The Apple watch is the best fitness tracker if you have an apple device. The only downside is that Apple's health software hasn't always been up to date. It is not uncommon for Apple Watch users to immediately transfer their data to more useful and easy to use software. There are a lot of new fitness features in watchOS 9.

If features like measuring stride length and vertical oscillation work as intended, they can turn the Apple Watch into the best running watch and best watch for endurance athletes. There are a lot of new features on the new Series 8 that will help people who want to become pregnant. The top new features in watchOS 9 are explained here. Check out our Best Apple Watch and Best Apple Watch accessories guides for more.

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Is your apple watch compatible?

Will your watch be able to download a new operating system? There are some models that are compatible.

  • Apple Watch Series 4
  • Apple Watch Series 5
  • Apple Watch SE (2020)
  • Apple Watch Series 6
  • Apple Watch Series 7
  • Apple Watch SE (2022)
  • Apple Watch Series 8
  • Apple Watch Ultra

You'll need an Apple device with support for the latest version of the operating system. Instructions on how to download the new OS on your phone can be found in our features overview.

How to install a new operating system.

If you have an Apple Watch, you can install watchOS 9. You will want to make sure that your Apple Watch battery is at least 50 percent, and that you have an internet connection for your phone. To keep your watch and phone in range, you need to make sure they are next to each other.

To update your watch on your phone, open the Apple watch app and tap on the My watch tab. You need to download the software update. The update has begun and you will see a progress wheel on your watch. If you want to install an update directly on the Apple Watch, you need to make sure it's connected to the internet. You can install software on your watch by opening the settings app.

It can take up to an hour to install WatchOS 9, so make sure you don't have to use your watch during that time. Updating your Apple Watch overnight is what you can do if you need it. You can Update Tonight when you receive a notification that the new OS is available. Make sure to confirm on your phone that you want to update your watch. Before you go to sleep, make sure your phone and watch are charged.

There are health and fitness features.

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Improvements have been made to the Apple Watch's health and fitness applications. The low down is here.

The workout views are better.

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Apple updated its Workout app to show more statistics, and you can use the Digital Crown to cycle through different views of heart rate zones, activity rings, and power and elevation. You'll be able to build custom workouts with work and rest intervals, along with notifications for heart rate, pace, power, and cadence.

The app is called compass.

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The new compass app has a hybrid view that includes both the simple analog compass and a new digital one. The crown shows important navigation information, such as latitude, elevation, and incline. New features include Waypoints and Backtrack. A marker can be placed on a point of interest. If the user becomes confused and need to turn around, Backtrack can show them where they have been.

The running metrics are in-depth.

Anyone who uses an Apple Watch while running will be happy to know that they can now track metrics such as Ground Contact Time, Stride Length, and Vertical Oscillation to improve their form. You can either add them to your workout views or see them in the summary of the health app. Trends and patterns will be visible over time.

There are features of fitness+.

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If it's compatible, you'll be able to see your heart rate, calories, and Burn Bar in real-time on the display if you've been streaming your workout to a second screen. To help you push your intensity levels while exercising, there is a new trainer callout feature incorporated into your stat.

There are sleep stages.

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Different sleep stages are shown in sleep tracking. When you're in REM, Core, and Deep sleep, your watch will detect when you're using the heart rate sensor. Each morning, you can use the Sleep app on the watch to see this data. A more detailed breakdown that includes things like time asleep, heart rate and respiratory rate will be included in the Health app.

You can log your medication.

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There is a new medication tab in the health app. You can use it to keep track of your medication. If you tap the notification on your watch, you will be able to log those reminders on your watch.

You can track yourafib history.

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You can now use the AFib History feature to get a weekly update on your condition. You can see how often your heart rhythm shows signs of afib and how other factors such as exercise, sleep, and alcohol affect it. You can download a PDF to give to your primary care physician if you choose to do so. The feature will be available in more than 100 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, and more. It's going to be available in Australia later this year.

The series 8 and Ultra only are temperature sensors.

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The Apple Watch Series 8 has a temperature sensor under the display that can help detect changes in your body depending on your temperature. It can measure your wrist temperature while you sleep to see if there is a difference to your baseline temperature. If you use the Health app, you will get retrospective ovulation estimates to help with family planning.