Apple has today released watchOS 3.1 to the public, the newest operating system release for Apple Watch. watchOS 3.0 introduced many new features for the wearable, but sadly watchOS 3.1 is a much more subdued affair. watchOS 3.1 includes some small changes for Messages — you can now replay bubble and screen effects — as well as several issues related to Timer, Activity and Force Touch. The full release notes are included below. Anecdotally, watchOS 3.1 includes some noticeable improvements to battery life as well as the usual slew of bug fixes.
The release includes a critical fix for Apple Watch Series 2 owners that may have prevented the watch from charging. The update is available for all Apple Watch Series 2, Apple Watch Series 1 and first-generation Apple Watch models.
Apple has also released iOS 10.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch today. To update Apple Watch, visit Software Update in the Watch app on your paired iPhone. The Watch requires 50% battery and must be connected to power to complete the update. A small update for tvOS and macOS 10.12.1 is also available now, ahead of Apple’s media event on Thursday where it is expected to unveil a new range of Mac laptops.
Here’s the full list of changes for watchOS 3.1:
- New option to replay bubble and full screen effects in Messages.
- Messages effect can play with Reduce Motion enabled.
- Fixes an issue that could pause the notification for Timer complete to be delivered twice.
- Resolves an issue that could prevent Apple Watch Series 2 from fully charging.
- Resoles an issue where Activity rings may disappear from the watch face.
- Fixes an issue that prevented Force Touch options from appearing in some-third party apps.
Check the Apple Watch iPhone app now to update your devices.
