Apple Releases watchOS 11.6

Apple today released watchOS 11.6, the sixth update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.6 comes more than two months after Apple released watchOS 11.5. The update is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.

watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1
watchOS 11.6 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

The watchOS 11.6 update focuses on bug fixes and security improvements, with no new features included. Apple's release notes are below.

This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your Apple Watch.

Apple will soon replace watchOS 11 with watchOS 26, an update that is set to come out this fall.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

Top Rated Comments

Yoda Mann Avatar
7 months ago
Dear Apple: Don't ask me if I want to install the update, then like 30 minutes later after you've downloaded and "prepared" the update, ask me again if I want to install it. I told you the first time.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
7 months ago
Installing now in hopes of better battery life on U2. It has been horrible for several months now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Daedalus65 Avatar
7 months ago
Dear Apple, Please stop turning on “Automatic Updates” every time software is installed. If I wanted automatic updates, I would turn them on. Installing should not have to be a two step process.
1) install
2) go check/turn off automatic updates (again)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
7 months ago

Installing now in hopes of better battery life on U2. It has been horrible for several months now.
This. I cannot believe how bad it has been. I've had to charge my Apple Watch Ultra 2 daily now. <sigh>

First time I've noticed my watch reporting overheating with charging too (on this last update). Hope it's better :D
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
7 months ago

That's great news. I didn't think to charge before bed. Even just sleep tracking had become a big battery waste. Hoping I have good results!
At 8:33am I was 88%.
At 1:55pm I'm sitting at 79%.

Not bad, better than last version. Looking forward to what you find out.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
7 months ago

This. I cannot believe how bad it has been. I've had to charge my Apple Watch Ultra 2 daily now. <sigh>

First time I've noticed my watch reporting overheating with charging too (on this last update). Hope it's better :D
It can't be worse ? Yeah, I went from charging like every 3rd day or so to just about daily now. I've had my watch go dead so many times lately, because I had gotten so used to it lasting several days.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)