Apple Seeds Third WatchOS 2.2 Beta to Developers - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

apple watch series 3 design

Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch

Sunday November 1, 2026 3:34 am PST by
Apple has published a support document describing what to do if your Apple Watch continues to show time that's off by one hour after daylight savings time changes. "This incorrect time appears only on the Always On display when your wrist is down," says Apple. "When you activate the display by tapping it or raising your wrist, the time changes to the correct hour." To fix the issue, Apple says ...
muse apple watch app

Meta's Muse AI Agent Comes to Apple Watch

Monday November 9, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Meta today updated the Muse app for iOS to add Apple Watch support, which means Muse users can access the proactive AI agent from the watch. The app adds the Muse character to the watch with an option to text it, dictate text to it, or call it. There's also a Muse complication for quick access. Muse is Meta's personal AI agent that can complete tasks for users. It is available as a...
siri recap live rewind

watchOS 27.3 Brings Live Rewind and Siri Recap to Apple Watch

Tuesday November 3, 2026 10:35 am PST by
With the first beta of watchOS 27.3, Apple is introducing new Audio Intelligence features it previewed for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 earlier this year. Powered by the S11 chip, Audio Intelligence includes Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and Shazam Music Recognition. Sound Recognition and Shazam are already on the watch, but Live Rewind and Siri Recap are now available ...

Top Rated Comments

141 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)
lmjabreu Avatar
141 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)
Mainyehc Avatar
141 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)
ipedro Avatar
140 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)
141 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)
140 months ago
I understood that, what I meant was, will a watch with beta 2.2 on it pair with an iphone with ios 9.2.1?
No.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Launches Two Products Today
Apple Launches Two Products Today
41 minutes ago
Hands-On With the New Apple TV 4K and Siri AI
Hands-On With the New Apple TV 4K and Siri AI
11 hours ago
Siri AI Coming to Older Apple TV 4K Models in tvOS 27.2.1
Siri AI Coming to Older Apple TV 4K Models in tvOS 27.2.1
11 hours ago
HomeView Launch Kicks Off as First Orders Reach Customers
HomeView Launch Kicks Off as First Orders Reach Customers
12 hours ago
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
15 hours ago
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
16 hours ago
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
16 hours ago
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
19 hours ago
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
19 hours ago
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
19 hours ago
Apple Releases Emotional 2026 Holiday Ad Featuring MacBook Neo
Apple Releases Emotional 2026 Holiday Ad Featuring MacBook Neo
19 hours ago
Apple's Official iPhone 18 Pro Cases and Watch Bands Get Big Discounts on Amazon
Apple's Official iPhone 18 Pro Cases and Watch Bands Get Big Discounts on Amazon
20 hours ago
Nintendo to End 'Sign in With Apple' Support in January
Nintendo to End 'Sign in With Apple' Support in January
20 hours ago
Walmart Black Friday Sale Begins With Early Deals on TVs, Laptops, and More
Walmart Black Friday Sale Begins With Early Deals on TVs, Laptops, and More
20 hours ago
Apple Says HomeView Software Update Coming Next Month With Siri Fix
Apple Says HomeView Software Update Coming Next Month With Siri Fix
21 hours ago
Review: Is Apple's All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299?
Review: Is Apple's All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299?
21 hours ago
Apple Home Collection: Select Accessories Available to Order This Friday
Apple Home Collection: Select Accessories Available to Order This Friday
21 hours ago
'Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble' to Leave App Store This Month
'Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble' to Leave App Store This Month
22 hours ago
Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
23 hours ago
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
1 day ago
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
2 days ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
2 days ago
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
2 days ago
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
2 days ago
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
2 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
2 days ago
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
2 days ago
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
2 days ago
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
2 days ago