Learn about the features of WatchOS 11 and the devices that support the new update
Apple unveiled its new watchOS 11 system at its conference , which brings advanced features to Apple Watch . This system relies on modern sensor technology and advanced algorithms, taking advantage of a scientific approach to provide amazing information about users’ health and fitness, providing them with greater customization options than ever before.
The new system includes a Vital Signs app that displays key health metrics and puts them into context to help users make daily decisions to maintain their health, and the system also provides a training load measurement feature for athletes, providing a game-changing experience in exercise to improve fitness and performance.
Activity rings now feature more customization options than before, and take advantage of Smart Pack and the Photo interface that uses artificial intelligence to deliver more personalized experiences. Additionally, Apple Watch and the Health app on iPhone and iPad provide additional support for users during pregnancy. Other improvements include the Check-In feature, the Translate app, and new capabilities for the double-tap gesture, providing even more connection and convenience.
In this context, David Clark, Senior Director of Engineering for watchOS 11 at Apple , said :
“watchOS 11 is the world’s most advanced wearable operating system, empowering Apple Watch users to stay healthy, active, and connected throughout their day. With the launch of watchOS 11 this fall, Apple Watch becomes even more relevant with additional actionable health and fitness information, more customization options to meet individual needs, and new ways to stay connected on the go.”
Key Health Metrics App Revealed in watchOS 11
Apple Watch lets users monitor key health metrics while they sleep, such as heart rate, respiration rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. With watchOS 11, the new Vital Signs app provides an easy way to quickly and easily track these metrics, providing even more insight into their health. Apple Watch analyzes this data to provide a comprehensive view of their daily health, with alerts when certain metrics go out of range, showing how they may be related to lifestyle changes like altitude, alcohol consumption, or illness.
The Vital Signs app appears on Apple Watch Series 9, displaying users' regular and out-of-the-ordinary vital data throughout the night, and prompting them to review it when necessary. The app gives users the ability to quickly monitor their health metrics and receive notifications when abnormal changes occur.
Apple Health features are science-based and developed in collaboration with medical experts. The Vital Signs app is based on an algorithm built on real data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, which aims to advance understanding of heart health and physical activity, and improve classifications and notifications when abnormal measurements are found.
In terms of additional support for pregnant users, watchOS 11, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18 provide new features that reflect physical and mental health changes during this important stage. When logging your pregnancy in the Health app on iPhone or iPad, the app will show information about your gestational age and allow you to record recurring symptoms. Pregnant users can also receive a reminder to assess their mental health monthly, as pregnancy is a time when the risk of depression is increased. Measuring gait stability with iPhone provides alerts about potential fall risk during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Add training load feature
watchOS 11 introduces Training Load, an innovative and useful way to measure the impact of exercise intensity and duration on a user’s body over time. This feature helps users understand the stress of exercise on their body over the past seven days compared to the last 28 days, enabling them to make informed decisions about their daily training, whether they’re preparing for a 5K, bike race, or even a marathon.
The Training Load feature on Apple Watch Ultra shows how the intensity and duration of a workout affect a user’s body over time, based on exertion ratings after each workout. Intensity is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 after each workout. Common types of cardio workouts use an innovative algorithm based on important data such as age, height, weight, workout data, and heart rate. Users can manually adjust this estimate to take into account other factors such as stress or pain. For workouts that do not have an automatic rating, an exertion rating can be entered manually at the end of the workout.
Apple Watch determines a user’s training load over 28 days, using an average that takes into account both effort ratings and workout durations. In the Activity app, users can compare their training load for the last seven days with that of the previous 28 days, which are categorized as lower or higher in physical effort. These categorizations help users see whether the current stress on their body is increasing, stable, or decreasing, which helps them adjust their workouts to achieve the best results. The Fitness app on iPhone includes additional information that shows the potential impact of continuing to train at the same level, such as changes in fitness or risk of injury.
A user's daily health status is linked to their ability to exercise, so training load is displayed alongside vital signs app information in the Activity app on Apple Watch or the Fitness app on iPhone. Users can also view training load within the vital signs app.
With Apple Watch Ultra, users can clearly see their training load rating whether it is significantly lower, stable, or significantly higher, this feature enables them to monitor and adjust their training efforts to ensure they achieve the best results in a safe and effective way.
Fitness app just got more customizable
The Activity rings on Apple Watch motivate users every day to sit less, move more, and exercise regularly. With watchOS 11 , these rings are even more personalized to fit your needs, whether you’re planning a day off between workouts, experiencing an injury, or just needing a break. You can now pause your Activity rings for a day, a week, a month, or more without affecting your progress. You can also customize ring goals for each day of the week, ensuring you get the right motivation at the right times.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Series 9 show the ability to pause Activity Rings, in addition to providing a menu to customize movement goals according to the user's schedule, with watchOS 11 users can easily customize Activity Rings without affecting their progress.
The Fitness app on iPhone also offers the ability to customize the Summary tab to see information that's important to them, including new exercise metrics like running, hiking, swimming, and mindfulness.
Additionally, Apple Fitness+ has received a new design in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and tvOS 18, helping users make the most of its vast library, stay motivated, and maintain their fitness routine. The images show the iPhone 15 Pro with the new Apple Fitness+ welcome screen and a private space for the user, enhancing the user experience and encouraging them to stay active and stay fit.
Quick access to important information
Apple Watch offers many options to customize the user experience, and the updates in watchOS 11 make it more personalized and convenient than ever. One of these features is the “Smart Stack,” which is designed to help users quickly access important information from any interface. In watchOS 11, this stack has become even smarter, with new tools like Shazam and others.
The Smart Stack can now suggest widgets based on time, date, location, and daily routine details, making it easier to access features when needed. For example, a widget can show severe weather alerts before a thunderstorm. New interactive widgets allow users to interact directly with apps through the stack, and live activities like Uber arrival updates appear within the stack.
Apple Watch Series 9 displays various widgets at the top of the smart stack, such as Calendar, Weather, Translate, and Uber Trips, giving users quick access to important information. Additionally, the Photos interface in watchOS 11 has become even smarter thanks to machine learning. The watch can quickly analyze thousands of photos and provide recommendations based on aesthetics, composition, and facial expressions. A custom algorithm optimizes the placement of elements within the frame and creates a sense of depth, helping users determine the best photo options. The interface can also be customized by choosing the time display size, designs, font options, and more. The Photos interface now offers Dynamic Style, allowing users to enjoy a new photo every time they raise their wrist.
Check-in has been added to Apple Watch to help users feel safe and connected, especially during exercise. Whether they’re getting ready for an early morning run or a late-night gym session, they can enable Check-in directly from the Workout app, allowing a friend or family member to see how their workout is progressing. Check-in can also be initiated from Messages, just like on iPhone.
Additionally, the Translate app for watchOS 11 comes to users, allowing them to translate text to and from one of 20 supported languages right on their wrist. Thanks to intelligent improvements in the stack, Apple Watch can automatically offer a suggested translation tool when traveling to a country that speaks a different language. The app now supports the use of Latin letters and pronunciation of languages written in the Latin alphabet.
Other important updates to watchOS 11
watchOS 11 introduces an expanded range of workout types, with GPS improvements for accurate distance tracking. These include soccer, as well as American and Australian football, outdoor hockey, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, golf, and outdoor rowing. Users can also view route maps for a wider range of workouts.
New improvements include the ability to customize pool-specific workouts, allowing users to define workout phases and use features like workout sets, rest periods, and haptic cues to indicate a move to the next phase. The new Next Workout view can show what's left in the current phase and provides a quick overview of the next phase.
Apple Maps in watchOS 11 now offers hiking trails in all US national parks, which can be saved to Apple Watch for offline access, with step-by-step instructions even when offline. Users can also create their own hiking trails within the Maps app on iPhone and save them to navigate using just Apple Watch.
Summary notifications from iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be forwarded to Apple Watch, powered by Apple Intelligence. Enhanced ticketing improves information about tickets in Apple Wallet, such as when the venue opens and when the show starts, allowing users to see their seats and other important information at the top of the smart stack. With Tap to Cash, users will be able to send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding Apple Watch close to another Apple Watch or iPhone, making it easier to make money transactions between devices.
Devices that support watchOS 11 update
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
WWDC 2024 was full of surprises announced by Apple, and one of the most notable of these surprises is the watchOS 11 system updates that will make a huge difference in the world of sports and health. Share the best feature of these features with us in the comments below.