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 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

apple watch s12 ultra 4

Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit. Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
southern straps 3 1

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps

Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it. Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...
apple watch series 6 blood oxygen monitoring 1

Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger

Tuesday October 6, 2026 6:09 am PDT by
Apple's $634 million patent loss to medical technology company Masimo has just gotten even bigger, after a federal judge ordered Apple to pay an additional $184 million in interest on what it owes (via Bloomberg Law). The ruling takes Apple's bill to around $818 million, but that doesn't include any post-judgment interest continuing to accrue until the judgment is paid. Judge James Selna ...

Top Rated Comments

testcard Avatar
101 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
101 months ago
apple watch updates are always welcome.. best apple product out there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gwhizkids Avatar
101 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
101 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
101 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
101 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)
Latest Stories
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
21 minutes ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
44 minutes ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
1 hour ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
6 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
8 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
8 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
9 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
10 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
11 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
12 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
12 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
12 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
12 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
14 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
14 hours ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
15 hours ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
15 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
16 hours ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
17 hours ago
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
21 hours ago
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
21 hours ago
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
22 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
23 hours ago
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
1 day ago
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
1 day ago
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
1 day ago
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
1 day ago
Skyrim Comes to Apple Silicon Macs With New Unofficial Installer
Skyrim Comes to Apple Silicon Macs With New Unofficial Installer
1 day ago
Apple Highlights Mac and iPad Use in Paris Design Exhibition
Apple Highlights Mac and iPad Use in Paris Design Exhibition
1 day ago
Apple Seeks 6G Modem Engineers as It Plans for Post-5G iPhones
Apple Seeks 6G Modem Engineers as It Plans for Post-5G iPhones
1 day ago