Apple has released watchOS 11 for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, packed with new features designed to enhance health tracking and fitness insights. The update includes sleep apnea notifications, personalized fitness metrics like Training Load, and more ways to stay connected with your environment and body.
The new operating system is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2, and requires iPhone XS or later running iOS 18. Users can install the update by navigating to Watch > General > Software Update on their devices.
Among the critical updates is a new sleep apnea detection feature, monitored through a metric called Breathing Disturbances. The Health app will notify users if their breathing is disrupted at night, classifying the disruptions as elevated or not elevated. Another new addition is the Vitals app, which tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature metrics. Suppose any of these health metrics stray from normal levels. In that case, users receive notifications about how specific changes, such as alcohol consumption or environmental factors, might be contributing.
watchOS 11 also updates the activity rings, allowing users to customize them based on personal goals or schedules. The rings can be paused for a day or longer if needed. The new Training Load feature measures how workout intensity affects the body over time, with an effort rating provided after each workout on a scale of 1 to 10. Additionally, the Translate app now integrates machine learning for automatic speech recognition, helping users when travelling abroad.