watchOS 9 is the ninth major release of watchOS for the Apple Watch series developed and distributed by Apple Inc.[3]
Product history[]
watchOS 9 is derived from iOS 16; both were announced on June 6 at the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference and were released on September 12, 2022.[4]
New features[]
VP of Technology Kevin Lynch and staff introduced the following new features at WWDC 2022:[5]
- Metrics — updated to improve user workouts.
- Sleep — records user sleep activity.
- Heart — updated with the ability to record atrial fibrillation (AFib) history of users.
- Medications — help users manage medications and supplements.
Some new accessibility features that Apple previewed as part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 17, 2022 include:[6][7]
- Apple Watch mirroring for users to control their watchOS device remotely from an iPhone.
- New Quick Actions to expand AssistiveTouch gestures in watchOS.
- Siri Pause Time to allow more time for users with speech disabilities to issue a voice command.
Features for new models announced on September 7, 2022, such as the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra:[8]
- Crash Detection from new sensors (also supported by the 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE).
- Ovulation detection from improved temperature sensing.
Supported devices[]
watchOS 9 added support for new models, while also dropping support for the Apple Watch Series 3, limiting it to models with 64-bit processors. An iPhone 8 or later running at least iOS 16 is also required to support the following models:[3][9][10]
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch SE (1st generation)
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8 (new model)
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) (new model)
- Apple Watch Ultra (new model)
- * Support ended for Apple Watch Series 3.
Release history[]
Version | Build | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
9.0 beta 1 | 20R5287q | 2022-06-06 | First developer beta.[11] |
9.0 beta 2 | 20R5307h | 2022-06-22 | 2nd developer beta.[12] |
9.0 beta 3 | 20R5316f | 2022-07-06 | 3rd developer beta.[13] |
9.0 beta 4 | 20R5332g | 2022-07-28 | 4th developer beta.[14] |
9.0 beta 5 | 20R5343e | 2022-08-08 | 5th developer beta.[15] |
9.0 beta 6 | 20R5353a | 2022-08-15 | 6th developer beta.[16] |
9.0 beta 7 | 20R5359a | 2022-08-23 | 7th developer beta.[17] |
9.0 RC | 20R361 | 2022-09-07 | Release candidate.[18] |
9.0 | 20R361 | 2022-09-12 | First official public release.[19] |
9.0.1 | 20R8380 | 2022-09-22 | Bug fix for distorted audio from phone calls using Apple Watch Ultra speakers.[20][21] |
9.0.2 | 20R383 | 2022-10-10 | Bug fixes for microphone, notifications, syncing, and Spotify streaming.[22][23] |
9.1 | 20S75 | 2022-10-24 | Bug fixes.[24] |
9.2 | 20S361 | 2022-12-13 | Addressing track workout bug in Apple Fitness.[25] |
9.3 | 20S648 | 2023-01-23 | Support for Security Keys for Apple ID (supported iPhone or iPad required).[26][27] |
9.3.1 | 20S648 | 2023-02-13 | Bug fixes.[28] |
9.4 | 20T253 | 2023-03-27 | Bug fixes.[29] |
9.5 | 20T562 | 2023-05-18 | Bug fixes.[30] |
9.5.1 | 20T570 | 2023-05-30 | Bug fixes.[31] |
9.5.2 | 20T571 | 2023-06-21 | Bug fixes. |
9.6 beta 4 | 20U5559c | 2023-06-27 | Bug fixes. |
References[]
- ↑ watchOS 9.5.2 (20T571), Apple Developer. 2023-06-21.
- ↑ watchOS 9.6 beta 4 (20U5559c), Apple Developer. 2023-07-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 watchOS 9 delivers new ways to stay connected, active, and healthy, Apple Inc. 2022-06-06.
- ↑ Apple events 2022: Apple’s next event is 6 June by Karen Haslam, Macworld. 2022-04-06.
- ↑ WWDC 2022 - June 6 by Apple, YouTube. 2022-06-06.
- ↑ Apple previews innovative accessibility features combining the power of hardware, software, and machine learning, Apple Inc. 2022-05-17.
- ↑ Apple announces iOS 16 door detection, live captions, and more accessibility features by William Gallagher, AppleInsider. 2022-05-17.
- ↑ Apple's fall iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 event is on September 7 by Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider. 2022-08-24.
- ↑ Leaked renders offer first look at redesigned Apple Watch Series 8 by Anam Hamid, Phone Arena. 2022-05-17.
- ↑ watchOS 9 — the new Apple Watch features we want in 2022 by Kate Kozuch, Tom's Guide. 2022-04-06.
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta (20R5287q), Apple Developer. 2022-06-06.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 2 (20R5307h), Apple Developer. 2022-06-22.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 3 (20R5316f), Apple Developer. 2022-07-06.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 4 (20R5332g), Apple Developer. 2022-07-28.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 5 (20R5343e) Apple Developer. 2022-08-08.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 6 (20R5353a), Apple Developer. 2022-08-15.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 beta 7 (20R5359a), Apple Developer. 2022-08-23.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 RC (20R361), Apple Developer. 2022-09-07.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9 (20R361), Apple Developer. 2022-09-12.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.0.1 (20R8380), Apple Developer. 2022-09-22.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.0.1 update arrives in time for Apple Watch Ultra launch by José Adorno, 9to5Mac. 2022-09-22.
- ↑ watchOS 9.0.2 (20R383), Apple Developer. 2022-10-10.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.0.2 for Apple Watch fixes microphone bugs, Spotify interruptions, more by Filipe Espósito, 9to5Mac. 2022-10-10.
- ↑ watchOS 9.1 (20S75), Apple Developer. 2022-10-24.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.2 (20S361), Apple Developer. 2022-12-13.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.3 (20S648), Apple Developer. 2023-01-23.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ Apple releases first iOS 16.3 public beta, here’s everything new by Filipe Espósito, 9To5Mac. 2022-12-15.
- ↑ watchOS 9.3.1 (20S648), Apple Developer. 2023-02-13.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.4 (20T253), Apple Developer. 2023-03-27.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.5 (20T562), Apple Developer. 2023-05-18.[DEAD LINK]
- ↑ watchOS 9.5.1 (20T570), Apple Developer. 2023-05-30.[DEAD LINK]
See also[]
- iOS 16
- iPadOS 16
- iPhone 14
- macOS Ventura (verson 13)
- tvOS 16
External links[]
- watchOS 9 at Apple
- watchOS 9 Preview (archived 2022-06-06)
- watchOS 9 at 9to5Mac
- watchOS 9 roundup at MacRumors
- watchOS 9 at Wikipedia
Apple Watch |
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Apple Watch (original) · Series 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · SE (1st) · 6 · 7 · 8 · SE (2nd) · Ultra |
Apple Watch Edition | Apple Watch Hermes | Apple Watch Nike+ | Apple Watch Sport |
Apple Watch bands and cases · faces | watchOS: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 |