Apple WatchOS 9 (2022): New Features, How to Download, Compatibility
If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is by far the best fitness tracker. Perhaps the only downside (besides battery life) is that Apple’s healthcare software has historically been a bit lacking. It’s not uncommon for Apple Watch users to immediately transfer their data to more useful and actionable software like Strava or Nike Run Club. But that could change with a whole host of new fitness features debuting in WatchOS 9.
If features like stride length measurement and vertical oscillation work as intended, they could easily make the Apple Watch the best running watch and the best watch for endurance athletes, period. There are also a number of brand new features of the new Series 8, such as B. the crash detection and a body temperature sensor that helps people who want to get pregnant to track their fertility. Here we break down all the major new features in WatchOS 9. Don’t forget to check out our Best Apple Watch and Best Apple Watch Accessories guides to learn more.
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Is your Apple Watch compatible?
Can your watch download WatchOS 9? The following models are compatible:
- Apple watch series 4
- Apple watch series 5
- Apple watch SE (2020)
- Apple watch series 6
- Apple watch series 7
- Apple watch SE (2022)
- Apple watch series 8
- Apple watch Ultra
You will also need an iPhone with iOS 16 support, including iPhone 8 (2017) or later. Check out our roundup of iOS 16 features for instructions on how to download the new operating system to your handset.
How to install WatchOS 9
You can install WatchOS 9 with either your iPhone or your Apple Watch. Whichever method you choose, make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and running iOS 16, and that your Apple Watch battery has (at least) 50 percent charge. You also need to make sure your watch and iPhone are side by side to keep them within reach.
To update your watch using your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and tap the My clock tab. Then tap General > software update and Download. From there you will see a progress wheel on your Apple Watch indicating that the update has begun. If you want to install an update directly on the Apple Watch, you need to make sure the watch is connected to Wi-Fi. Then open the Settings app on your watch and tap General > software update > To install.
WatchOS 9 installation can take up to an hour, so make sure you don’t need to access your smartwatch during this time. If you need it, you can update your Apple Watch overnight instead. When you get a notification that the new operating system is available for download, tap the Update tonight Possibility. Then confirm on your iPhone that you want to update your clock overnight. Before you go to bed, make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are charged throughout the night.
Health and fitness features
Photo: apple
There are a number of improvements to the Apple Watch’s health and fitness apps. Here are the facts.
Better training views
Photo: apple
To better streamline your workouts, Apple updated its Workout app to show more stats, and you can rotate the digital crown to cycle through different views like heart rate zones, activity rings, and power and elevation. You also have the ability to create custom workouts with work and rest intervals, as well as heart rate, pace, power and cadence alerts during your workout.
compass app
Photo: apple
The redesigned compass app now has a hybrid view that includes both the basic analog compass showing direction and bearing, and a new digital one. Rotating the crown reveals relevant navigation information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and tilt. It also includes new orienteering features like waypoints and backtrack. Tap the waypoint icon to place a marker at a point of interest. Backtrack uses GPS data to show the user where they’ve been if they get lost and need to turn back.
Detailed running metrics
Anyone who uses an Apple Watch while running will be pleased to know that you can now track new metrics like ground contact time, stride length and vertical oscillation, all of which can help improve your form. You can add them to your workout views or view them in the Fitness app summary, as well as in the Health app (Fitness app is finally available for iPhones iOS 16+). You can also spot trends and patterns over time.
Fitness+ features
Photo: apple
If you’re using AirPlay to stream your Fitness+ workouts to a second screen (e.g., if it’s compatible) instead of the Apple TV. Speaking of metrics, there’s also a new “Trainer Callouts” feature built into your stats — with phrases like “Hard” and “All out!” — to help you increase your intensity levels throughout your workout.
sleep stages
Photo: apple
Sleep tracking now shows different sleep stages. With the help of the heart rate sensor and accelerometer, your smartwatch recognizes when you are in REM, core and deep sleep. You can check this data every morning with the Sleep app on the watch. A more detailed breakdown that includes things like sleep duration, heart rate and breathing rate, and sleep comparison charts syncs to the Health app.
Log your medication
Photo: apple
In iOS 16, the Health app now offers a new Medicines tab. You can use it to log medications, create schedules, and set reminders. These reminders will then appear on your Apple Watch (and your iPhone), with the ability to log the moment you take them by tapping the notification on your watch.
Track your AFib history
Photo: apple
If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, you can now turn on the Atrial Fibrillation History feature to receive a weekly update for deeper insights into your condition. You can see an estimate of how often your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation and how other factors like exercise, sleep and alcohol affect your atrial fibrillation. You can also access a detailed medical history through the Health app – with the option to download a PDF to give to your GP. According to Apple, the feature “has received a number of local clearances and approvals from health authorities around the world and will be available in more than 100 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Mexico, South Africa, the UK and more.” It will be available in Australia later this autumn.
Temperature sensing (Series 8 and Ultra only)
Photo: apple
With a dual-sided temperature sensor — one on the back of the smartwatch near your skin and one below the display — the Apple Watch Series 8 has a new feature that can help you identify changes in your body based on your temperature. While you’re sleeping, it can take your wrist temperature to detect differences from your baseline temperature that could be caused by something like illness or exhaustion. When you track your period with the Health app, you get “retrospective ovulation estimates” to help with family planning and improve your period predictions.