watchOS 9 is now accessible for download today

In a significant move, Apple has released watchOS 9, a software update for the Apple Watch. This update brings a host of new features designed to improve user experience and health tracking.

Medications Management

The new Medications experience on Apple Watch and iPhone allows users to manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements. Users can create a medications list, set up schedules and reminders, and view information on their medications in the Health app.

International Roaming

With international roaming plans, users can stay connected to a cellular network while traveling abroad.

watchOS 9 Features

watchOS 9 introduces enhanced and modernized complications for some classic watch faces, as well as Custom Workouts that can be used to create a structured workout that includes work and recovery intervals. Users can also select an Apple Watch face to automatically appear when they start a specific Focus on iPhone.

Health and Fitness Enhancements

The update brings several health and fitness enhancements. The Workout app now uses the Digital Crown to rotate between easy-to-read Workout Views. Apple Watch now provides estimates of Cardio Recovery after an Outdoor Walk, Run, or Hike workout, even when the workout does not reach peak intensity. This metric can be tracked over time in the Health app.

Sleep tracking in watchOS 9 provides even more insights with the introduction of sleep stages. Using signals from the accelerometer, Apple Watch can estimate when users are in REM, Core, or Deep sleep, and when they are awake. Users will see sleep stage data on Apple Watch in the Sleep app and can view more detailed information, like time asleep, alongside additional metrics, like heart rate and respiratory rate, in sleep comparison charts in the Health app on iPhone.

Swimmers will appreciate the swimming enhancements, with Kickboard added as a new stroke type for Pool Swim workouts. Users can now track their efficiency with a SWOLF score.

Heart Health Improvements

First-of-its-kind AFib History is available for users diagnosed with AFib. This feature allows users to access important information, including an estimate of how frequently a user's heart rhythm shows signs of AFib, providing deeper insights into their condition. Users will receive weekly notifications to understand frequency and view a detailed history in the Health app, including lifestyle factors that may influence AFib, like sleep, alcohol consumption, and exercise.

QWERTY Keyboard Expansion

The QWERTY keyboard on Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra now has support for French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish (Mexico, Spain, Latin America).

Family Setup

Family Setup, coming later this year, will support the Home app so a child can be invited as a member to control HomePod speakers and smart home accessories. They will also be able to use home keys and hotel keys in Apple Wallet.

Accessibility Enhancements

Apple Watch Mirroring helps users control Apple Watch remotely from their paired iPhone, making it more accessible than ever for people with physical and motor disabilities. Quick Actions on Apple Watch, accessible with a double-pinch gesture, allow users with upper body limb differences to do more, including answering or ending a phone call, taking a photo, playing or pausing media, and starting, pausing, or resuming a workout.

Redesigned Compass App

A completely redesigned Compass app provides more in-depth information and new zoomable views, including a hybrid view that simultaneously shows both an analog compass dial and a digital view.

Safety Measures

The Medications feature should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment. Always consult a healthcare provider prior to making any decisions related to personal health.

Availability

watchOS 9 is available as a free software update starting today for Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later, running iOS 16. AFib History is coming to Australia later this fall. The latest updates (watchOS 26) are scheduled for mid-September 2025, around September 15.

The software update watchOS 9 was released in September 2023 globally; however, the exact sales or release date for watchOS 9 in Germany in 2025 is not specified, only mentioning the upcoming watchOS 26. Therefore, the original watchOS 9 update launch in Germany was in September 2023, around the time of the Apple Watch Series 8 launch.

Developer APIs

Developers can build best-in-class third-party apps with CallKit and share sheet support, access to Photos picker, and the ability to integrate watchOS apps with Apple TV.

Updates to Cycle Tracking

With iOS 16 and watchOS 9, Cycle Tracking users can now receive a notification if their logged cycle history shows a possible deviation, such as irregular, infrequent, or prolonged periods, and persistent spotting, which can be symptoms of underlying health conditions.

Backtrack and Low Power Mode

Backtrack uses GPS data to create a path showing where the user has been, which is useful if they get lost or disoriented and need help retracing their steps. It can also turn on automatically in the background when off the grid. Low Power Mode extends battery life, maintaining core Apple Watch features like Activity tracking and Fall Detection, while disabling or limiting select sensors and features like background heart rate monitoring and the Always-On display.

New watch Faces

New watch faces include Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy.

Note

The Medications feature should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment. Additional information is available on medication labels, but please consult a healthcare provider prior to making any decisions related to personal health.