Apple today released a new watchOS 6.1 update for Apple Watch that brings AirPods Pro support, bug fixes, and security patches to Apple watch owners.
watchOS 6.0.1 was the first update to watchOS 6 and now watchOS 6.1 is here with fixes, new features and finally support for series 1 and series 2 models. Compatible with iOS 13.2 and macOS 10.15.1.
If your Apple Watch is already on watchOS 6, this is a minor upgrade with significant changes. If you get stuck with watchOS 5 while Apple fixes watchOS 6 issues, your list of features, fixes, and patches will be longer. This is a medium download and installs faster than the base watchOS 6 update, but takes about 10 minutes longer than the watchOS 6.0.1 update. This update on Apple Watch 5 with GPS is 340mb.
Now that you know the basics of watchOS 6.1 and where it is in the lineup, here’s what you need to know about this update, which is currently rolling out. You may see an alert on your wrist about this update with a warning to install it tonight, but you should read it before you make the jump.
watchOS 6.1 Reviews
How does watchOS 6.1 perform?
I’ve been using the watchOS 6.1 update on my Apple Watch 5 for a short time and this is what I learned. I am using the GPS only model and we are monitoring the feedback from the LTE model. A common complaint with the Series 5 with Always-On Display and Noise tracking was poor battery life, but it’s still too early to tell if this update has fixed this issue.
connection
applications
Speed and Battery Life
It’s too early to make any bold statements about battery life, but after two hours it’s solid.
watchOS 6.1 Issues
What you need to know about watchOS 6.1 issues.
There have been no widespread reports of any watchOS 6.1 issues so far, but you can expect some issues will still be issues in this update.
Our and many other installations were quick to install compared to watchOS 6, which is a great sign. As you can read in our review above, the connection is working fine and the apps are working fine so far. The only installation issue we saw was that some users were not aware that you had to plug the watch into the charger to start the installation.
We are taking care of any connection or app issues in this new version of watchOS 6.1. Apple says this update includes performance fixes that could fix the bad Apple Watch battery life some users are experiencing and help the overall performance of the device.
watchOS 6.1 Update: What’s New
You won’t get any real new features, but this one is focused on AirPods Pro and unnamed fixes and improvements. Here’s what’s new in watchOS 6.1;
If you are using these features, you should install the update now. There may also be some additional security updates, but Apple has yet to release them.
watchOS 6.1 Compatibility
watchOS 6.0.1 update is compatible with all devices currently running watchOS 6.
The watchOS 6.1 update is already available on all Apple Watch devices running watchOS 6. This update adds support for Series 1 and Series 2 models.
To be able to install the watchOS 6.1 update, you need to install iOS 13.2 on your iPhone.
what’s next
Apple has yet to publicly confirm watchOS 6.2.1 or watchOS 6.2, but the company is clearly working on new watchOS updates. With upcoming updates, we expect Apple to enter an update cycle of 1-2 minor updates with a larger update, then rinse and repeat. There’s a good chance we’ll see a minor update before the end of the year, but it may arrive in 2020 before we see watchOS 6.2. It all depends on what issues come up and how long it takes for Apple to release a developer beta.
