Apple Officially Releases watchOS 6 with 5+ Fantastic New Features

Apple on Thursday officially released its new watchOS 6 update to all compatible watches. At launch, it’ll be available for Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 4 models. Compatibility for Series 1 and 2 will come at a later date. And you probably should download it, too. watchOS 6 is packed with new features, from health tools and tracking to cool new watch faces. Continue reading to learn about the biggest new features and improvements.
New Watch Faces & Complications
As with every other watchOS update before it, watchOS 6 introduces a number of new watch faces and complication options. In the latter category, there’s new rain probability, decibel level and cell strength indicators. There’s also a new Taptic Chimes feature that can silently tap you at the start of every hour (or play an audible chime if sound is enabled).
The new faces include new bold Numerals Mono and Duo options, a Modular Compact face, a Gradient face that subtly changes through the day, a Solar Dial face with a sun that travels around the watch dial, and a California watch face that mixes numbers and Roman numerals.
New Health Features
Health and wellness is one of the primary goals of the Apple Watch platform, and watchOS 6 further cements that focus. For example, there’s now a new first-party Cycle Tracking app for keeping tabs on women’s reproductive health and menstrual cycles. An Activity Trends feature will allow you deeper insights into your everyday movement.
In addition, your Apple Watch will also now monitor your ambient environment for dangerous noise levels and alert you to that fact. The new aptly named Noise app can also let you know how loud the environment around you is. The goal is to protect your hearing health over the long term.
Dedicated App Store
One of the marquee features of watchOS 6 is a fully independent App Store. That means you can now download and install apps on your Apple Watch without using your iPhone. It’s a big step toward Apple Watch autonomy.
It’s a big change for apps and developers, too. Developers can now submit fully independent watchOS apps that don’t require an iOS element. There are also a slew of new developer APIs that should unlock even more features in your favorite apps.
iOS-Style Apps & Autonomous Updates
Apple has also introduced several iOS-style apps to the watchOS 6 platform. That includes a new Audiobooks app and Voice Memos. And yes, there’s now finally a Calculator in watchOS. Similarly, you can now remove any native or built-in app — something that wasn’t possible before.
Speaking of native capabilities, watchOS 6 also now allows users to update their Apple Watch independently of an iPhone. Users will now be able to install the latest watchOS update by going to Settings > General > Software Update directly on their Apple Watch.
Smaller Improvements
watchOS 6 also includes a number of other smaller improvements. For Mac users, your Apple Watch can now be used to approve certain security prompts — which you can allow by tapping on the watch’s Side Button. You can also now display Apple ID 2FA codes right on your watch.
Siri also has some new features, including the ability to display full webpage results right on your wrist. The virtual assistant can also look up song lyrics using Apple-owned Shazam platform, even if you don’t have your iPhone with you.
How to download watchOS 6
watchOS 6 is now available as a free update through the dedicated Watch app on your iPhone.
To download it, just open the Watch app and head to General > Software Update. Your Watch will need to have at least 50 percent battery, placed on a charger, and kept in range of the iPhone during the update process.