Apple Releases watchOS 3 With App Dock, Instant Launching, New Watch Faces, Breathe, and More

Apple today released watchOS 3, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 3 is a significant update to the watchOS operating system, introducing an overhauled interface, new apps, new watch faces, and impressive performance improvements.

watchOS 3 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. watchOS 3 is available for all Apple Watch models, but requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install, which was also released today.

WatchOS3_trio
watchOS 3 features a new dock that houses your favorite and recently used apps so they're quicker to access. Up to 10 apps saved to the dock are kept up to date at all times and are able to launch instantly, cutting down on app loading times.

Navigation is improved in watchOS 3, with left and right swipes able to change the watch face. Upward swipes bring up the Control Center, while a downward swipe opens the Notification Center. Pressing the side button brings up the new dock.


There are new Activity sharing features in watchOS 3, along with workouts and activities for wheelchair users. A new "Breathe" app guides you through daily deep breathing sessions to cut down on stress, and there are new Reminders, Find My Friends, and Heart Rate apps.

Three new watch faces are available, an SOS feature can automatically call emergency services, and an Apple Watch can be used to unlock a password protected Mac with new Continuity functionality. A revamped Messages app makes it easier to reply to incoming texts, plus there's a new "Scribble" feature for writing replies on the Apple Watch face with a finger.

For more details on what's new in watchOS 3, make sure to check out our full watchOS 3 roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Magsafe

iPhone 17 Pro's New MagSafe Design Revealed in Leaked Photo

Wednesday July 2, 2025 8:37 am PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to have a slightly different MagSafe magnet layout compared to existing iPhone models, and a leaked photo has offered a closer look at the supposed new design. The leaker Majin Bu today shared a photo of alleged MagSafe magnet arrays for third-party iPhone 17 Pro cases. On existing iPhone models with MagSafe, the magnets form a...

Top Rated Comments

mdelvecchio Avatar
115 months ago
Why does one have to update to iOS 10 to get WatchOS 3?

From what I've heard iOS 10 slows down the iPhone 6. So I'm basically stuck with WatchOS 2...

Well done Apple.

I very much regret having bought this overpriced, slow piece of rubbish.
what childish nonsense. iOS 10 is fine on a 6. not updating on a 6 because you're afraid of a slowdown is insane....you'll be missing out on actual value you could have now, today.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
115 months ago
I like this update. I hardly ever used that side button for contacts. This app drawer concept makes a lot more sense. It seems to work well, but some existing third party apps need to be updated to support it, I think?

WARNING: If you work a lot with your Apple Watch on, especially if you wear gloves, turn off the 911 S.O.S. feature, or at least set it to swipe to confirm you want to call. I changed mine right away because I was worried about accidentally setting it off (especially since I have a toddler), and when I was framing a wall the other night wearing my leather work gloves, it set off the S.O.S. 6-7 times from accidental "holding" of the side button. Like I said, I was lucky I had turned on the "swipe to confirm" functionality or the police would have made an unpleasant visit.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
115 months ago
Why does one have to update to iOS 10 to get WatchOS 3?

iOS 10 would slow down my iPhone 6. So I'm basically stuck with WatchOS 2...

Well done Apple.

I very much regret having bought this overpriced, slow piece of rubbish.
It's dependent on the watch.app for the iPhone, so they need to be updated together.

iOS 10 won't slow down your iP6.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dana W Avatar
115 months ago
Why does one have to update to iOS 10 to get WatchOS 3?

From what I've heard iOS 10 slows down the iPhone 6. So I'm basically stuck with WatchOS 2...

Well done Apple.

I very much regret having bought this overpriced, slow piece of rubbish.
Not slowing my 6 down at all. (Unnecessary Snark Deleted)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrazyDaveinNeb Avatar
115 months ago
apparently I still had the beta profile on watch. removed and rebooted the watch and got the download
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrjoedot Avatar
115 months ago
Here we go

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)