Apple today released watchOS 10.1 to the public, an update to the watchOS 10 operating system that was released in September. watchOS 10.1 brings several new features to the Apple Watch, including Double Tap and NameDrop.
watchOS 10.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to “General” -> “Software Update.” The Apple Watch needs to have at least a 50% battery charge, needs to be on a charger, and needs to be in the range of the iPhone.
NameDrop allows users to tap an Apple Watch on another Apple Watch or iPhone to exchange contact information with someone.
With the new Double Tap gesture, users can easily control their Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 using just one hand and without touching the display. Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly perform many of the most common actions.
Apple’s full release notes for the update are below.
watchOS 10.1 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
- Double tap gesture can be used to perform the primary action in notifications and most apps so you can answer a call, play and pause music, stop a timer, and more (Available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2)
- NameDrop allows you to exchange contact information with someone new by simply bringing your Apple Watch near their iPhone with iOS 17 or Apple Watch (Available on Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra)
- My Card is available as a complication for quick access to NameDrop
- Fix for bug that causes the climate section in the Home app to be blank
- Addresses an issue that causes a white selection border to be unexpectedly displayed after turning off AssistiveTouch
- Fixes an issue where cities may not sync between iPhone and watch in Weather
- Resolves an issue where the scroll bar may unexpectedly be visible on the display
- Fix for bug that causes elevation to be incorrect for some users
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222