Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 9.3 to Developers - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 9.3 to Developers

Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming watchOS 9.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming almost a month after the release of the second watchOS 9.3 beta.

watchOS 9 Feature
To install the new ‌watchOS 9.3 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.

Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.3 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 has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the ‌iPhone‌ it is paired with.

According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 9.3 adds new features, improvements and bug fixes. It specifically introduces the Unity Mosaic watch face, offered to celebrate Black History Month.

Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

watchos 26 hypertension alert

Upgrading to Apple Watch Series 12 Could Cost You Hypertension Notifications

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:57 am PDT by
Some Apple Watch users who upgrade to the Series 12 or the Ultra 4 might temporarily lose access to hypertension notifications. On the watchOS feature availability page, Apple says notifications might not be available on the Series 12 or Ultra 4 at launch because regulatory clearances are in process. Hypertension Notifications may not be available on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 in your ...
watchos 27

Apple Seeds watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 Release Candidates

Wednesday September 9, 2026 12:06 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 to developers and public beta testers. The release candidates are the final versions of the updates that will be seeded to the public as long as no final bugs are found during this last round of testing. The updates can be installed through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each...
watchos 27

Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 8 to Developers

Monday August 31, 2026 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of watchOS 27 to developers, with the update coming a week after the launch of the seventh beta. The beta can be downloaded through the Watch app on the iPhone with a free developer account. The Apple Watch will need to be on the charger, connected to Wi-Fi, and have a battery level of 50 percent or above for new software to be installed. watchOS 27...

Top Rated Comments

48 months ago

So apparently, when you delete an iMessage or text from your watch it also deletes it from your phone. I thought this was purposely excluded from syncing and not a bug. I hope this is a feature you can toddle on or off. I want to be able to delete messages from my watch storage without it effecting my phone.
That seems like a fringe case. I'd venture to guess that most users want the watch messages and phone messages to be in sync.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
48 months ago
So apparently, when you delete an iMessage or text from your watch it also deletes it from your phone. I thought this was purposely excluded from syncing and not a bug. I hope this is a feature you can toddle on or off. I want to be able to delete messages from my watch storage without it effecting my phone.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
48 months ago

So apparently, when you delete an iMessage or text from your watch it also deletes it from your phone. I thought this was purposely excluded from syncing and not a bug. I hope this is a feature you can toddle on or off. I want to be able to delete messages from my watch storage without it effecting my phone.
Definitely not me. I’ve been wanting sync for years, for my professional sanity at least.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twistedpixel8 Avatar
48 months ago
Does this fix Siri being unbelievably slow to respond? I remember getting instant responses on my S6 when I bought it but iOS 9 she now takes forever to reply, almost as if she’s crashed.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BugeyeSTI Avatar
48 months ago

Anyone else noticed their Series 5 has a lot less battery life after the latest updates?

Used to easily get thru a day. Not heavy usage. Now get the low battery warning around 7pm. ;(

I have done a power cycle and not sure if that fixed anything.
Other options? (Besides new battery up buying a new one hahaha).
I agree with @CNebs, unpair and repair your watch. It has restored performance and fixed issues for me in the past
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
48 months ago

Anyone else noticed their Series 5 has a lot less battery life after the latest updates?

Used to easily get thru a day. Not heavy usage. Now get the low battery warning around 7pm. ;(

I have done a power cycle and not sure if that fixed anything.
Other options? (Besides new battery up buying a new one hahaha).
Have you tried to unpair and then repair?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)