Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of watchOS 2 to developers, which is the version of watchOS 2 that will be released to the public on September 16 alongside iOS 9.
watchOS 2 requires iOS 9 and can be downloaded over-the-air through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update.
Today's golden master release follows five developer betas of watchOS 2, which were seeded to developers from June 8 to August 6, when the fifth and final beta was released.
watchOS 2 is the first major update to watchOS, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 2 introduces several new features developers can use to improve their apps, including more efficient native apps that run on the watch itself instead of the iPhone. The new software also allows developers to access the Taptic Engine and sensors like the heart rate monitor, microphone, and accelerometer.
Thanks to the new tools for developers, Apple Watch apps will be more complex, full-featured, and faster. Other features in watchOS 2 include photo and time-lapse watch faces, third-party Complications, a longer screen activation time, Time Travel, and a Nightstand mode that's activated when the Apple Watch is charging.
Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit.
Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by Juli Clover
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it.
Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...
Tuesday October 6, 2026 6:09 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's $634 million patent loss to medical technology company Masimo has just gotten even bigger, after a federal judge ordered Apple to pay an additional $184 million in interest on what it owes (via Bloomberg Law).
The ruling takes Apple's bill to around $818 million, but that doesn't include any post-judgment interest continuing to accrue until the judgment is paid.
Judge James Selna ...
My battery life is AWFUL!! THis is back to WatchOS2 beta 1. The last beta I had battery life better than ever nearly 19 hours. Installed GM - won't last 5 hours. So disappointing!
I don't know if you have tried this or not, but if you set up the watch like new and not from a back up, it fixes the problem.
If you're experiencing battery issues unpair the watch and set it up as a new device. A lot of people on Reddit had the same issues, that fixes it. Also keep in mind that for several hours after the update it's likely restoring/updating things in the background and eating more battery than it normally will.
I updated last night and my battery life is normal today.
For anyone running the WatchOS 2 GM, is it buggy? I've held off on updating my watch because I heard it was crashing in the middle of workouts.......
It´s not good. A lot worse than last version. Buggy and battery life is 1/3 of what it was before. Just don´t understand how they can release this crap?? Native apps? Don´t think so.
I must be doing something wrong. I never installed a Watch OS2 beta. Have installed iOS 9 GM. Have the UDID's of both the iPhone and the watch registered to my developer account. Update says 1.0.1 is latest version. Any thoughts? UPDATE: NEVERMIND GOT IT!
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.