watchOS 11 Release Date, Eligible Devices, Features, More!

In just 20 days, Apple will unveil the next version of the Apple Watch operating system, watchOS 11. Last year’s release, watchOS 10 was celebrated as a milestone upgrade boasting several new features. It will be interesting to see what Apple has in store for the upcoming watchOS 11 update.

If you are eagerly waiting for the upgrade, you landed in the right place. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming watchOS 11, including the release date, supported devices, leaked features, and more.

watchOS 11 Release Date

Apple officially confirmed the dates for its annual developer conference event in March. Apple will showcase watchOS 11 at WWDC 24, which is set to take place from June 10 to June 14 at Apple Park.

As usual, Apple will release the software update first to developers for testing purposes. In the second phase or after two developer beta releases, we could see the first public beta in around July.

Undoubtedly, the public release or stable version is expected to come out alongside the Apple Watch Series X in September.

watchOS 11 Supported Devices

watchOS 11 is going to be available for a big list of Apple Watches. However, there are rumors suggesting that Apple may drop support for the 2018 Apple Watch Series 4, which was one of the company’s best-selling watches.

Apple usually provides five software upgrades for Apple Watches. However, in some cases, the company extends support by an additional year. If this happens this year, only then Apple Watch Series 4 owners can expect to get a taste of the upcoming watchOS 11 update.

Here’s the complete list of Apple Watches which are expected to gain support for watchOS 11.

Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch SE (first generation)
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch SE (second generation)
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Ultra 2

watchOS 11 Features

If you are an Apple Watch user, you might be aware that watchOS updates usually don’t come with as many changes as iOS and macOS updates. Last year, Apple announced a “Milestone Upgrade” on the occasion of the tenth iteration of the operating system.

watchOS 10 packed with several new features, with a dozen of redesigned system apps, all-new Smart Stack widgets, watch faces, health features, and more.

Fairly Minor Upgrade

We are just a few days away from the announcement of the next-generation watchOS upgrade, watchOS 11. Leaks suggest that it will be an incremental upgrade.

Reputable and prolific Apple Insider, Mark Gurman, confirms the same. In his Power On Today newsletter in March, he sheds light on the iOS 18, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2.0, and claims that watchOS 11 is going to be a “fairly minor” upgrade.

Although I was expecting Gurman to share more details on it, sadly, he hasn’t shared any further details yet.

Generative AI

There are several rumors that Apple will acquire the Large Language Model for its products. The tech giant is close to finalizing the deal with the maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI.

The new Generative AI features will be part of iOS 18 and it is also expected to come to watchOS 11 and other operating systems. At the time of writing, there’s no information available related to the specific AI features Apple is working on. Apple Watch owners can expect features such as Apple Music (with auto-generated playlists) and a more powerful Siri.

According to rumors, Siri will have better conversation capabilities, improved interaction between Messages, and deeper integration with Shortcuts app.

RCS Support

Last year, Apple confirmed that RCS support is coming to the iPhone. Last month, Google also accidentally revealed the release timeline and hinted that the feature will be available on eligible devices this fall. Apple Watch owners can utilize it and send RCS messages directly from the watch.

Other Features

Apart from all these features, Apple will bring some new accessibility features with the upcoming update.

So, this is all about the upcoming watchOS 11 update. We will add more details once available.

Related Articles:

watchOS 11 Release Date, Supported Devices, Expected Features, and More