Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.

watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1
watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

With watchOS 11.4, Apple has added an option for a Sleep Wake Up alarm to break through Silent Mode, so you can have your Apple Watch make a sound in addition to haptic tapping when a morning alarm goes off. There's also support for Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners in the Home app.

This update includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
- Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners can be added to the Home app as well as used in scenes, automations, or simply say "Siri, clean the living room."
- An option to allow Sleep Wake Up alarm to break through Silent Mode
- An issue where face selection may become unresponsive when switching faces
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100

More of the features available in watchOS 11 can be found in our watchOS 11 roundup.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

Icehawk Avatar
13 months ago
Maybe one day they'll let us use our custom tones from our phones on it.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JackieTreehorn Avatar
13 months ago
You sure this time around?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
I thought we’re on watchOS 24.4



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

It’s data over Bluetooth so not far off.

Kind of amazing we got stuck with this technology that works just well enough nobody can replace it but everyone also knows it mostly sucks.
The watch can update over Wi-Fi. You actually don't even need to use your phone either. If it's downloading slowly, then turn Bluetooth off to force it to use Wi-Fi.

I started the update at 2:39pm, and it was done at 3:00pm...so ~20 minutes total for my S10.



Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yukari Avatar
13 months ago

Where is this new setting found?

This the sound one? To me it looks like it’s just on. In Sounds & Haptics, right under the Silent Mode toggle it says “Silent mode will not mute alarms and timers while the Apple Watch is charging.” So, just looks like it’s gotta be charging, so no sleep tracking.
It's on your Apple Watch.
1. Open Sleep App on the Apple Watch.
2. Scroll down to the bottom (or rotate the dial until you get to the bottom screen).
3. Click on "Wake Up"
4. Scroll down to "Sound & Haptics" and click on it.
5. There you will find "Break Through Silence". Toggle the switch to "ON"
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

build number is 22T251 - which is strange. that's the same build number that was pulled!
Maybe the problem was not with the build but something on the server side, etc.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)