Apple Releases watchOS 11.6

Apple today released watchOS 11.6, the sixth update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.6 comes more than two months after Apple released watchOS 11.5. The update 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 11.6 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.

The watchOS 11.6 update focuses on bug fixes and security improvements, with no new features included. Apple's release notes are below.

This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your Apple Watch.

Apple will soon replace watchOS 11 with watchOS 26, an update that is set to come out this fall.

Related Roundups: watchOS 11, watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

Yoda Mann Avatar
5 weeks ago
Dear Apple: Don't ask me if I want to install the update, then like 30 minutes later after you've downloaded and "prepared" the update, ask me again if I want to install it. I told you the first time.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
5 weeks ago
Installing now in hopes of better battery life on U2. It has been horrible for several months now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Daedalus65 Avatar
5 weeks ago
Dear Apple, Please stop turning on “Automatic Updates” every time software is installed. If I wanted automatic updates, I would turn them on. Installing should not have to be a two step process.
1) install
2) go check/turn off automatic updates (again)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
5 weeks ago

Installing now in hopes of better battery life on U2. It has been horrible for several months now.
This. I cannot believe how bad it has been. I've had to charge my Apple Watch Ultra 2 daily now. <sigh>

First time I've noticed my watch reporting overheating with charging too (on this last update). Hope it's better :D
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
5 weeks ago

That's great news. I didn't think to charge before bed. Even just sleep tracking had become a big battery waste. Hoping I have good results!
At 8:33am I was 88%.
At 1:55pm I'm sitting at 79%.

Not bad, better than last version. Looking forward to what you find out.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
5 weeks ago

This. I cannot believe how bad it has been. I've had to charge my Apple Watch Ultra 2 daily now. <sigh>

First time I've noticed my watch reporting overheating with charging too (on this last update). Hope it's better :D
It can't be worse ? Yeah, I went from charging like every 3rd day or so to just about daily now. I've had my watch go dead so many times lately, because I had gotten so used to it lasting several days.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)