There are only a few more weeks left to go until watchOS 10, the upcoming software update for the Apple Watch, starts rolling out to users worldwide. Although it isn't publicly available just yet, Apple gave us a preview of what's to come with watchOS 10 at WWDC in June 2023 and in betas. watchOS 10 looks to be one of the biggest software updates to the Apple Watch in years, marked by new buttons and gestures. They're designed to implement Smart Stack, which is a new way to view information at a glance on your smartwatch. Here's everything you need to know about watchOS 10, including new features, release dates, and compatible devices.
When will watchOS 10 be released?
Apple announced watchOS 10 alongside iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, and macOS Sonoma at WWDC on June 5, 2023. Developer betas of watchOS 10 are available now, and Apple opened up the public beta program in July. The full watchOS 10 release is slated for this fall, and it usually comes in late September.
What's new in watchOS 10?
The biggest change to watchOS 10 is Smart Stack, which gives Apple Watch users a new way to interact with their smartwatch. But there are a ton of other feature additions, too, especially when it comes to health and fitness. Here's a list of all the key changes:
Smart Stack is a new way to navigate your watch
Complications have been on the Apple Watch for some time, giving users the ability to see key information at a glance. That's taken to the next level with Smart Stack in watchOS 10. Similar to a feature by the same name in iOS, a Smart Stack is a group of widgets that appears on your watch face and cycles automatically. For example, the Weather widget might show you the daily forecast in the morning, or the Wallet widget might show your boarding pass when you're traveling.
Like Smart Stack on your iPhone, you can adjust the order of the widgets in watchOS 10. You can turn the Digital Crown to cycle through it in real time. Since this feature can essentially replace complications, it works best on full-screen watch faces, like the Photo watch face.
Finally, a full-screen app experience
Apple keeps making the Apple Watch display bigger, but watchOS hasn't made the best use of the newfound space. But a slew of apps have been redesigned in watchOS 10 to make the most of big-screen Apple Watches, including the Music app. Apple confirmed that the Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, and World Clock apps will have a new full-screen experience as well, with more to come.
New watch faces coming to watchOS 10
With every watchOS update comes new watch faces, and watchOS 10 will get a few new ones. There's a Pallette face that shifts between colors as the time changes, along with a Peanuts watch face that features Snoopy and Woodstock. Unfortunately, there is still no official way to get third-party watch faces on the Apple Watch, and that isn't changing with watchOS 10.
Workout Views on Apple Watch and iPhone
Apple brought Workout Views to the Apple Watch last year, and they're now coming to the iPhone. When you start a workout on your Apple Watch in watchOS 10, it can appear on your iPhone as a Live Activity. When tapped, that Live Activity becomes full screen, and it shows your Workout Views. This is great for activities like cycling, where you can mount your iPhone to a handlebar instead of trying to glance at your Apple Watch.
Waypoints get better on watchOS 10, and it could save your life
Apple introduced Waypoints with watchOS 9, and your Apple Watch will automatically record two new ones with watchOS 10: a Last Cellular Connection Waypoint and a Last Emergency Call Waypoint. The Last Cellular Connection Waypoint records the last location where your Apple Watch was able to connect to cellular data, and the waypoint can help you get back to that spot. Similarly, the Last Emergency Call Waypoint records the last point where your Apple Watch was able to connect to any cellular network. By recording this point, your Apple Watch can help you find a location where you can make an emergency call.
Other features coming to watchOS 10
Aside from the above features, there are other new changes coming to watchOS 10, and here is the full list:
- You will be able to access the Control Center by pressing the side button.
- Apple Watches can connect to more Bluetooth-enabled health accessories.
- Apple Maps can now display a topographical map in the United States.
- The Mindfulness app lets users log their thoughts and states of mind on their wrist.
- Apple Watches can use their ambient light sensor to track the amount of time spent outdoors.
- NameDrop, a contact-sharing feature coming to iOS 17, is also coming to Apple Watch.
- Group FaceTime audio is coming to the Apple Watch.
Can my Apple Watch run watchOS 10?
Though Apple is known for its robust software support, not all Apple Watches can upgrade to watchOS 10. Upgrading to watchOS 10 requires an Apple Watch to be paired to an iPhone XS, XR, or newer that is running iOS 17. The watch itself must be an Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch SE, or newer. We also expect the rumored Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to ship with watchOS 10 pre-installed. Here's the full list of compatible models:
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
Luckily, all the Apple Watches that support watchOS 9 can also run watchOS 10. However, it should be noted that not every watchOS 10 feature will be available on each device. Some are exclusive to newer models, like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.
How can I install watchOS 10?
Since watchOS 10 won't be publicly available until the fall, only users registered in the Apple Developer Program or the Apple Beta Software Program can install the update now. People interested in running the developer beta can follow our guide to installing the watchOS 10 beta. There's also a more stable public beta available through the Apple Beta Software Program. We expect the full watchOS 10 release to debut sometime before the end of September following Apple's fall event.