 | |
 A customized watch face on watchOS 6 | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Written in | |
| OS family | |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Closed, with open-source components |
| Initial release | April 24, 2015 |
| Latest release | 11.1[1] (October 28, 2024) [±] |
| Latest preview | 11.2 beta 3[2] (November 20, 2024) [±] |
| Marketing target | Smartwatch |
| Available in | 45 languages[3][4] |
| Update method | OTA (via iPhone 5+ running iOS 8.2+) |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
| Default user interface | Cocoa Touch (GUI) |
| License | Proprietary software except for open-source components |
| Official website | apple.com/watchos |
watchOS is the operating system of the Apple Watch, developed by Apple Inc. It is based on iOS, the operating system used by the iPhone, and has many similar features.[5] It was released on April 24, 2015, along with the Apple Watch, the only device that runs watchOS. watchOS exposes an API called WatchKit for developer use.
The second version, watchOS 2, included support for native third-party apps and other improvements, and was released on September 21, 2015.[6][7][8] The third version, watchOS 3, was released on September 13, 2016, to emphasize better performance and include new watch faces and stock apps. The fourth version, watchOS 4, was released on September 19, 2017. The fifth version, watchOS 5, was released on September 17, 2018,[9] to add more third-party support and new workouts, along with the "Walkie-Talkie" feature.[10] The sixth version, watchOS 6, was released on September 19, 2019.[11] The seventh version, watchOS 7, was released on September 16, 2020, to support handwashing and sleep tracking.[12][13] The eighth version, watchOS 8, was released on September 20, 2021, with updates in health monitoring, visuals, and apps.[14] The ninth version, watchOS 9, was released on September 12, 2022. The tenth version, watchOS 10, was released on September 18, 2023. The 11th version, watchOS 11, was released on September 16, 2024.
- ^ Clover, Juli (October 28, 2024). "Apple Releases watchOS 11.1". MacRumors. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Clover, Juli (November 20, 2024). "Apple Releases Fourth Betas of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration [Update: Public Betas Available]". MacRumors. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "How to change the language on an Apple Watch, and make it differ from the language on your paired iPhone". Business Insider. October 8, 2019. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
Your Apple Watch is designed to "mirror" the language used on your iPhone, so by default it'll use whichever language is set on that device, but you can make the two devices differ.
- ^ "Apple – iPhone XS – Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
- ^ "Apple Watch runs 'most' of iOS 8.2, may use A5-equivalent processor". AppleInsider. April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Apple announces watchOS 2 with third-party Apple Watch apps, new Timepieces, video playback, much more". 9to5Mac. June 8, 2015. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ "watchOS 2 final version released for Apple Watch users". September 21, 2015. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ "Apple's watch OS 2 is now live following bug delay". CNET. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ^ Juli Clover (September 17, 2018). "Apple Launches watchOS 5 With Walkie-Talkie, Apple Podcasts, Siri Shortcuts, New Watch Faces, Raise to Speak and More". MacRumors. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ "watchOS 5 adds powerful activity and communications features to Apple Watch". Apple Newsroom (Press release). Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Juli Clover (September 19, 2019). "Apple Releases watchOS 6 With Dedicated App Store, New Watch Faces, Noise Monitoring App and More". MacRumors. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "watchOS 7 adds significant personalization, health, and fitness features to Apple Watch" (Press release). Apple Inc. June 22, 2020. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ Orellana, Vanessa Hand (July 21, 2020). "10 new tricks WatchOS 7 will soon bring to your Apple Watch". CNET. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ Summerbell, D. "Apple will introduce new health features and a focus mode to WatchOS 8". WavBand Tech. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.