watchOS 9
watchOS 9 compatible devices
| Device Name | SOC | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 requires an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16 or newer.
Users with an Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, first-generation Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, or Apple Watch Series 7 paired with an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus cannot update their watches to watchOS 9.
Exploring watchOS 9: What's New and Exciting?
watchOS 9, released in 2022, introduced a variety of new features and enhancements to improve the functionality and user experience of the Apple Watch.
New Watch Faces and Customization
watchOS 9 introduced four new watch faces:
- Astronomy: A remastered version of the classic face with updated graphics.
- Lunar: Supports Chinese, Islamic, and Hebrew calendars.
- Playtime: Features whimsical and interactive numbers.
- Metropolitan: Dynamic face that stretches as you rotate the crown.
Additionally, older faces received updates with modernized complications and background color editing options.
Enhanced Health and Fitness Features
AFib History: Users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can now track the frequency of their AFib episodes over time, providing valuable insights for managing their condition. This feature is FDA-cleared and offers weekly notifications and detailed history in the Health app.
Medications App: A new Medications app helps users manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements. Users can create medication lists, set up schedules and reminders, and receive alerts for potential interactions.
Sleep Stages: The Sleep app now provides detailed insights into sleep stages, including REM, Core, and Deep sleep, using signals from the accelerometer and heart rate sensor.
Fitness+ Enhancements: New on-screen guidance during workouts helps users maximize their sessions. This includes metrics for various activities such as HIIT, cycling, rowing, and treadmill workouts.
Improved Workout and Activity Tracking
New Metrics for Running: watchOS 9 adds three new running form metrics—Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation—helping users improve their running efficiency. The new Pacer feature guides users to meet target times by pacing their runs.
Multisport Workouts: A new mode automatically switches between swimming, cycling, and running, ideal for triathletes. SWOLF scores are now available for swimmers, providing efficiency metrics by combining stroke count and lap time.
Cardio Recovery: This feature estimates a user's cardio recovery score, an important indicator of cardiovascular health, based on heart rate data post-exercise.
Enhanced User Experience
Notifications: Redesigned notifications are less interruptive, arriving as slimline banners when the watch is actively used.
Low Power Mode: Extends battery life by disabling or limiting select features while maintaining core functions like activity tracking and fall detection.
International Roaming: Users can stay connected to cellular networks while traveling abroad with supported international roaming plans.
Legacy
watchOS 9 builds 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.