watchOS 8
watchOS 8 compatible devices
| Device Name | SOC | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Apple Watch Series 3 | S3 | 2017-09-22 |
Requirements
watchOS 8 requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15 or newer.
Users with an Apple Watch Series 3 or Apple Watch Series 4 paired with an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus cannot update their watches to watchOS 8.
Exploring watchOS 8: What's New and Exciting?
watchOS 8, released in 2021, brought a variety of new features and enhancements to improve the functionality and user experience of the Apple Watch.
New Watch Faces and Photos App
watchOS 8 introduced new watch faces, including the Portraits watch face, which uses portrait mode photos from your iPhone to create a layered effect, highlighting the subject. The Photos app was redesigned, making it easier to navigate and view collections, sync Memories and Featured Photos, and share photos via Messages and Mail.
Health and Wellness Enhancements
The new Mindfulness app replaces the Breathe app and introduces a new activity called Reflect, which guides users through mindfulness sessions. Sleep tracking has been improved with the addition of respiratory rate monitoring, measuring breaths per minute while sleeping. This data is integrated into the Health app, providing deeper insights into sleep health.
Fitness and Activity Improvements
New workout types were added, including Tai Chi and Pilates, which use custom algorithms to accurately track metrics. The Fitness app on Apple Watch now supports additional workout types and offers new features in Apple Fitness+, like Picture-in-Picture and improved filtering options.
Enhanced Messaging and Contacts
Messages now allow users to combine Scribble, dictation, and emoji in a single message. Users can also edit dictated messages, search for and send GIFs, and access the new Contacts app to browse, add, and edit contacts directly from the watch.
Focus Mode
Integrated with iOS 15, Focus mode helps users reduce distractions by filtering notifications based on what they are currently doing. This feature syncs across Apple devices, ensuring consistent focus settings.
Wallet and Home App Updates
The Wallet app now supports adding digital keys for home, office, and hotel rooms, and select TSA checkpoints in the US accept digital IDs stored in the Wallet app. The Home app was enhanced with new features, including the ability to view security camera feeds and use Intercom to communicate through HomePod speakers.
AssistiveTouch and Accessibility
watchOS 8 introduced AssistiveTouch, enabling users with upper-limb differences to interact with the Apple Watch using hand gestures. This feature uses built-in motion sensors to perform actions like answering calls and controlling an on-screen pointer.
Other Features
The update also brought multiple timers that can be labeled using Siri, more apps supporting the always-on display, and new Find My apps to locate lost items and devices.
Legacy
watchOS 8 built on the strengths of previous updates, enhancing health and fitness tracking, communication features, and overall usability. These improvements continue to make the Apple Watch an essential device for health, connectivity, and convenience.