Along with the release of iOS 10.1 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch today, Apple released the newest version of watchOS for Apple Watch. The WatchOS 3.1 update brings small changes to the device, mostly focusing on fixing bugs.
Of note are updates to Messages and a fix for a potential battery issue. With the update, you'll be able to replay full-screen effects in Messages and play effects when Reduce Motion is enabled. The update should also fix any problems Apple Watch Series 2 models may have had that prevented some from charging fully. The update goes on to provide fixes to the Timer, Activity interface, and Force Touch functions in third-party apps.
The update won't drastically change how you interact with your Apple Watch, unlike when watchOS 3 became available in September. That update brought a slew of changes to the Apple Watch's interface, including the new app Dock, the SOS feature for alerting authorities to emergency situations, and the Breathe app that guides the wearer through deep breathing exercises.
WatchOS 3.1 is available for the Apple Watch Series 2 as well as Apple Watch Series 1 and first-generation models. You'll have to connect your watch to power, and it must have at least 50 percent battery to install the update. Here's a full list of the changes in watchOS 3.1:
- New option to replay bubble and full-screen effects in Messages
- Messages effects can play with Reduce Motion enabled
- Fixes an issue that could cause the notification for Timer complete to be delivered twice
- Resolves an issue that could prevent Apple Watch Series 2 from fully charging
- Resolves an issue where Activity rings may disappear from the watch face
- Fixes an issue that prevented Force Touch options from appearing in some third-party apps.
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