watchOS 9.6 release date – when is watchOS 9.6 out?

watchOS 9.6 is now here

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Today we’re going to be talking you through everything there is to know about Apple’s watchOS 9.6 release date, with our best up-to-date information. We first saw watchOS 9 back with the release of the iPhone 14 line up in September 2022, but there have been plenty of updates to bring us up to 9.6. With the watchOS 10 release date still some time away, we want to ask: when is watchOS 9.6 out?

If you’re the proud owner of an Apple Watch, then you should be keeping your watchOS as up-to-date as possible. We’ve seen plenty of upgrades throughout the development of watchOS 9 – from new watch faces, and fixes to bugs. Apple is continuously updating their iOS, watchOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems.

watchOS 9.6 release date – out now

On to our latest watchOS 9.6 news, i.e. when is the watchOS 9.6 release date? We’ve already seen news of the watchOS 9.6 beta versions, but we’re going to be looking at when the full public version is released following these developer beta and public beta builds.

*UPDATE* Now, you do not have to wait any longer as watchOS 9.6 is available to the public as a free software update since July 24th. It came with a number of bug fixes and security updates to check out. Apple posted the release notes on their official developer website.

Previously, watchOS 9.5.2 was the most recently released version from Apple, providing some security fixes. That means we’re closing in on the 9.6 release date – but when exactly? Well, considering 9.6 beta 5 was released to developers on July 10th, followed up by the first Release Candidate on July 18th, we figured that 9.6 would come in late July. Considering watchOS 10 betas are well underway, Apple will be looking to wrap up watchOS 9.

watchOS 9 release date history

Following the progress of watchOS 9 has led to many bug fixes and some feature updates to bring us all the way to version 9.6. Let’s check out how the software update history has looked over the past months for the full public versions.

• watchOS 9.0: September 12th, 2022
• watchOS 9.1: October 24th, 2022
• watchOS 9.2: December 13th, 2022
• watchOS 9.3: January 23rd, 2023
• watchOS 9.4: March 27th, 2023
• watchOS 9.5: May 9th, 2023
• watchOS 9.6: July 24th, 2023

The majority of updates focus on bug fixes, but we also saw added support for Apple ID Security Keys for example, in these release notes. Now that 9.6 is fully out, we look forward to watchOS 10.

watchOS 9.6 features

Apple haven’t given too much away, instead opting for the all-encompassing ‘important bug fixes and security updates‘ notes as part of the update. They do talk about the security in more detail, which is much the same as we’ve seen in other OS updates recently. Not too much of note to really get excited again considering all focus is now on watchOS 10.

When it comes to features for watchOS 9.6 specifically, we mostly see bug fixes – which is what we’ve seen largely in the developer beta versions just ahead of the public release. Nothing too exciting for most compared to the new Pride Celebration watch face which released with watchOS 9.5 for the LGBTQ+ community. We can talk you through some of the big differences and features which make up watchOS 9 just below.

Some of the biggest features that have been involved in watchOS 9 include the four new watch faces, new Medications app, running metrics and heart rate zones for workouts. There have been a ton of fitness and health data related upgrades to the OS, which is what many users enjoy in their wearable tech. The Family Setup feature also added HomeKit support for you and your kids with the home app and smart home accessories. Sleep Stages were added to the useful Sleep app to help you understand your sleep & deep sleep patterns.

Aside from the health app upgrades, there is a new Low Power Mode for users on Watch Series 4 or later, as well as an upgrade to the Calendar app and Dock, and new quick actions thanks to the AssistiveTouch menu. Six new languages are now supported by the keyboard too.

watchOS 9.6 release date FAQs

What is the newest watchOS version?

watchOS 9 is the latest generation of watchOS, with watchOS 9.6 being the current version following the beta versions and release candidate.

Which Apple Watches are compatible with watchOS 9.6?

WatchOS 9 has been out for some time, and the compatibility has remained the same.

The official Apple website states that you require an iPhone 8 with iOS 16 or later and one of these Apple Watch models:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch SE
• Apple Watch Ultra

watchOS 9.6 release date : Final word

No matter if you’re wearing an Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series, or Apple Watch Ultra, you’re probably happy to learn about the watchOS 9.6 release date. Now that Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference took place this June, it’s time to learn about all things Apple – and where the remainder in 2024 is taking us.