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.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9.
While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models.
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The Apple Watch Series 12 is almost certain to be introduced at Apple's annual iPhone event next month, and the rumors point to another quieter upgrade year for the device.
Apple has not altered the Apple Watch's design since the Series 10 arrived in 2024, and it is not expected to change this year either, making 2026 the third year of the current case. This isn't unusual since every Apple...
Wednesday September 2, 2026 10:25 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today shared a short video featuring an Apple Watch user named Amanda who says her device saved her life.
In 2024, Amanda began receiving alerts about an abnormal heart rate. Her watch alerted her about changes to her resting heart rate and her overnight vitals, prompting her to visit her doctor.
She ended up being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer. After...
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 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.
