You can get the latest version of watchOS directly on your Apple Watch, or use your iPhone to update.
Check your Apple Watch compatibility
First, make sure that your Apple Watch works with the latest software. watchOS 11 is compatible with these Apple Watch models:
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 6 and later
Apple Watch Ultra and later
Not all watchOS 11 features are available on all devices.
Updating to watchOS 11 requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 18.
If your Apple Watch isn't compatible with the latest version of watchOS, Software Update will show you the newest version that your watch can use.
Identify which Apple Watch or iPhone model you have.
Get ready to update
Next, check these things:
Make sure that your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
Make sure that your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged.
Make sure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.
Keep your iPhone near your Apple Watch throughout the update. It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete, so you might want to update overnight or wait until you have time.
Update your Apple Watch using your iPhone
You can wait until Apple Watch notifies you when a new update is available. Tap Update Tonight in the notification, then go to your iPhone to confirm that you want to update overnight. At the end of the day, leave your Apple Watch and iPhone charging overnight so the update can complete.
Or you can update your Apple Watch with your iPhone manually:
On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap the My Watch tab.
Tap General > Software Update.
Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it.
Wait for the progress wheel to appear on your Apple Watch. It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete.
Leave your Apple Watch on its charger while the update completes. Don't restart your iPhone or Apple Watch, and don't quit the Apple Watch app. When the update completes, your Apple Watch restarts on its own.
Update directly on your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch has watchOS 6 or later, you can install updates without your iPhone:
Make sure that your watch is connected to Wi-Fi.
On your watch, open the Settings app.
Tap General > Software Update.
Tap Install if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Leave your Apple Watch on its charger while the update completes, and don't restart your Apple Watch. When the update completes, your Apple Watch restarts on its own.
Some iPhone updates might require that you update your Apple Watch
It's important to keep your Apple devices up to date so that they have the latest bug fixes and security enhancements.
Some iOS updates on your iPhone require that you also update watchOS on your Apple Watch. So if you see an alert on your iPhone that says "Update Apple Watch" and "Your Apple Watch software is out of date," you should update to the latest version of watchOS so that your data, including Activity data, continues to sync to your iPhone.
Need more help with updating?
Try these steps:
Make sure that your Apple Watch is connecting properly to its charger.
Restart your Apple Watch.
Restart your paired iPhone.
Try again to update your Apple Watch.
If the update won't start:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap General > Storage.
Delete the update file.
Try again to update your Apple Watch.
Learn what to do if you see 'Cannot Install Update' when updating Apple Watch or if your Apple Watch says you need more available storage to install a watchOS update.
If you installed an iOS or watchOS beta or developer seed
If you installed beta software on your iPhone or Apple Watch, you need to remove the beta profile before you can update to the next major software version:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Profiles. Tap the beta profile that you want to remove, then tap Delete Profile. Enter your iPhone passcode if requested.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap General > Profiles & Device Management. Tap the beta profile that you want to remove, then tap Delete profile. Enter your iPhone passcode if requested.
After you remove the profiles, restart both devices and check for the update again.
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