Apple Seeds Third WatchOS 2.2 Beta to Developers

watchos2Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 2.2 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the second watchOS 2.2 beta and two months after releasing watchOS 2.1, the first major update to the watchOS 2 operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 2.2 has been in testing since January 11.

The third watchOS 2.2 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on an iPhone running the iOS 9.3 beta by going to General --> Software update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the Apple Watch charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS 2.2, along with iOS 9.3, introduces support for pairing multiple Apple Watches with a single iPhone. Both updates are required, with each watch running watchOS 2.2 and each iPhone running iOS 9.3. watchOS 2.2 also includes a revamped look for the built-in Maps app on the Apple Watch with access to the Nearby feature first introduced with iOS 9 and new buttons for quickly accessing directions to home and work.

There are were no other obvious outward-facing changes introduced in the first two watchOS 2.2 betas aside from the changes to the Maps app, but the update undoubtedly includes under-the-hood performance updates and bug fixes to address issues that have been discovered since the release of watchOS 2.1.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Sales Coach App

Apple Launching New 'Sales Coach' App

Friday February 13, 2026 2:01 pm PST by
Apple plans to launch a rebranded "Sales Coach" app on the iPhone and iPad later this month, according to a source familiar with the matter. "Sales Coach" will arrive as an update to Apple's existing "SEED" app, and it will continue to provide sales tips and training resources to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees around the world. For example, there are articles and videos...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Three New Apple Home Products Rumored for 2026

Friday February 13, 2026 4:18 pm PST by
Apple has a long list of new products rumored for 2026, including a series of home products that will see the company establishing more of a presence in the smart home space. Robots are on the horizon for 2027, but the 2026 releases will be a little tamer. HomePod mini We're expecting a new HomePod mini 2 to launch at any time. Apple isn't going to update the device's design, but we could...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...

Top Rated Comments

131 months ago
Multiple watches on one phone? Who has multiple watches?
How about an update that supports multiple phones on a single watch? I'd love to be able to include my calendar notifications from my work iPhone on my watch too.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mainyehc Avatar
131 months ago
Hope they will add an option to keep your watch display on (dimmed) in night stand mode, really want to use it as a clock and just be able to glance at it instead of fumbling around in the night to try and touch it...
You don't really have to touch the watch per se. A gentle tap on the night stand is enough to trigger the motion sensors on the Watch, which in turn fires up the screen.

That has been my experience, and it seems to be an ingenious idea by Apple (especially with a somewhat flexible metal nightstand by IKEA and a firm dock like the NightStand by ElevationLab; since the dock is well anchored to the nightstand, the slightest touch will do the trick).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lmjabreu Avatar
131 months ago
You don't really have to touch the watch per se. A gentle tap on the night stand is enough to trigger the motion sensors on the Watch, which in turn fires up the screen.

That has been my experience, and it seems to be an ingenious idea by Apple (especially with a somewhat flexible metal nightstand by IKEA and a firm dock like the NightStand by ElevationLab; since the dock is well anchored to the nightstand, the slightest touch will do the trick).
FWIW: the motion sensor is so sensitive that you usually don't even need to touch the stand, knocking on the floor or table does the trick.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
131 months ago
Multiple watches on one phone? Who has multiple watches?
Me for a start, I have a 42mm rose gold sport and a 42mm Hermes single tour and debating on a 38mm space grey sport as well ... It's hardly inconceivable, they serve different purposes to me
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
131 months ago
How about a change so that the watch face is always on. If Huawei can do it Apple should be able to.

http://m.huawei.com/enmobile/consumer/wearables/detail/huawei-watch.htm
Enjoy your half day battery life.

I don't get why people need the watch face on when they're not looking at it. My Watch turns on without fail every time I turn my wrist or just slightly lift my arm to look at it.
[doublepost=1454979152][/doublepost]
You don't really have to touch the watch per se. A gentle tap on the night stand is enough to trigger the motion sensors on the Watch, which in turn fires up the screen.

That has been my experience, and it seems to be an ingenious idea by Apple (especially with a somewhat flexible metal nightstand by IKEA and a firm dock like the NightStand by ElevationLab; since the dock is well anchored to the nightstand, the slightest touch will do the trick).
Thats my experience as well. I just lightly tap my side table and the watch face turns on briefly. I also have an Elevation dock.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
131 months ago
How about a change so that the watch face is always on. If Huawei can do it Apple should be able to.

http://m.huawei.com/enmobile/consumer/wearables/detail/huawei-watch.htm
How about sensible suggestions? A different display would be required with poorer brightness and colours and better energy efficiency
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)