Apple Releases watchOS 8.5 With Support for Apple TV Purchase Authorization, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification Improvements and More

[MacRumors]

Apple today released watchOS 8.5, the fourth major update to the watchOS 8 operating system that launched in September. watchOS 8.5 comes two months after the launch of watchOS 8.4, which fixed a charging bug.

‌‌watchOS ‌8.5 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.

watchOS 8.5 introduces support for Emoji 14 characters, with new additions including melting face, biting lip, heart hands, bubbles, beans, face with diagonal mouth, palm up hand, eggs, troll, low battery, coral, lotus, and more, plus it includes improvements to Apple's irregular heart rhythm feature that notifies users if atrial fibrillation is detected. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.

watchOS 8.5 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:

• Ability to authorize Apple TV purchases and subscriptions
• COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet now support the EU Digital COVID Certificate format
• Updates to irregular heart rhythm notifications designed to improve atrial fibrillation identification. Available in the United States, Chile, Hong Kong, South Africa, and many more regions where the feature is available.
• Audio hints in Fitness+ provide you with audio commentary of visually demonstrated moves during workouts.

For more on all of the features in watchOS 8, we have a dedicated watchOS 8 roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 8.5 With Support for Apple TV Purchase Authorization, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification Improvements and More

 

[t0rqx]

I really hope it is more stable in terms of bugs squashed when controlling smart devices. Not need to confirm a command every time when you ask for one…

 

[mrjackal]

Except the Watch OS 4 didn't fix the charging bug...

 

[_Spinn_]

Nothing much to talk about in this update...

 

[Howard2k]

Except the Watch OS 4 didn't fix the charging bug...

Pretty sure I read that if you had the problem with whatever OS version introduced that, the subsequent updates would not resolve the problem. They just stop it happening for "new" users.

That doesn't make sense to me but all the same if you're still having the charging issue maybe contact Apple support and see what they will do.

 

[CarlJ]

I really hope it is more stable in terms of bugs squashed when controlling smart devices. Not need to confirm a command every time when you ask for one…

I think the "having to confirm homekit commands every time" comes from the device (watch, iPhone, etc.) deciding you're not at home at the moment - possibly due to gps drift. I've had bouts of that problem, turned out Siri thought I was outside (while I'm talking to a Homepod that's in the same room with both me and the lights to control). Eventually the problem went away, but I don't feel reassured that it won't happen again.

 

[mapsdotapp]

nice quality of life improvement: inputting your passcode immediately unlocks the watch instead of having to tap OK to submit it.

 

[expectdelay]

That irregular heart rhythm notification is a great feature, and I love that they are updating it. It was very helpful to me. Love any health related updates.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

What is the "Audio hints for Fitness+ workouts"? This is the first I've heard of it and I can't find any documentation about it. Is it meant to be an accessibility feature or is it for everyone?

Edit: never mind; I did just find this: Apple Makes Fitness+ Workouts More Accessible to Blind and Low Vision Subscribers With the Addition of Audio Hints That Supplement Trainer's Spoken Instructions

 

[t0rqx]

I think the "having to confirm homekit commands every time" comes from the device (watch, iPhone, etc.) deciding you're not at home at the moment - possibly due to gps drift. I've had bouts of that problem, turned out Siri thought I was outside (while I'm talking to a Homepod that's in the same room with both me and the lights to control). Eventually the problem went away, but I don't feel reassured that it won't happen again.

Thanks for the tip. Strange that this was introduced since (i think) WatchOS 8.

Weird enough when using the iPhone to use a command it does not ask for confirmation.

 

[gamerdude]

My 41mm S7 won't fast charge at all. I have the 20W Apple Charger, S7 puck. Also tried with Anker 40W PD charger and S7 puck. But nothing works. Still takes few hours to charge fully from 20%. I will see if 8.5 fixes this but have no hopes.

 

[B4U]

PSA: This is the first Watch OS update that requires newer than iOS 15.1.1.

 

[london_apple]

2 hours to download… still waiting. Why is it always the Watch that takes forever to update? Literally every other product downloads an update faster for me lol

 

[Robert.Walter]

PSA: This is the first Watch OS update that requires newer than iOS 15.1.1.

My mom just tried to update her watch and it told her that she had to update her phone first (both watch and phone are on the latest, not today’s, last revision. )

 

[AppleM]

It’s taking 2 hours to download …..is it normal??????

 

[AppleM]

My mom just tried to update her watch and it told her that she had to update her phone first (both watch and phone are on the latest, not today’s, last revision. )

Yes happened to me…….strange. And taking 2 hours to download. I don’t know why

 

[AppleM]

2 hours to download… still waiting. Why is it always the Watch that takes forever to update? Literally every other product downloads an update faster for me lol

Happening to me. 2 hours to download…….not finish yet……..why? Never happened before

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Happening to me. 2 hours to download…….not finish yet……..why? Never happened before

Yea I noticed it took longer than normal for me too (took about 30min)..

 

[CarlJ]

It’s taking 2 hours to download …..is it normal??????

Any chance it's trying to download over a different connection (either cellular or WiFi, vs. using bluetooth from the iPhone)?

I just updated my watch (Series 5) and it took less than 5 minutes for the whole process.

 

[CarlJ]

Thanks for the tip. Strange that this was introduced since (i think) WatchOS 8.

Weird enough when using the iPhone to use a command it does not ask for confirmation.

Could be the iPhone has a more accurate/correct idea of where you are. And I can't prove if that's even the problem. I seem to recall it happening to me a year or two ago, I don't think it's WatchOS 8 specific.

 

[B4U]

My mom just tried to update her watch and it told her that she had to update her phone first (both watch and phone are on the latest, not today’s, last revision. )

Up until last watchOS update, I was able to get it with iOS 15.1.1.

 

[Toratek]

My iPad Pro, iPhone13 Pro, MacBook Pro, and both my Apple Watches (7 & 6) updated in a grand total of 20 minutes. This was a very smooth update.

 

[mar12]

Pretty sure I read that if you had the problem with whatever OS version introduced that, the subsequent updates would not resolve the problem. They just stop it happening for "new" users.

That doesn't make sense to me but all the same if you're still having the charging issue maybe contact Apple support and see what they will do.

Any chance you remember where you read that? Curious bc I still have the charging bug (though haven’t tested 8.5 yet. Hope that will just fix it but idk at this point)

 

[hanser]

Any experiences with the new version yet? Is the new unity face still broken?

 

[cmrivera1112]

Now my Apple Watch asks me if I want to pause my workout walk every 5 minutes while I am actively walking, my heart rate still registers, and my time and distance are still recording and my watch is tight against my wrist and unlocked.