Apple Watch OS 9 update: What are its new features and how to get it

Apple Watch OS 9 update: What are its new features and how to get it
HIGHLIGHTS

You can download WatchOS 9 now.

Check out the compatible Apple Watches and how to install WatchOS 9.

We have also listed the new WatchOS 9 features.

Apple has launched the WatchOS 9 for Apple Watch Series 4 or later. To update, you need to have the Apple Watch paired to iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later, running iOS 16. We will get to the new Apple Watch features that WatchOS 9 brings shortly, but before that, let’s see how you update to the latest Apple Watch software version.

How to update Apple Watch to WatchOS 9

Here's how to get WatchOS 9 on Apple Watch:

  • Keep the watch connected to a charger while you update it.
  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone with iOS 16.
  • In the main My Watch screen, tap on the General option.
  • Click on the Software Update option.
  • You should see the WatchOS 9 update if you have the eligible device.
  • Ensure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are on the same Wi-Fi connection and press on Download and Install.
  • Once the WatchOS 9 download file is ready, it will automatically start installing on the Apple Watch. The watch will reboot during the process.

So once it boots to the watch face, you can check out the new WatchOS 9 features.

What’s new on WatchOS 9

Apple WatchOS 9 watch faces

1. New Watch Faces

  • Lunar which shows date and time as per the lunar calendar
  • Playtime, which has a goofy font for time
  • Metropolitan, which looks like a classic analog watch face
  • Astronomy, which is similar to the new iOS 16 wallpapers and presents star map and cloud data.

Even the older watch faces get some overhaul. The Modular watch face now allows for a colorful background.

There are new Workout app features also.

2. Set custom workouts

3. Check heart rate zones

4. Multisport workout types for duatheletes and triatheletes

5. In-depth running stats like Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Pace alerts, and Vertical Oscillation

6. SWOLF score for swimmers

7. Backtrack routing and Waypoint mapping option in the compass app

WatchOS 9 AFiB and Backtrack

8. Sleep stages (like REM, Core, or Deep sleep)

9. AFib history that's downloadable and shareable as PDF

Apple WatchOS 9 cycle tracking

10. Cycle tracking which also alerts the user of any irregularity

11. Low Power Mode (without background heart rate monitoring and Always-On display)

12. Less intrusive notification banners

For more technology newsproduct reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

G. S. Vasan

G. S. Vasan

Vasan is a word weaver and tech junkie who is currently geeking out as a news writer at Digit. View Full Profile

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