Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.3 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.3 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Apple today released watchOS 5.1.3, the fourth update to the watchOS 5 operating system that runs on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 5.1.3 comes more than a month after the release of watchOS 5.1.2, a major update that brought ECG functionality.

watchOS 5.1.3 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.

applewatchseries4sizesgold
watchOS 5.1.3 is a minor update that focuses on performance improvements and fixes for bugs discovered since the release of watchOS 5.1.2. We didn't find any changes during the watchOS 5.1.3 beta testing period. Apple's release notes do not mention any new features or include information beyond the general "this update includes improvements and bug fixes" statement.

The prior update watchOS update, watchOS 5.1.2, introduced the long-awaited ECG feature for the Apple Watch Series 4, allowing Apple Watch owners to take single-lead electrocardiograms to detect atrial fibrillation, which can be a sign of serious health problems.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

earth day 2025 apple watch

Apple Watch Earth Day and International Dance Day Activity Challenges Launching Later This Month

Tuesday April 14, 2026 12:00 pm PDT by
Apple has two new Apple Watch activity challenges coming up, celebrating Earth Day and International Dance Day. The Earth Day activity challenge will launch on Wednesday, April 22, while the Dance Day challenge will take place a week later on Wednesday, April 29. To complete the Earth Day challenge, Apple Watch owners will need to complete a workout that lasts for 30 minutes or longer. This ...
apple watch series 11 spring

Apple Stores Will Soon Be Able to Restore Apple Watch Software In-House

Wednesday April 15, 2026 5:36 pm PDT by
Apple retail locations and Apple Authorized Service Providers will soon be able to restore Apple Watch software in-store without needing to send an Apple Watch to a service center, according to a retail source that spoke to MacRumors. Right now, Apple Watches that can't be restored using an iPhone need to be mailed to an Apple Repair Center for service. There is no in-store repair option, so ...
youtube iphone apple watch health ad 2026

New Apple Ad Sells the iPhone and Apple Watch Health Pairing

Thursday April 23, 2026 11:18 am PDT by
Apple has published a new ad to appeal to customers in the market for an iPhone and Apple Watch pairing, highlighting the insights it can offer for your health. Titled simply "Health with iPhone + Apple Watch," the half-minute ad focuses on a woman waiting in line at a cafe who begins receiving unsolicited health and fitness advice from other people in the queue, as well as local residents,...

Top Rated Comments

testcard Avatar
95 months ago
It does for me at least seem to be better in 5.1.3. It's all in the flick of the wrist as you raise to your mouth.
When I give the wrist a little flick as raising to mouth it works. If I simply raise the watch to my mouth hit and miss.
Probably something I need to practise in private first :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
95 months ago
apple watch updates are always welcome.. best apple product out there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gwhizkids Avatar
95 months ago
Ok. @Applesupport was able to help. Following the tips they gave me (see below) I’ve gotten Raise to Speak working about 75-80% of the time. The difference changer seems to be the speaking before the screen wakes up.

===========================
While there is no need for any flick of your wrist, we do have a few tips that can help more consistently activate Siri:

Make sure the Watch screen stays asleep until less than one or two seconds before the watch is at your mouth and start speaking. It is best to start with the screen asleep and at least ten inches lower than your mouth.

Bring the Watch up close to your mouth in one fluid motion without turning the wrist to wake the screen until the device is at your mouth.

Start speaking as soon as the watch is in position near the mouth instead of waiting to see the screen wake first.

Bring the watch closer to your mouth when speaking.

Try speaking a bit louder when making your request. Low volume or whispered requests are not expected to be loud enough to activate Siri.

Let us know if any of these tips help. een until the device is at your mouth.

Start speaking as soon as the watch is in position near the mouth instead of waiting to see the screen wake first.

Bring the watch closer to your mouth when speaking.

Try speaking a bit louder when making your request. Low volume or whispered requests are not expected to be loud enough to activate Siri.

Let us know if any of these tips help
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
95 months ago
Big thing here for me is Raise to use Siri. Worked once right after I installed the update but not since.
[emoji35]
Only works intermittently for me and no improvement with 5.1.3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burgman Avatar
95 months ago
That “improvements and bug fixes” line isn’t cute, it’s arrogant and disrespectful of the customer.
You must really go off on IOS app updates most use the same line. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
95 months ago
I don't think Apple is going to activate this functionality without some pretty big press releases in the affected countries. They are not going to sneak it in to a minor update and say nothing.
Yes, it'll be a fairly major announcement when this goes live in other countries.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)