Apple previewed WatchOS 11, with features for Apple Watch that build on its sensor technology, algorithms, and science-based approach for insights into users’ health and fitness and greater personalization.
“WatchOS is the world’s most advanced wearable operating system, supporting Apple Watch users throughout their day to stay healthy, active, and connected,” said David Clark, Apple’s senior director of watchOS Engineering. “This fall, watchOS 11 makes Apple Watch an even more essential companion by offering users additional actionable insights into their health and fitness, more personalization to fit their unique needs, and new ways to stay connected while on the go.”
The Vitals App Surfaces Greater Insights into Key Health Metrics
Apple Watch allows users to measure important health metrics during sleep: heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen. Apple’s health features are grounded in science and developed with input from clinical experts.
Additional Support During Pregnancy
WatchOS 11, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18 offer additional support for pregnant women to reflect changes in their physical and mental health. When users log a pregnancy using the Health app on an iPhone or iPad, the Cycle Tracking app on an Apple Watch will show their gestational age and allow them to log symptoms for things frequently experienced during pregnancy. Women will also be prompted to review things like their high heart rate notification threshold since heart rate tends to increase during pregnancy. In the Health app on iPhone or iPad, pregnant users can also choose to be reminded to take a mental health assessment every month, as depression during and after pregnancy can increase. Walking Steadiness, measured by iPhone, can also alert users more quickly of potential fall risk during the third trimester of pregnancy since the risk often increases during that stage.
Apple Fitness+ has been redesigned in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and tvOS 18 to help users make the most of its library, stay motivated, and keep consistent with their fitness routine. Updates include a personalized For You space, Explore and Library spaces, search features, and enhanced awards.
Additionally, the double tap gesture can now be used to scroll through any app — like Messages, Calendar, or Weather — making it even easier to interact with Apple Watch with one hand.
Additional updates in watchOS 11 include New Understanding of users Training Load, Customizable Activity Rings and Fitness App, Smart Stack and Photo Face Personalization, Workout App check-in feature, Translate app, Workout app, Custom Workouts, Apple Maps, Summarized notifications, Enhanced ticketing, Tap to Cash, New Tools for Developers, enhanced Privacy and Apple Developer Program for members.
Image courtesy Apple
