Apple Releases watchOS 11.6 - MacRumors
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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 Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

Daedalus65 Avatar
15 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)
Yoda Mann Avatar
15 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)
15 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)
jz0309 Avatar
15 months ago



Yeah notice how it started out nice, then after this morning started its usual drain. Was a lot more flat lined under 2 updates ago. :/
You really got to give it a week of regular use, then reboot watch annd phone and after that see how battery life is.
I updated my U2 on Tue and I can't tell either way but "seems" slightly better
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 months ago

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.
I charged yesterday evening, but forgot to check what % I was at before bed. However, when I got up this morning I was at 87%. A few hours later and I'm at 85%. I think this update might have finally fixed my battery drain.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Momof2.1107 Avatar
15 months ago
I lost 4% with sleep tracking so I guess that’s okay. I’ll more than likely lose the normal amount with tracking my exercise today for the 3.5-4 hours with heart rate and gps tracking. I should be down to 60-50% battery life by the end of my work day.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)