Apple-Watch-Midnight-Blue-250x299Apple 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.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

MrGimper Avatar
108 months ago
New colours for watch faces. Why don't we have a sticky for new stuff in Watch OS 2?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
simbo123 Avatar
108 months ago
Lots of nice new colours on watch faces such as modular and chronograph. some look really smart
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
108 months ago
I've installed 9 GM and it wasn't picking up the Watch OS 2 GM seed. Just deleted the beta profile, rebooted, installed the profile again, rebooted, and it's now found it. I'm in the UK.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
simbo123 Avatar
108 months ago
Anyone try this yet? It still shows as beta on the site.
On the way in now, give us all a few mins :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xaqt93 Avatar
107 months ago
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.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
friarop Avatar
108 months ago
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!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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