Apple Releases watchOS 6.1 With Support for AirPods Pro and Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch Models

Apple today released watchOS 6.1, the first major update to the watchOS 6 operating system that's designed to run on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 6.1 comes more than a month after the launch of watchOS 6.

‌watchOS 6‌.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated ‌Apple Watch‌ app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the ‌Apple Watch‌ needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌iPhone‌.

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No major changes were found during the watchOS 6.1 beta testing period, but according to Apple's release notes the update introduces support for the AirPods Pro and brings watchOS 6 to older models that didn't get it yet.

watchOS 6.1 introduces support for AirPods Pro and includes improvements and bug fixes. This update also brings watchOS 6 to Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2.

watchOS 6.1 works with the Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch models and is the first version of watchOS 6 to run on those devices.

When watchOS 6 launched, it was limited to the Series 3 Apple Watch and later, with Apple promising watchOS 6 for older Apple Watch models at a later date.

Apple has also released watchOS 5.3.3 with security improvements for Apple Watch models not updated to watchOS 6. watchOS 6 requires a newer ‌iPhone‌ that can run iOS 13, so Apple Watch owners who do not have a compatible ‌iPhone‌ must continue to use watchOS 5.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

The Boatman Avatar
71 months ago
Is this one of the good updates, or one of the updates that bricks the device? Asking for a friend.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
71 months ago
Ok with Apples recent track record, who’s going first ?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
71 months ago
watchOS 6.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.

iPhone? Apple Watch App? How quaint. It’s 2019 now, download it directly on the Watch:





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Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
al256 Avatar
71 months ago
I just want my series 4 to not take multiple taps and pushes just to get the time in theater mode.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GIZBUG Avatar
71 months ago

Is this one of the good updates, or one of the updates that bricks the device? Asking for a friend.
Just came out, who knows.......
Have “your friend” install it and then report back to us please
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
71 months ago

Not installing until feedback is out. Too many sloppy updates from Apple this week.
You mean this year
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)