Apple Seeds watchOS 8.6 Release Candidate to Developers
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 8.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after the release of the fourth beta.
To install watchOS 8.6, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 8.6 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.
To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
The watchOS 8.6 update expands ECG functionality and irregular heart rhythm detection to Mexico, according to Apple's release notes.
Popular Stories
After releasing watchOS 27.0.1 for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 last week to address a bug that was causing devices to restart unexpectedly, Apple has now released the update for all eligible watches, which includes Series 9 and later.
Apple's release notes say only that the update "provides bug fixes for your Apple Watch" and the company does not list any security fixes,...
Wednesday September 23, 2026 12:44 pm PDT by
Juli CloverApple today released watchOS 27.0.1, a minor update to the watchOS 27 operating system that came out last week. The update is limited to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
watchOS 27.0.1 can be downloaded through the Settings app on the watch or the Apple Watch app on a connected iPhone. Software can only be installed when the Apple Watch is on the charger and has over 50...
Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the third betas of watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. The betas come two weeks after Apple released the second betas.
Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device.
With iOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2, Apple is testing the new Health app that it showed...
