watchOS 9 is officially released, which means it’s time to update your Apple Watch if you’re ready to take advantage of all of its new features, tools, and settings. But with all the upgrades on your wrist, you might want to offer advice on what to try first.
In watchOS 9, the Apple Watch has improved sleep tracking, including sleep stage data, a range of fresh watch faces, an improved workout interface, AFib history, the Medicines app in iOS 16, slim notification banners, and more.
All devices that support watchOS 9 are also getting Apple Watch Low Power Mode – a battery life feature not only reserved for the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. Some watchOS 9 updates are exclusive to specific Apple Watch devices, but no matter which device you own, installing the latest software version makes the best smartwatch even better.
Here are five features you should try first when you get watchOS 9 up and running, so check them out!
1. Replacing the Apple Watch face
There are now more Apple Watch faces to choose from than ever before, with four new faces added in watchOS 9: Metropolitan, Lunar, Astronomy, and Playtime.
Some existing watch faces also have new customization options. As always, you can create a library of many watch faces, but now your iPhone’s Focus presets can also include designated watch faces. This means that if you enable a specific Focus state on your iPhone, your Apple Watch watch face will automatically change to reflect your preference for a given Focus.
2. Set up the medicine app
Actually supports using your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. While the new medication app might not sound exciting, it’s incredibly useful for anyone taking any medication and can help you build a more complete digital health profile.
In the Health app on your iPhone, you can add medications and specify what time of day you take them. Not only will the health app check for possible reactions to your medications, but it will also send you reminders when you’re taking them. These reminders will appear on your Apple Watch, prompting you to record your intake quickly and discreetly from your wrist.
3. Close your Apple Watch ring
The Apple Watch Fitness app has been considerably improved in watchOS 9, so a great way to try out the new features is to get active. With several new running metrics, there are even more ways to monitor your runs and progress in watchOS 9—vertical swing, stride length, and touchdown data let you further explore your performance. Custom workouts and recognition of regular routes can also guide you toward your running goals.
Another new metric for Apple Watch workout tracking is heart rate zones. Monitoring your heart rate zones can help you understand your intensity level. You can view your heart rate zones in real time in the Workout app. You can now also conveniently view the progress of your Apple Watch ring without leaving the app.
4. Manage Apple Watch battery life
Although this was a later announcement, Apple Watch Low Power Mode is one of the most exciting updates to watchOS 9. Apple Watch Series 8 battery life is now up from 18 hours to 36 hours, according to Apple estimates. The company doesn’t specify estimates for older Apple Watch devices, but if you turn on Low Power Mode in Control Center, you should see an improvement in Apple Watch stamina.
Low Power Mode disables power-hungry features such as the always-on display, cellular and Wi-Fi connections, automatic workout tracking, and continuous heart rate monitoring. It might not be a feature you want to use all the time, but if you still have a long day or even an overnight trip, see if Low Power Mode can keep your Apple Watch alive.
5. Sleep with your Apple Watch on
In watchOS 9, the sleep app has been upgraded to include sleep stage data. Previously, the Apple Watch could only tell you when you were in bed and when you fell asleep through breathing data. You can now see an overview of sleep cycles.
Using the information gathered by the accelerometer and heart rate monitor, the Apple Watch should now be able to detect what stage of sleep you’re in throughout the night. You will be able to see how much time you spend in each stage and when you wake up. You can view long-term sleep trends in the Health app on your iPhone.
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