Firmware Update: Apple WatchOS 8.0.0

Apple has released version 8 of the software that runs on the Apple Watch. Updating the Apple Watch must be done through the app on the iPhone; instructions for that are on this page to find. Version 8 of watchOS includes a new photo app, makes it possible to monitor breathing in the sleep tracking app and two new exercises have been added to the fitness app; Tai Chi and Pilates. Below are the most important changes we can find in watchOS 8.

Watch Faces

• Portraits face uses segmentation data from portrait photos taken on iPhone to create an immersive, multi-layered face (Apple Watch Series 4 and later)
• World Time face lets you track the time in 24 different time zones at once (Apple Watch Series 4 and later)

Home

• Status and controls for accessories in your home now appear at the top of the Home app
• Quick views to see if accessories are on, have a low battery, require a software update, and more
• Accessories and scenes dynamically appear based on the time of day and frequency of use
• Dedicated camera room for viewing all available HomeKit camera feeds in one place, with support for multiple aspect ratios
• Favorites area gives you access to the scenes and accessories that you use most

wallet

• Home keys let you tap to unlock a supported home or apartment door lock
• Hotel keys allow you to tap to unlock your room at participating hotels
• Office keys allows you to tap to unlock your office doors for participating corporate offices
• Car keys with Ultra Wideband on Apple Watch Series 6 let you unlock, lock, and start your supported vehicle as you approach
• Remote keyless entry functions on your car keys allow you to lock, unlock, honk your horn, preheat your car, or open your trunk

workout

• New custom algorithms in the Workout app for Tai Chi and Pilates provide accurate tracking of calorie metrics
• Automatic Outdoor Cycling workout detection sends a reminder to start the Workout app, giving you retroactive credit for exercise already started
• Automatic pause and resume for Outdoor Cycling workouts
• Improved accuracy of calorie metrics for Outdoor Cycling workouts while riding an e-bike
• Users 13 and under can now track hiking workouts with more accurate metrics
• Voice feedback announces workout milestones using the built-in speaker or connected Bluetooth device

Fitness+

• Guided Meditations can help you practice meditation, featuring audio sessions on Apple Watch and video sessions on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV that guide you through specific themes
• Pilates workouts are now available, with new workouts every week that are designed to improve strength and flexibility
• Support for Picture-in-Picture viewing on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, so you can watch your workout while you also view other content in compatible apps
• Expanded workout filters for Yoga, Strength, Core, and HIIT workouts, including whether equipment is required

Mindfulness

• Mindfulness app includes an enhanced Breathe experience along with a new Reflect session
• Breathe sessions have tips that help add a physical connection to deep-breathing practices and a new animation to guide your session
• Reflect sessions give you a simple idea to focus your thoughts, along with a visualization that shows the passing of a minute

sleep

• Respiratory rate is measured by Apple Watch during sleep
• Ability to review respiratory rate during sleep in the Health app, and be notified if a trend has been detected

Messages

• Ability to compose or reply to messages by using Scribble, dictation, and emoji all from the same screen
• Ability to adjust dictated text by using the Digital Crown to scroll to where you want to edit
• Support for #images in Messages allows you to search for a GIF or select one you’ve used recently

photos

• Redesigned Photos app allows you to view and manage your photo library from your wrist
• Highlights from Memories and featured photos, in addition to your favorites, sync to Apple Watch with new content generated daily
• Photos from synced Memories will be displayed in a mosaic-style grid, highlighting some of your best shots with a larger photo
• Ability to share photos through Messages and Mail

Find My

• Find Items app allows you to locate items with an attached AirTag and compatible third-party products with the Find My network
• Find Devices app helps you locate your misplaced Apple devices, as well as devices owned by someone in your Family Sharing group
• Find My separation alerts notify you if you leave your Apple device, AirTag, or compatible third-party item behind

Weather

• Next-hour precipitation notifications alert you when rain or snow is about to start or stop
• Severe weather notifications alert you about certain events including tornados, winter storms, flash floods, and more
• Precipitation chart that visually depicts the intensity of the rain

Other features and improvements:

• Focus lets you automatically filter notifications based on your current activity, such as fitness, sleep, gaming, reading, driving, work, or personal time
• Apple Watch automatically aligns with any Focus that you set in iOS, iPadOS or macOS, so you can manage notifications and stay focused
• Contacts app gives you the ability to access, share, and edit your contacts
• Tips app provides collections of helpful hints and suggestions for how to best use your Apple Watch and its built-in apps
• Redesigned Music app allows you to find and listen to music and radio all in one place
• Ability to share songs, albums, and playlists in the Music app through Messages and Mail
• Support for multiple timers, including Siri support for adding labels to timers
• Cycle Tracking can now use heart rate data from Apple Watch to improve predictions
• New Memoji stickers to send a shaka, a handwave, a lightbulb moment, and more
• Over 40 outfit choices and up to three different colors to customize your Memoji stickers’s clothing and headwear
• Real-time measurement of your headphone audio level in Control Center when listening to media
• Ability to add transit cards in Wallet for Family Setup users in Hong Kong, Japan, and select cities in China mainland and US
• Google account support for Calendar and Mail for Family Setup users
• AssistiveTouch allows users with upper limb differences to answer calls, control an onscreen pointer, launch a menu of actions, and more, using hand gestures like a pinch or a clench
• Additional larger text size option available in Settings
• Support for the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Lithuania
• Support for irregular heart rhythm notifications in Lithuania