watch OS:  watchOS 7 release date, features, and Apple Watch compatibility

The next big update is here

An example of what watchOS 7 seems like (Image credit: Apple)

You can now download the watchOS 7 updates onto your Apple Watch, as Apple has fully unrolled the new smartwatch software to all or any its compatible devices (check our list below to ascertain if your device is included).

WatchOS 7 was unrolled just after the launch of the Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE, though you do not need these new smartwatches to use the software - a lot of people with older devices can make the foremost of the new OS and every one its cool features.

The surprise new watchOS 7 feature we didn't realize is that it will enable the Apple Watch to live the complete range of VO2 max, and may get notifications if it drops to a coffee level. 

There also are cool new features like sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, and a lot of new watch faces. we have got a full list of all the watchOS 7 features below that you simply can inspect while the update downloads.

WatchOS 7 is about to introduce exciting new features that will change how we use our Apple smartwatches. Here's what we've tested thus far with a touch more depth.

How to download watchOS 7 to your Apple Watch

iOS 14 release date, beta, features, and supported iPhones

iPadOS 14 release date, features and compatibility details

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Apple's next big update for Apple Watch
• When is it out? Wednesday, September 16
• How much will it cost? Nothing

watchOS 7 release date and availability

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple announced that the watchOS7 update release date as Wednesday, September 15. albeit the iPhone 12 isn't beginning in September, the software updates are the right time.

You can download the watchOS 7 updates now, but you'll to urge iOS 14 first to be ready to download it. 

Will your Apple Watch get watchOS 7?

Bucking tradition, Apple followed up announcing watchOS 7 by confirming which Apple Watches are going to be getting the new OS during a blog post. WatchOS 7 is confirmed for the Apple Watch 5, Apple Watch 4, and Apple Watch 3.

Yes, sadly, meaning the Apple Watch 2 and Apple Watch Series 1 owner are out of luck. Original Apple Watch owners omitted on last year's watchOS 6 update, and now we have got a replacement threshold for devices which will upgrade to the newest watchOS.

watchOS 7 features

(Image credit: Apple)

Streamlined complications

WatchOS 7 gets refined complications, allowing devs to enable multiple complications and watch faces. you'll create your own custom selection, for instance, a 'surf watch' with beachside conditions, to form your ideal watch face. 

WatchOS 7 also makes it easier to share your watch faces via a replacement feature, Face Sharing. once you see a watch face you wish, click the button prompt below it and therefore the face will download – and you will be prompted to download any missing complications.

(Image credit: Apple)

Sleep tracking eventually 

The Health app has finally added a long-requested sleep-tracking feature. This includes Wind Down, which allows you to make a customized routine to urge you to sleep, with options like whether to awaken via audio tones or haptic vibration for a quieter and more personal alarm. WatchOS 7 tracks roll in the hay some informed help from on-device machine learning and feed that info into the updated Health app on a paired iPhone. 

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Maps: cycling options and more

Yes, a bit like in iOS 14, watchOS 7 will include cycling directions within the Maps app. This includes elevation changes and navigation prompts with large, easy-to-read complications, which are granular enough to inform you about upcoming elevation changes or other trip disruptions. 

The app can even suggest you alter a visit yourself – as an example, advising you to dismount and walk the bike or take a group of stairs to save lots of time. you'll customize your trip, too, to avoid elevation change or to require the foremost direct route, hills are darned.

Apple Event 2020(Image credit: Apple)

Fitness Plus

Fitness Plus maybe a new service from Apple that works directly through Apple Watches (it's unclear if it'll require watchOS 7, but is being introduced alongside it). Fitness Plus is found within the Fitness app and available before the top of the year in half a dozen countries.

Fitness Plus may be a collection of workouts that you simply can watch on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV – and while you're exercising, you'll see all of your fitness data collected by your Apple Watch abreast of the screen.

New workouts come hebdomadally from a series of instructors that teach alongside a spread of workout music styles, like Hip Hop, Country, and R&B. 

(Image credit: Apple)

Workouts: dance and cooldowns

Workouts are becoming an upgrade, too, with Dance added as a complete body workout. The dance will track four of the foremost popular (and broadly-defined) dance styles: Bollywood, cardio dance, hip hop, and Latin. 

How? The Watch combines data from a pulse sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope to live exertion while moving arms and legs. That's not all: there are a couple of other new workout modes, including core training, functional strength training, and even cool-downs for winding down your exercise sessions. you'll track all this within the redesigned Activity app – which can now be called Fitness – in iOS 14.

Apple Event 2020(Image credit: Apple)

Family found out 

The family found out allows users to route several Apple Watches through one phone, letting parents found out their kids' smartwatches without having a separate iPhone. Parents also can found out movement goals and track their kids' locations.

Only cellular Apple Watch models can meet up to Family Setup, and therefore the feature only works in around a dozen countries thus far, but will likely be expanded to more regions going forward. 

(Image credit: Apple)

Handwashing

Apparently, a number of you haven't been washing your hands enough! watchOS 7 will accompany automatic handwashing detection, which uses machine learning and audio cues to live whether you wash your hands for a full 20-second timer, with fun sounds to make sure you’re washing for long enough. 

Better still, your handwashing data are going to be fed into the iPhone's Health app, which can show the frequency and duration of washing your hands. Not only is your Apple Watch + iPhone listening – the Health app also will provide information on the importance of handwashing. Those of you who haven't been, perhaps it is time to find out. 

(Image credit: Apple)

Hearing

While watchOS 6 introduced the Noise app to notify users when their surroundings were loud enough to endanger their hearing, watchOS 7 is expanding the app's functionality to notify users when they've exceeded safe levels of media listening through headphones.

That's around 80 decibels for about 40 hours per week, consistent with the planet Health Organization – exceed that, and your Apple Watch will warn you about it. The Health app on the iPhone also will track how long you have been exposed to high decibel levels over the week (that's also where users can control the utmost audio level for headphone volume). In accordance with Apple's privacy attitude, none of this audio data is saved or recorded by the Health app or your Apple Watch.

Siri on-device

With watchOS 7, Apple Watches can now use Siri to handle translation, dictation through the Apple Neural Engine, and even use the voice assistant to audibly speak messages via the Announce Messages feature.

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