announced on September 7 at Apple's "Far Out" event will come with watchOS 9 already installed. Anyone with an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer can install watchOS 9. Unfortunately, Apple has ended support for the first generation of the Apple Watch SE, as well as the iPod Touch. Here's the full list of watchOS 9 compatible Apple Watches:
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
If your watch isn't compatible, it may be time for an upgrade. Read this to compare Apple Watch models to see which Series is right for you!
New watchOS 9 Features to Check Out
Here are some of the most talked-about new watchOS 9 features available in watchOS 9:
- The Workout app now includes Heart Rate Zones, new dynamic pacing options to help you with running, and support for triathlons.
- True sleep tracking will now track REM, Core, and Deep sleep and provide feedback on your sleep health.
- Medication tracking reminds you to take your medication, allows you to record when you've taken it, and alerts you to potential drug interactions.
- Notification banners will no longer interrupt you while you're using your Apple Watch.
Apple also announce a brand new high extreme sport version of the Apple Watch called the Apple Watch Ultra, so watchOS 9 includes new features just for the Ultra. They're mostly focused on athletic performance metrics and include things such as Ground Contact Time, Running Power, Vertical Oscillation, and Stride Length. For more on what we can expect out of watchOS 9 and the new Apple Watch Ultra, check out our full article on the Apple Watch Ultra.
If you're interested in learning how to use these and other new Apple Watch functions, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter to receive a one-minute how-to each day, delivered straight to your inbox!
