watchOS 10: Release date, new Apple Watch features, beta, more

watchOS 10 is Apple’s upcoming operating system for Apple Watch models. After expanding its smartwatch availability with the Apple Watch Ultra, the next generation of watchOS brings a redesign for larger displays, mental health focus, and stacks to Watch Faces.

Features

Here's everything new with watchOS 10.

Redesigned interface, new Watch Faces, Smart Stack feature, and new Control Center button

Apple says that "virtually every app has been rethought." With that, these apps use the entire display to create new places for content, so you can see and do more, which is especially useful for larger displays. In addition, Apple added two new Watch Faces, Pallet and Snoopy.

With Smart Stack, you get the information you need below any Watch Face. You just need to turn the Digital Crown to reveal widgets in the Smart Stack. It includes multiple timers, your next meeting, music playing, and more.

Lastly, the Control Center is now available when pressing the side button.

Cycling and Hiking workouts revamp

With watchOS 9, Apple revamped Running workouts. Now, with watchOS 10, the company focused on Cycling and Hiking. Here are the highlights for each of the exercises.

Cycling

Automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled accessories to add cadence, speed, and power to your Workout View

When a power meter is detected, Apple Watch will automatically estimate your Functional Threshold Power

When starting a cycling workout from your Watch, it will automatically show up as a Live Activity on your iPhone

Hiking

See a three-dimensional view of where you've been using Elevation Views. Get estimates of where you last had reception with Cellular Connectivity Waypoints

Search for and discover important details of nearby trails, including name, length, time, elevation, gain, and more

Topographic maps (first available in the US) let you explore mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers in detail

Elevation alerts: get notified when you've passed a particular elevation threshold.

watchOS 10 expands mental health awareness

watchOS 10 lets you log your state of mind by scrolling through engaging visuals to help you select how you're feeling at that moment and during the day overall. Apple wants you to stay consistent with notifications and complications on watch faces.

In the Health app on the iPhone, it's also possible to see your state of mind and how it could correlate with lifestyle factors.

In addition, your Apple Watch Series 6 (and later), SE 2, or Ultra can identify how much time you spend in daylight thanks to its ambient light sensor.

Custom Plans on Apple Fitness Plus

Apple Fitness Plus on watchOS 10 lets you select your personal workout preferences, including the days, workout duration and types, trainers, and music to create a custom plan to keep you on track.

See how custom workout plans for Apple Fitness Plus might get BGR's Joe Wituschek to use the service again.

More features

There's even more coming to watchOS 10:

Workout APIs that let developers explore some powerful motion sensors in Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 that can detect rapid changes in direction and acceleration;

Enterprise: watchOS 10 introduces the ability to implement mobile device management (MDM), configure VPNs, and deploy internal-use apps;

Offline maps: iOS 17 lets you download offline maps and see them on Apple Watch.

Follow-up medication reminders: Help you stay on track with your medications

How to install watchOS 10 beta?

As of June 5, developers can download the watchOS 10 first beta. They need to follow these steps:

On your iPhone, open the Watch app

Tap on General and Software Update

Tap on Beta Updates and enable watchOS 10 Developer Beta

A public test version will be available later in July to all users.

watchOS 10 release date

Apple said watchOS 10 is expected to be released later this fall. Usually, it's closer to the September event, when Apple will unveil its iPhone 15.

Compatible Apple Watch models

Since the processor available on Apple Watch models hasn't advanced much in the past years, Apple Watch Series 4 will still receive another year of updates with watchOS 10.