watchOS 10: Release date, new Apple Watch features, beta, more

watchOS 10 is Apple’s upcoming operating system for Apple Watch models. After expanding its smartwatch availability with the Apple Watch Ultra, the next generation of watchOS brings a redesign for larger displays, mental health focus, and stacks to Watch Faces.

Features

Here’s everything new coming to the Apple Watch with watchOS 10 update.

Redesigned interface, new Watch Faces, Smart Stack feature, and new Control Center button

Apple says that “virtually every app has been rethought.” With that, these apps use the entire screen to create new places for content, so you can see and do more, which is especially useful for a larger Apple Watch display. In addition, Apple added two new Watch Faces, Pallet and Snoopy.

With Smart Stack widgets, you get the information you need below any Watch Face. You just need to turn the Digital Crown to reveal widgets in the Smart Stack. It includes multiple timers, your next meeting, music playing, and more.

The Control Center is now available when pressing the side button. Pressing the Digital Crown once still opens the App Library – which has been reimagined – and pressing twice opens the cards added to your Apple Wallet.

Cycling and Hiking workouts revamp

With watchOS 9, Apple revamped Running workouts. Now, with watchOS 10, the company focused on Cycling and Hiking. Here are the highlights for each of the exercises.

Cycling

Automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled accessories to add cadence, speed, and power to your Workout View
When a power meter is detected, Apple Watch will automatically estimate your Functional Threshold Power
When starting a cycling workout from your Watch, it will automatically show up as a Live Activity on your iPhone

Hiking

See a three-dimensional view of where you’ve been using Elevation Views. Get estimates of where you last had reception with Cellular Connectivity Waypoints
Search for and discover important details of nearby trails, including name, length, time, elevation, gain, and more
Topographic maps (first available in the US) let you explore mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers in detail
Elevation alerts: get notified when you’ve passed a particular elevation threshold.

watchOS 10 expands mental health awareness

watchOS 10 lets you log your state of mind by scrolling through engaging visuals to help you select how you’re feeling at that moment and during the day overall. Apple wants you to stay consistent with notifications and complications on watch faces.

In the Health app on the iPhone, it’s also possible to see your state of mind and how it could correlate with lifestyle factors. In addition, you can still see your usage of the mindfulness app and other metrics, such as heart beating, sleep data, and more. The Medications app now gives you reminders to take your pills.

Lastly, your Apple Watch Series 6 (and later), SE 2, or newer can identify how much time you spend in daylight thanks to its ambient light sensor. The data is available in the Health app.

Custom Plans on Apple Fitness Plus

New features for Apple Fitness Plus on watchOS 10 include the ability to select your personal workout preferences, including the days, workout duration and types, trainers, and music, to create a custom plan to keep you on track.

See how custom workout plans for Apple Fitness Plus might get BGR‘s Joe Wituschek to use the service again.

More features

watchOS 10 is still packed with some more new features, such as:

Workout APIs that let developers explore some powerful motion sensors in Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 that can detect rapid changes in direction and acceleration;
Enterprise: watchOS 10 introduces the ability to implement mobile device management (MDM), configure VPNs, and deploy internal-use apps;
Offline maps: iOS 17 lets you download offline maps from Apple Maps and see them on Apple Watch.
Follow-up medication reminders: Help you stay on track with your medications;
Video message playback and audio calls: If someone leaves you a recorded video message on FaceTime, you can view it directly on your Apple Watch. And Group FaceTime audio calls are now supported;
Contacts app: Later this year, you’ll be able to share your contact information using NameDrop. Just hold your Watch near an iPhone, and your contact card will be sent.

How to install watchOS 10 beta?

As of June 5, developers can download the watchOS 10 first beta. They need to follow these steps:

On your iPhone, open the Watch app
Tap on General and Software Update
Tap on Beta Updates and enable watchOS 10 Developer Beta

Apple has confirmed that a public test version will be available later in July to all users.

watchOS 10 release date

Apple said watchOS 10 is expected to be released later this fall. Usually, it’s closer to the September event, when Apple will unveil its iPhone 15 and upcoming Watch models.

Compatible Apple Watch models

Since the processor available on Apple Watches hasn’t advanced much in the past years, the smartwatches that will receive the upcoming operating system are the same that received watchOS 9.