Apple on Tuesday release watchOS 3, the newest version of their operating system for the Apple Watch. The update is a significant one, bringing a much improved user interface, new apps and watch faces, and greatly improved performance over previous versions of the OS.
Installing watchOS 3
- Make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 10, which was also released earlier today.
- Make sure your Apple Watch has at least 50% battery power remaining, is connected to its charger, and is in range of your iPhone.
- Go to the Apple Watch app on the iPhone, tap the “My Watch” tab, and then tap: “General” -> “Software Update.” Then, just follow the prompts.
- Be patient, the Apple Watch takes an extended period of time to update.
Once the update is installed, and your Apple Watch has rebooted, you’ll find a number of new apps and features, as well as greatly improved performance. (My Apple Watch felt like a different watch after installing an early beta of watchOS 3, and the performance has only gotten better with each new release.)
New Features of watchOS 3
watchOS 3 brings a number of new features to your Apple Watch, as well as improved performance. Some of the new features include:
- A new Dock which offers quick access to favorite and recently used apps. Apps launched form here launch almost instantly, cutting down on that horrible waiting time experienced under earlier versions of watchOS. Pressing the side button brings up the new Dock.
- Swipe right or left from a watch face to change to a new watch face.
- Swipe upward to access the new Control Center.
- Swipe down to access the Notification Center.
- Share your workout results with the new Sharing feature in the Activity app.
- There are now workouts and activities for wheelchair users.
- There are also new Reminders, Find My Friends, and Heart Rate apps.
- New watch faces are available, including a Minnie Mouse watch face.
- An new SOS feature can automatically call emergency services, and contact your emergency contact.
- The Apple Watch can now be used to unlock late model Macs.
- A revamped Messages app offers a new “Scribble” feature to reply to messages by drawing on the Watch with a finger.
By updating your Apple Watch to watchOS 3, you’ll find it almost feels like a completely different watch. Enjoy!
