watchOS 27: 12 new features for the Apple Watch
Apple released watchOS 27 on September 14th. The new features and changes aren’t just available for owners of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. If you own an Apple Watch model that supports the latest update, here are twelve new watchOS 27 features and changes you can discover after installation.
To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone, then tap General → Software Update, connect your watch to a charger and follow the on-screen instructions.
watchOS 27 Siri app
Siri has finally caught up with the AI revolution and, in addition to contextual understanding, now offers its own app that clearly summarizes all conversations and syncs them across devices via iCloud. Simply ask a question on your iPhone and continue the conversation on your Apple Watch. You can pin important conversations or even start a new chat directly from your wrist.
Modular Siri watch face
The new Siri watch face is really useful. Its rectangular complication shows you what’s at the top of your smart stack and updates automatically throughout the day based on the time, location, and other factors.
Dynamic App Grid
Pressing the Digital Crown no longer displays the honeycomb view of your apps by default. watchOS 27 now shows a dynamic grid with app suggestions, your most used apps, and your most recently used apps. The Siri app is in the center, but the alphabetical list is still available—simply rotate the Digital Crown to navigate through all your apps.
New tap gesture
Apple has added a third gesture to double-tap and wrist swipe. The new gesture is simply called “Tap.” A quick tap with your index finger and thumb opens the selected widget in the Smart Stack. You can still navigate the Smart Stack with a double-tap and dismiss notifications with a wrist swipe.
Walkie-talkie was deleted
The Walkie-Talkie app isn’t just hidden, it’s completely gone. After updating to watchOS 27, it’s no longer available and can’t be reinstalled from the App Store. While you can still use the app by running watchOS 26, you won’t be able to start conversations with contacts who have already updated.
Live Rewind
This change will likely surprise most users. In watchOS 26 and earlier versions, a double-click on the Digital Crown opens the app switcher. There, you can return to the previous app, scroll through recently used apps, and close faulty apps by swiping.
This has changed with watchOS 27: A double-tap now displays the new dynamic app grid. This gesture is reserved for the “Live Rewind” feature, which will be released soon (exclusively for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4) and transcribes the last 15 seconds of spoken speech in the environment.
Fortunately, the app switcher will remain available even after the release of watchOS 27.2 later this year, but it will open with a different gesture. If you’re already using the latest beta version, simply tap and hold the bottom edge of the current app to open the app switcher.
"Where is?" app
The “Find Devices”, “Find Items” and “Find People” functions have been combined into a single “Where is?” app with a map-oriented layout, which also includes links for directions and nearby items.
Workout buddy without iPhone
The Workout Buddy app, introduced with watchOS 26, previously required an iPhone within range. With watchOS 27, it can now also run on the Apple Watch, provided Wi-Fi or cellular data is available. The app also analyzes your workout history and tracks incremental improvements in pace, distance, and workout duration. It is now available in Spanish in addition to English.
New cycle tracking features
Cycle tracking in the Health app now notifies you if your recorded patterns indicate perimenopause. It also records symptoms and provides informational materials. These notifications are based solely on your cycle history and are available to users 40 and older. Apple emphasizes that this feature is neither a contraceptive nor a diagnostic tool.
Distance measurement on a treadmill is more accurate
In watchOS 27, new motion algorithms using machine learning measure distance more accurately during indoor runs and walks. According to Apple, the improvement is noticeable from the very first step, not just after a few minutes. Fitness route maps are also more accurate, and step counts from the Fitness and Health apps now stay synchronized.
Smart Stack Update
The Smart Stack’s context-aware suggestions are now significantly more intelligent. Apple cites a few examples: New widgets display the location of your parked car, a close contact’s birthday, changes to your transit pass balance, the Noise app immediately after a loud noise alarm, a notification that Theater Mode is still active, pinned messages, celebrations, and ID badges.
Pedometer
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 feature a redesigned pedometer and the S11 chip in watchOS 27, enabling more accurate step counting. The latest models also offer a new step complication that lets you track your steps in real time directly on the watch face. It’s not yet known whether this feature will be available for older devices.
