WatchOS 11 is set to make a significant impact with its upcoming release this fall, bringing an array of new features aimed at enhancing health, fitness, and safety tracking on the Apple Watch. The update will be launched alongside the new Apple Watch models and the expected iPhone 16. However, if you’re eager to dive into these new features ahead of time, the public beta for WatchOS 11 is now available. This beta version can be installed on Apple Watch Series 6 and later models, as well as the second-generation SE, and it offers a preview of the forthcoming features before their official rollout.
I’ve been exploring the WatchOS 11 beta on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for about a month, and several new features have particularly stood out. One of the most anticipated updates is the ability to adjust your Activity Rings, which now allows for greater flexibility in setting and modifying your fitness goals. You can pause your rings for specific periods—such as a day, a week, or a month— and set custom targets for each ring (Move, Exercise, and Stand). This feature is especially useful for managing days when you’re less active or need to account for varying activity levels throughout the week. For example, you can set lower goals for less active days and increase them on more active days, ensuring your targets are realistic and attainable.
The introduction of the Vitals app is another significant enhancement. This app tracks important health metrics, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature, while you sleep. In the morning, the Vitals app presents this data on your watch, providing a quick and convenient way to review your overnight health metrics. The app includes a seven-day overview to highlight any deviations from your normal ranges, with visual indicators for significant changes. Notifications will alert you if multiple vital signs are out of range, offering an early warning for potential health issues.
Training Load is a new feature designed to help you monitor the intensity of your workouts. It’s particularly useful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to optimize their training or avoid overtraining. The Activity app now includes a Training Load chart that shows your 28-day weighted average of activity, with comparisons to your past seven days. Each workout is categorized based on how it compares to your average, and you can adjust the effort rating if the automatic assessment doesn’t fully reflect your workout intensity. This allows for a more accurate representation of your training efforts and helps you adjust your regimen as needed.
Safety improvements come with the Check In feature, which integrates with both the Workout app and the Messages app. Check In allows you to notify a chosen contact of your status based on time intervals or specific locations. During workouts, Check In will send a message to your selected contact when you complete your activity, and if the Apple Watch detects any unusual changes—such as a sudden increase in speed or a drop in heart rate—it will prompt you to confirm your well-being. This feature enhances your safety by keeping someone informed of your status during physical activities.
Other updates include a redesigned Photos watch face, which now offers more customization options. You can select photos from your iPhone to display on your watch face, with enhanced features for adjusting the time display and background colors. The Remote app has been upgraded with new controls, such as the ability to mute or unmute your Apple TV and manage captions with a single tap. The Translate app has also been added, allowing you to translate spoken phrases into various languages directly from your watch, with adjustable playback speeds and offline language packs for convenience.
WatchOS 11 introduces a host of new features and improvements designed to enhance your Apple Watch experience. From advanced health tracking and personalized fitness options to new safety tools and app functionalities, this update is packed with enhancements that promise to enrich your smartwatch use. As always, features may change before the final release, so it’s a good idea to back up your devices before installing the beta version.