Apple seeded release candidates for watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. Learn about the new developer updates and incoming smart home features.
watchos 27
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Users Report Skin Irritation
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners report redness and irritation beneath the sensors, but the cause and prevalence remain unconfirmed.
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2 Developer Betas
Apple released the third developer betas for watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. Learn what is new in the updates and what features to expect.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 adds a Readiness bezel Apple has not documented
Apple Watch Ultra 4 can display its Readiness score around a supported watch face, although Apple’s current face guide omits the option for now.
watchOS 27 puts pinned music at the top of your Apple Watch library
watchOS 27 lets Apple Music subscribers pin songs, albums, artists, playlists, and videos to the top of the Apple Watch Music library for quick access.
How to force quit a frozen Apple Watch app in watchOS 27
Learn how to force quit a frozen Apple Watch app in watchOS 27, when to use the App Switcher, and when a full restart is the safer next step.
New Apple Watch models face reports of random restarts
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners report random restarts, with shared diagnostic logs pointing to a possible Neural Engine timeout.
Siri AI’s beta rollout is testing users’ patience
Early Siri AI users report slow replies, missing commands, unlock prompts, and connection errors on iPhone and Apple Watch during the beta rollout.
Apple’s newest Watches quietly drop handwashing support
Apple’s support list leaves Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 without automatic handwashing detection, although watchOS 27 still includes it.
Apple is reportedly fixing Readiness delays on Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12
Apple is working on fixes for Readiness scores that are slow to update on Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, according to Ray Maker’s in-depth Ultra 4 review at DC Rainmaker, published September 17. After his watches took up to four hours to show a score, he writes: “Apple says they’re working on it,…
Apple Watch Series 12 heart rate nearly matched a chest strap in a new test
Apple Watch Series 12’s new heart rate sensor tracked almost exactly with a Polar H10 chest strap in the first round of testing by Rob ter Horst, who runs The Quantified Scientist YouTube channel. In his own testing, the watch scored correlations of a rounded 1.0 for indoor cycling, 0.98 for running and 0.97 for…
Apple Watch Readiness score not showing up: Here's what to check
A missing readiness score on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 usually means a setup step is incomplete or the watch hasn’t recorded enough sleep. Apple’s support document, published September 14, lists four things to check: your Health Details, Activity, overnight vitals with at least 7 nights of sleep on the watch, and Sleep…
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: what to check if double tap fails
Double tap is the first thing most people try on a new Apple Watch, and when it does not fire the cause is almost always a setting rather than the hardware. Apple republished its checklist on September 14, 2026, days before Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 reach buyers on September 18. Apple Watch…
watchOS 27 hides Apple Watch apps without 64-bit support: Here's what to check
If a third-party app vanished from your Apple Watch after updating to watchOS 27, its developer most likely hasn’t added 64-bit support. Apple’s support document, published September 14, says such an app “won’t appear on your Apple Watch after you update to watchOS 27,” and that it will “again appear” once the developer updates it.…
How to move your Apple Watch to a new iPhone 18 Pro and keep your Health data
Before you set up an iPhone 18 Pro, update your current iPhone and Apple Watch and make sure your Health data is backed up. Apple’s support document on moving a watch to a new iPhone, dated September 14, also asks for Wi-Fi on both iPhones and at least 50 percent charge on the watch and…
Series 12 and Ultra 4 hypertension alerts may not be available in 33 regions
Hypertension notifications may not be available on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 in 33 countries and regions, including Canada, India, Australia and Japan. Apple’s watchOS feature availability page gives the reason in a footnote on each one: “additional regulatory clearances for these devices are in process.” Apple Watch Ultra 4. Image: Apple Apple…
How to set the Apple Watch Ultra Action button and sound or stop the siren
To change what the Action button does on Apple Watch Ultra, open the Settings app, tap Action Button, tap Action, then pick a function such as Workout, Backtrack or Dive. The same button sounds the siren: press and hold it, wait for the countdown to finish, and the watch starts an alarm meant to attract…
How to set up satellite messaging on Apple Watch Ultra before going off-grid
Set up satellite features on Apple Watch Ultra while you still have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, because Apple’s watchOS 27 guide says the setup has to happen before you leave it. That means adding two shortcuts, running the Emergency SOS demo, and texting the people you’ll want to reach. Apple Watch Ultra 4 on the…
How to make Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 recognize songs without a tap
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 can identify a song playing around you and show its title and artist in the Smart Stack without a tap. It only happens once Music Detection is on: open the Settings app on the watch, tap Smart Stack, then turn on Music Detection. Apple Watch Series…
iOS 27's new Screen Time controls need your family's devices updated first
Updating your own iPhone to iOS 27 doesn’t switch on Apple’s new parental controls. Time Allowances, Ask to Browse and the rest of the redesigned Screen Time appear only after the devices in your Family Sharing group run version 27 software and a parent runs a one-time setup from Settings > Family. The current iPad,…
Why watchOS 27 won't install on a new Apple Watch paired to an older iPhone
Buying Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 does not guarantee watchOS 27 will install on it tomorrow. Apple’s watchOS page states the update requires the paired iPhone to already be an iPhone 11 or later, or an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), running iOS 27, and that condition applies to a brand new…
Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 get watchOS 27, but key features stay on Ultra 4
Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 both receive watchOS 27 for free on Monday, September 14, 2026, gaining the same software features as every other compatible Apple Watch. Everything Apple built around the new S11 chip, from the Health Sensing System to the Ultra 4’s 45-hour Max Extended Workout mode, stays exclusive…
Which AirPods to Buy for Calls: The $149 Pick, and the One Number Apple Never Publishes
If calls are the reason you are buying AirPods, buy AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case at $149. It has the same microphone array and the same Voice Isolation as the $129 model, plus an extra hour of playback, a case speaker so you can find it, and a volume swipe you can reach mid-call…
A Child's First Apple Watch: SE 3 at $249, and the Cellular Price Apple Has Not Published
For a child’s first Apple Watch, buy Apple Watch SE 3 at From $249 in the 40mm size. It is the cheapest and lightest watch Apple sells, at 26.3 g for the 40mm GPS model, it runs watchOS 27, and the features a family actually uses are in the software rather than in the $150…