At its WWDC 2024, Apple previewed watchOS 11, introducing new features to enhance health insights, fitness tracking, and user personalization for Apple Watch.
Enhanced Health Metrics with Vitals App
The new Vitals app provides users with a quick overview of key health metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels.
It analyzes these metrics to offer daily health status updates and notifications if multiple metrics are out of the typical range. The app uses an algorithm informed by real-world data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study.
Pregnancy Support
With watchOS 11, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18, Apple introduces additional support for pregnant users. The Cycle Tracking app displays gestational age and allows symptom logging.
Users can also receive reminders for mental health assessments and alerts for increased fall risk during the third trimester.
Training Load Insights
The new training load feature helps users understand the impact of their workouts over time.
It compares workout intensity and duration over the last seven days to the last 28 days, aiding in informed training decisions. An effort rating scale (1-10) and an innovative algorithm provide insights into workout difficulty.
Customizable Activity Rings and Fitness App
Users can now pause Activity rings without affecting award streaks and customize ring goals by the day.
The Fitness app on iPhone lets users personalize the Summary tab and track new metrics for various workouts. Apple Fitness+ updates include a personalized For You space and enhanced search features.
Personalization with Smart Stack and Photos Face
The Smart Stack offers quick access to important information, now with new widgets like Shazam and severe weather alerts.
The Photos watch face uses machine learning to recommend and optimize photos, offering a dynamic mode for a fresh image every time the user raises their wrist.
New Connectivity and Convenience Features
The Check In feature allows users to notify a friend or family member of their workout status directly from the Workout app.
The Translate app now supports 20 languages on Apple Watch, with automatic suggestions based on location. The double tap gesture makes it easier to interact with apps like Messages and Calendar.
Additional Updates
- Workout App Enhancements: New workout types including Soccer, American Football, and Downhill Skiing. Custom Workouts for Pool Swims and new interval views.
- Apple Maps: Offline hikes for U.S. national parks and custom walking routes.
- Enhanced Notifications: Summarized notifications from iPhone 15 Pro to Apple Watch.
- Improved Ticketing: Enhanced event information in Apple Wallet.
- Tap to Cash: Send and receive Apple Cash by holding Apple Watch near another device.
Developer Tools
watchOS 11 introduces new APIs for Smart Stack and double tap gesture functionalities. Developers can add interactive widgets and relevancy cues for timely information display.
Privacy
Health and fitness data are encrypted when the device is locked. Health data backed up to iCloud is encrypted in transit and on Apple servers, with end-to-end encryption ensuring that Apple cannot access the data.
Availability
- Beta Release: Developer beta available now; public beta next month.
- Full Release: Free update available this fall for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, paired with iPhone Xs or later running iOS 18.
- Regional Availability: Some features may not be available in all regions or languages.