All Apple Watch Apps Must Be Native Apps Starting on June 1

Apple today informed developers that starting on June 1, 2016, all watchOS apps submitted to the App Store must be native apps built with the watchOS 2 SDK or later.

When the Apple Watch first launched, watchOS apps were reliant on the iPhone to run on the Apple Watch, but with watchOS 2, Apple introduced support for native apps. With native app support, developers can build apps that are able to run on the Apple Watch, allowing apps to open more quickly and work more smoothly.

Apple's June 1 deadline for native apps hits two weeks before the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, where it is expected to show off new versions of iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS.

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Top Rated Comments

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Aluminum213

47 months ago

THANK YOU

This will help with the fact that 99% of watch apps are slow junk

Rating: 29 Votes

OneMike

47 months ago

But native apps are still slow...

Rating: 21 Votes

MMan5797

47 months ago

I wonder if this is in preparation for a next Gen Apple Watch that is less iPhone reliant to be revealed at WWDC?

Rating: 18 Votes

DFierce

47 months ago

Thank god. Slow apps make a really poor experience on the watch.

Rating: 12 Votes

Sirious

47 months ago

This is good news. I can't count how many times I've given up on an app due to its long load times and completed the task on my iPhone instead.

Rating: 8 Votes

Pakaku

47 months ago

So even Apple admits the iPhone crutch was a really stupid idea?

Rating: 7 Votes

BvizioN

47 months ago

If I could use it as a phone I would buy an Apple Watch tomorrow. It's pain having to carry an iPhone everywhere I go.

The only time when I don't want to have my phone on me is when am running or swimming. Which makes less then 5% of my time. I feel that these should be 2 totally different devices and not replace each other.

Rating: 7 Votes

PlutoPrime

47 months ago

About time! I'm tired of staring at the spinner loading an app, standing like an early adopting foo staring at my wrist!

Rating: 6 Votes

robjulo

47 months ago

Is Apple going to fix their own native apps, so it doesn't take 10 seconds for the fitness app to open?

Rating: 6 Votes