Following today's iPhone-centric event, Apple has seeded the golden master (GM version) of watchOS 3 to developers. The golden master version of watchOS 3 is the version of the software that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 13.

The software update can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on an iPhone by going to General --> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery, it must be on the Apple Watch charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. watchOS 3 also requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install.


watchOS 3 introduces significant changes to the watchOS operating system. A new dock, accessible by pressing the side button, replaces Glances and houses 10 favorite first and third-party apps. Apps in the dock are kept continually up to date and are stored in memory for a new instant launch ability.

New Activity Sharing options allow Apple Watch owners to share workout and activity information with friends, and there are new fitness features for Wheelchair users. A Breathe app guides users through daily deep breathing sessions, an Apple Watch can unlock a Mac, and Apple has added apps for Reminders, Find My Friends, and accessing one's heartbeat.

Additional watch faces support complications, there are three new watch faces to choose from, including a new Activity watch face, and an SOS feature will make sure an option to get help in an emergency is always right at your fingertips. On the iPhone, there's a new Face Gallery for customizing Apple Watch faces, and watchOS 3 allows the Apple Watch to be located via Find My iPhone for the first time.

For complete details on the new features coming in watchOS 3, make sure to check out our watchOS 3 roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 8
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

adnbek Avatar
88 months ago
I have the beta profile installed and the update doesn't show. Still says 2.2.2 latest version. Already updated my phone to iOS 10. Anyone else not seeing the update?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chundles Avatar
88 months ago
Oh boy this is much better! The dock and scribble just made my watch so much more useful. The speed of apps launching from the dock is pretty damned close to what we saw in the stage demo, even with the one 3rd party app I use regularly.

Scribble is great! Fast, you can just keep scribbling, double-tapping the space does the same thing as it does on the iPhone, you can use the digital crown to flick through words once it gets an idea of what you're trying to type. No longer need to get my phone out to answer messages on the train = the best!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ocedeno Avatar
88 months ago
I have the beta profile installed and the update doesn't show. Still says 2.2.2 latest version. Already updated my phone to iOS 10. Anyone else not seeing the update?
Same Here. Not sure what is going on.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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