Top 10 New Features in WatchOS 10

It’s WWDC time again, which means Apple is showing off new features across its suite of operating systems, including this year a huge update to the software that powers the Apple Watch. WatchOS 10, currently available in beta and expected to launch later this year, boasts a host of new features, including better watch faces, more helpful mental health apps, and offline maps. this fall because Apple will only release the update to devices paired with phones running iOS 17. That means you’ll need an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or newer devices to get watchOS 10—yes, and Apple Watch Series 4. (or newer) of course..

Here are the best new watchOS 10 features to look out for:

Smart Stack improves the watch face

Smart Stack is a fundamental feature of watchOS 10. It lets you access important information like the currently playing song, weather, activity stats, and more right from your watch face. In older versions of watchOS, you had to press the side button to access some information; in watchOS 10, you can rotate the Digital Crown directly from the watch face to see it. Smart Stack also adapts to your usage to prioritize relevant information.

A new way to open the Control Center

In watchOS 10, you can open the Control Center by pressing the side button. It seems like a much more reliable way to access it than swiping up on a tiny display.

Full Screen Applications

Apple’s own apps like Weather, Messages, Maps and more will use more of your Apple Watch’s screen in watchOS 10. On a device where screen space is valuable, it only makes sense to use every millimeter available.

New watch faces

watchOS 10 adds fun new watch faces called Palette and Snoopy. The first shows the time in different colors and overlapping layers, while the second brings everyone’s favorite Peanuts characters to the Apple Watch.

Improvements for cycling training

Cyclists will love the new metrics that watchOS 10 can track. A new view called Power Zones lets you track the intensity of your cycling workout, great for effort-based workouts. You can also automatically pair your Apple Watch with Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories that can measure cadence, speed, and power. There’s also a new feature for your iPhone that makes it easy to view your cycling metrics on your phone while you ride.

Don’t have an Apple Watch yet? Need a new one? watchOS 10 will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later paired with iPhone Xs or later (running iOS 17).

• Apple Watch Series 8 with GPS ($329)
• Refurbished Apple Watch 7 ($262)
• Apple Watch SE 2022 ($219)

Intensive hiking training

With watchOS 10, the Compass app will be able to generate some useful waypoints, such as Last Cellular Connection. This will allow you to trace your route back to the last place you had cell service. You’ll also see an improved 3D view of saved waypoints, and in the US, you’ll also be able to see a hiking topographic map showing hill shading, points of interest, and elevation data.

Register your mental health

watchOS 10 will allow you to log mental health data. The Mindfulness app will let you record your state of mind, and you can go to the Health app on your iPhone to see how your mental health matches your activity level. This can help you find parallels between exercise levels and your mood.

There’s another new feature that checks ambient light levels and encourages you to spend more time in daylight. This may benefit physical and mental health, but this feature has also been developed to improve visual health. Spending more time in daylight can reduce your risk of nearsightedness, and this feature can help you keep track of whether you’re on track to avoid this vision impairment.

NameDrop is Coming to Apple Watch

A new iOS 17 feature called NameDrop that lets you bring your iPhone to another iPhone to quickly share contact information is also coming to Apple Watch, and watchOS 10 will also support the same feature. You can bring your Apple Watch close to another Apple Watch or iPhone to use this feature.

FaceTime group audio

watchOS 10 adds support for FaceTime Audio group calls on Apple Watch. You can also view video messages left via FaceTime right on your Apple Watch.

Improved navigation with Apple Maps

You will be able to upload maps to Apple Maps for offline navigation. This is an optional feature for Apple Maps on iOS 17 that supports offline maps. Offline navigation is very useful for saving battery or when the network is unavailable or unstable.