The Apple Watch is set to receive new tools for health, fitness, and safety tracking with the upcoming release of WatchOS 11. This new software is expected to coincide with the launch of the next Apple Watch and rumored iPhone 16. Those interested can try out the public beta version of WatchOS 11, which is available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as the second-gen SE. It is important to note that features may change before the final release and that a backup of your Apple Watch and iPhone is recommended before installation, as reverting back to previous versions is not possible.
One of the highlights of WatchOS 11 is the ability to change your activity rings, allowing you to pause them for a day, week, or month, or set a custom target. Additionally, users can adjust their goals for each ring, including move, exercise, and stand goals. The Vitals app in WatchOS 11 tracks metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature during sleep tracking and displays this data in the morning for easy access. The Training Load feature helps users monitor the intensity of their workout routines, providing a 28-day weighted average of activity and effort ratings for cardio workouts like walks, runs, hikes, and rowing.
WatchOS 11 also introduces a new safety tool called Check In, accessible from both the Workout and Messages apps. This feature allows users to check in with a contact during a workout or set intervals based on time or destination. The redesigned Photos watch face offers more functionality, allowing users to customize the display of photos from their iPhone. The Remote app on the Apple Watch has added controls in WatchOS 11, such as muting, turning on captions, and powering off connected devices. The Translate app is now available on the Apple Watch, allowing users to translate phrases into different languages.
Additional features in WatchOS 11 include tools to track pregnancy in the Health app, Live Activities in the Smart Stack, offline mapping in Apple Maps for hiking, redesigned iMessage tapbacks, and the ability to navigate through apps using Double Tap. Users interested in trying out WatchOS 11 should also explore the new features in iOS 18, as the two software updates are linked. With the public beta available for testing, individuals can get a preview of these new features before the official release in the fall.
