watchOS 7 Lands With New Sleep App, Face Sharing and More
Apple Watch owners can now download the latest version of software for their device, watchOS 7.
The update can be downloaded now through the companion Watch app on your iPhone by heading to General > Software Update in the My Watch portion of the app.
Your watch needs to have more than 50 percent power and connected to a charger. Like most Apple Watch updates, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so be patient.
Here’s a look at some of the new features in the software.
A New Sleep App
A long-awaited new feature is the addition of a sleep-tracking app. With the Sleep app, you can see an analysis of how long you slept each morning.
You can also select how long you want to sleep each night, and the app will help you achieve that goal with a pre-bedtime routine. To help make sure your Apple Watch is ready to track sleep during the night, you may receive a reminder to charge before you go to bed.
Another great feature, especially in the age of COVID-19, is automatic handwashing detection. The watch can automatically detect when you’re washing your hands and provide a 20-second countdown timer.
The watch can now also track four new workout types: core dancing, dance, functional strength training, and cool down. The companion iPhone app has now also been named Fitness.
All of the Activity goals, including Stand hours and Exercise minutes, can be customized to better fit your lifestyle.
Family Sharing
Announced yesterday, the new Family Sharing feature will allow users to pair watches for a child or older adult without an iPhone. Compatible with any cellular-enabled version, each person will receive their own phone number and can place calls and text with the watch.
Parents can also approve contacts and downloaded apps. A Schooltime mode will limit the watch features so a child can focus on learning.
The Activity Rings have also been customized for kids to show Move minutes instead of active calories. Running, walking, and cycling workouts also calculate metrics more accurately for children.
You can also receive notifications when family members get home or are somewhere they aren’t expected to be.
New Watch Faces Galore
And just like in previous major updates, there are a bevy of new watch faces to select from. Some of the new options include a Memoji face to show off your own creations and Chronograph Pro with a tachymeter.
For better customization, an app can now offer a number of complications on a single face. That opens up a number of possibilities for creating a unique face.
If you want to show off a face you’ve created, you can share it by posting link, text, or email so other Apple Watch users can use it.
