watchOS 10
watchOS 10 compatible devices
| Device Name | SOC | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | S9 | 2023-09-22 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | S9 | 2023-09-22 |
| Apple Watch Ultra | S8 | 2022-09-23 |
| Apple Watch Series 8 | S8 | 2022-09-16 |
| Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) | S8 | 2022-09-16 |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | S7 | 2021-10-15 |
| Apple Watch Series 6 | S6 | 2020-09-18 |
| Apple Watch SE (1st generation) | S5 | 2020-09-18 |
| Apple Watch Series 5 | S5 | 2019-09-20 |
| Apple Watch Series 4 | S4 | 2018-09-21 |
Requirements
watchOS 10 requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 17 or newer.
Users with an Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, first-generation Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, second-generation Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 8, or Apple Watch Ultra paired with an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X cannot update their watches to watchOS 10.
Exploring watchOS 10: What's New and Exciting?
watchOS 10, released in 2023, introduced numerous features and enhancements designed to enhance the user experience and functionality of the Apple Watch.
Smart Stack and Redesigned Interface
The Smart Stack is a new feature that displays relevant widgets and information right when you need them, accessible by turning the Digital Crown. This includes timely updates from apps like Apple Music and Podcasts, as well as an analog clock and the current date at the top. The Control Center is now more accessible by tapping the side button, while double-clicking the Digital Crown brings you back to recently used apps.
New Watch Faces
watchOS 10 introduces two new watch faces:
- Palette: A dynamic face that transitions through overlapping layers of color throughout the day.
- Snoopy: Featuring Snoopy and Woodstock from Peanuts, this interactive face responds to weather changes and workouts.
Enhanced Cycling Features
Cyclists benefit from advanced metrics, including cycling power (watts), cadence (RPM), and personalized Power Zones, all supported by Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories like power meters and speed sensors. These metrics are displayed through optimized Workout Views and transferred to your iPhone as a Live Activity.
Hiking Enhancements
The Compass app now automatically generates two new waypoints: the Last Cellular Connection Waypoint and the Last Emergency Call Waypoint. These waypoints help you locate the last places with cellular reception or where an emergency call could be made. Additionally, Apple Maps in the U.S. now offers a detailed topographic map with contour lines, elevation details, and points of interest.
Mental Health and Vision Health
The Mindfulness app now includes tools to log your emotions and daily moods, offering insights into your mental health over time. For vision health, the Apple Watch measures time spent in daylight using its ambient light sensor, helping to reduce the risk of myopia, especially in children.
Apple Fitness+ Enhancements
Apple Fitness+ gains new features like Custom Plans, allowing users to set their workout preferences, and Stacks, which enables multiple workouts and meditations to be grouped together for seamless transitions. The new Audio Focus feature lets users prioritize either music or trainer's voice during workouts.
Enterprise Features
For enterprise users, watchOS 10 introduces hands-free communication options, Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities, and enhanced safety features like improved fall detection for workers on job sites.
Additional Features
Other notable additions include offline maps, video message playback for FaceTime, support for group FaceTime audio calls, and the NameDrop feature for easily sharing contact information.
watchOS 10 continues to build on the robust functionality of previous versions, offering new ways to stay connected, improve fitness, and manage health.