watchOS 9 (RC) release candidate update is out for testers!

watchOS 9 is ready for a public release. Today, Apple seeds the watchOS 9 release candidate build to those who opted for the beta testing program or developers program. If your Apple Watch is already running on the watchOS 9 beta, then you can easily upgrade your watch to the release candidate build.

Let’s take a look at what’s new in watchOS 9 release candidate along with the update size and build number.

For those, who are not familiar with the release candidate. RC aka Release Candidate is the new naming for Apple’s Golden Master builds. The same build will be released next week to the public.

watchOS 9 release candidate build is here!

Apple kicks off the watchOS 9 RC build with a 20R361 build number and measures around 431MB in size. The new software upgrade is available for Apple Watch Series 3 and newer models. Currently, it is available for testers. The stable build’s release is set for next week.

Speaking of the changes, then the update brings support for Dogs and Cats in portrait watch faces announced last year. There are four new customizable watch faces, including, the Astronomy face, Lunar face, Playtime with animated numbers, joined by the Metropolitan watch face with lovely color combinations. The new update revamps Siri UI on the Watch.

Moving to the other features, then there’s an enhanced workout app with three new running form metrics, including Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation. It also brings custom workouts, Swimming enhancements, and more. watchOS 9 comes with Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) history feature to access important information including an estimate of how frequently a user’s heart rhythm shows signs of AFib, as mentioned by Apple.

Apart from these features, the upgrade brings Sleep Stages feature for better sleep tracking, new medications app to track medications with reminders, 6 keyboard language support, and more.

Download and Install watchOS 9 Release Candidate

If your Apple Watch is running on the watchOS 9 beta, then you can easily update your Watch to the release candidate. Before heading over to the steps, make sure that your iPhone or iPad is running on the latest iOS 16 RC and iPadOS 16 RC. Here’s how you can update your watch to the release candidate.

  1. At first, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on My Watch.
  3. Then click on General > Software Update > Download and Install.
  4. Enter the password for confirmation.
  5. Tap on Agree to the terms and conditions.
  6. Once done, tap on install.

Prerequisites:

  • Charge your Apple Watch to at least 50% and connected to the charger.
  • Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi for internet connection.
  • Make sure that your iPhone is running on iOS 15.

Once you tap the install button, it will download and install the newest update on your Apple Watch. Once the installation process is completed, the watch will automatically reboot to the latest watchOS 9 release candidate.

If you still want to know anything, then you can leave a comment in the comment box.

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Haneet Singh

Haneet is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of YTECHB. He has a huge passion for tinkering with latest smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, smart TVs, and more. As an avid Apple Ecosystem user, he loves customizing his iPhone and iPad to suit his needs. For tips, you can connect Haneet at haneetsingh@outlook.com In 2019, Haneet and the YTECHB team exclusively shared the wallpapers of iPhone 11 right before the launch event. In 2020, Haneet alongside his team members shared exclusive renders and official photos of two Samsung Galaxy smartphones - the Galaxy M11, and Galaxy M21. Later, the YTECHB team leaks information about Motorola's feature phones and Razr 3. In the last few months, our team shared Galaxy S24 Ultra leaks and more. You may come across with our work getting mentioned in The Times of India, India Today, Hindustan Times, NDTV, TechRadar, Digital Trends, Yahoo News, GSMArena, Android Authority, Android Central, Android Headlines, SamMobile, XDA, 9to5Google, and many other publications. He works across news, updates, features, guides, and more. If YTECHB writes about it, you can expect him to be involved in some way.

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