Apple Seeds watchOS 9.1 Release Candidate to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of watchOS 9.1 update to developers ahead of an expected public release on Monday, October 24 alongside iOS 16.1. The new beta comes one week after Apple released the fifth watchOS 9.1 beta.

watchOS 9 Feature
To install ‌watchOS 9.1, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.1‌ can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌.

Apple's release notes for the update are as follows:

This update includes improvements for your
Apple Watch.

- Battery life extended during Outdoor Walking, Running, and Hiking Workouts with the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and Apple Watch Ultra
- Music can download while Apple Watch is off charger using Wi-Fi or cellular
- Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is supported enabling a wide variety of smart home accessories to work together across ecosystems

This update also includes bug fixes for your Apple Watch.

Related Roundups: watchOS 11, watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

dadiy Avatar
38 months ago
Why would the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings be limited to Apple Watch Series 8 etc. I’m sure the watch 6 &7 people would benefit from this more.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ediks Avatar
38 months ago

GPS probably because the fact that the new watches (8 / Ultra / SE) only use their own gps chip instead of the iPhone gps chip.
the older watches also use their own gps when the iphone is not nearby... + series 8 is literally series 7 with a new name
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
38 months ago

Why would the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings be limited to Apple Watch Series 8 etc. I’m sure the watch 6 &7 people would benefit from this more.
Because Apple wants the "6 & 7 people" to buy a new watch.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
t0rqx Avatar
38 months ago

Why would the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings be limited to Apple Watch Series 8 etc. I’m sure the watch 6 &7 people would benefit from this more.
Probably because the Series 8 is the only capable doing this with the stunning new gen S8 chip. /s

They have done this with all of their products lately (Stage Manager). But with the other products it takes new chips to increase performance/features. Apparently decreasing features/performance ALSO takes new gen chips.

This money sucking strategy is off the f charts.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MaxSto Avatar
38 months ago

Apple Watch 6 has its own gps.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP826?locale=en_GB
Yes, like every other Apple Watch.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dadiy Avatar
38 months ago

GPS probably because the fact that the new watches (8 / Ultra / SE) only use their own gps chip instead of the iPhone gps chip.
Apple Watch 6 has its own gps.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP826?locale=en_GB
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)