watchOS 9.1 launches with improved Apple Watch battery and bug fixes

watchOS 9 extends battery life during some workouts and allows you to download music while your Apple Watch is unplugged from its charger. It also contains several bug fixes.

It’s time to install watchOS 9.1

Apple released watchOS 9.1 (build number 20S75) on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM PT as a minor update with several improvements and bug fixes for the Apple Watch. It includes improvements such as the ability to track sleep stages, convert power to low power mode, and use several new workout metrics.

If you’ve run into early bugs, like the annoying problem with downloading music and draining your battery during some workouts, watchOS 9.1 will fix them.

watchOS 9.1 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later, Apple Watch SE 1st generation and later, and Apple Watch Ultra.

Exciting update with many internal changes

In addition to the tent features, the update contains quality of life improvements.

For example, you can now receive iPhone-less email notifications and edit reminders and subscribe and unsubscribe to podcasts right from your wrist.

This Apple Watch update finally lets you add events to the Calendar app, assign a specific watch face to auto-activate with a specific focus mode, and use a redesigned version of the astronomy watch face.

There is finally a handy toggle to turn off cellular data! watchOS 9.1 also lets you view edited iMessages in the Messages app, favorite timers, change the text size in Control Center, and see your activity rings while you work out.

Other highlights include automatic punctuation for dictation, Apple Watch mirroring (control your iPhone with your watch), step tracking with Backtrack, parked car finder, whiteboard swim detection, quick actions for assistive features, and more.

How to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 9.1

To install the update, open the companion Watch app on your paired iPhone. It’s important to note that the phone must be running iOS 16.1, released alongside watchOS 9.1. Otherwise, you may be prevented from updating your wearable to watchOS 9.1.

In the Watch app, go to the My Watch tab and then go to General → Software Update. If it says watchOS 9.1 update, choose the option to download and install the update (you may be prompted for your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode). Make sure your watch is connected to a charger and is at least fifty percent charged, otherwise the update will not install.

watchOS 9.1 release notes

Apple has provided the full watchOS 9.1 release notes:

This update includes improvements for your Apple Watch.

• Battery life is extended when you’re outdoors, running, and hiking with the ability to lower your heart rate and GPS readings on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and Apple Watch Ultra.
• You can download music when your Apple Watch isn’t charging using Wi-Fi or cellular.
• Matter, the new standard for smart home connectivity, is supported, allowing a wide range of smart home accessories to work together in ecosystems.

This update also includes bug fixes for your Apple Watch.

• Voice feedback about average pace while running outdoors may be incorrect.
• Rain estimates displayed in the Weather app may not match the estimates on iPhone at your current location.
• Hourly severe weather can mark the time as AM to PM hours.
• The length of time displayed during strength training may not increase for some users.
• VoiceOver may not announce the app name until the notification is read when receiving multiple notifications.

Apple provides detailed release notes for all watchOS 9 updates on a webpage called About watchOS 9 updates. If you’re interested in security information for watchOS 9.1 and other Apple software updates, check out the Apple help document.

Should you install watchOS 9.1?

watchOS 9 has quite a few new features that combine to make this an important update. For people currently running the watchOS 9.0, watchOS 9.0.1, or watchOS 9.0.2 update, the new watchOS 9.1 software will at least fix more early bugs. If you haven’t updated to watchOS 9 yet, it’s time to pull the trigger.