Apple Releases watchOS 8.7 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

[MacRumors]

Apple today released watchOS 8.7, the sixth major update to the watchOS 8 operating system that launched in September 2021. watchOS 8.6 comes around two months after the launch of watchOS 8.6, an update that expanded ECG functionality to Mexico.

watchOS ‌8.7 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.

According to Apple's release notes, there are no new prominent features in watchOS 8.7. Instead, the software focuses on under-the-hood "improvements," along with bug fixes and important security updates.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 8.7 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

 

[t0rqx]

Smart features via Siri Homekit works again? Without confirming every Siri request by tap?

 

[DinkThifferent]

The update we've all been waiting for. And even though "According to Apple's release notes, there are no new prominent features in watchOS 8.7" it sure as hell deserves its own article!

 

[ToxicBlue]

Keyboard in Spanish, it really that hard? that's the only thing I'm asking for.

 

[thadoggfather]

Apple should released an ultra violet Watch.

 

[0134168]

Neve seen any model of Apple Watch, neither this 7, updates so slowly. Rebooted now 3 times.

 

[Buran]

Hearing device control is still not fixed.

 

[Mr. Dee]

The dreaded Apple Watch update. Last one for Apple Watch Series 3!

 

[dk001]

Wish Apple would do away with having to utilize the charger to update.

 

[spartan1967]

Wish Apple would do away with having to utilize the charger to update.

Definitely a prominent new feature that is needed.

 

[Rafterman]

weird, watch update can't be accessed. But other iOS devices were fine.

 

[Misopates]

Smart features via Siri Homekit works again? Without confirming every Siri request by tap?

Yes, seems to work without the need to tap for confirmation again.

 

[appleiPhUser12]

Updated earlier this afternoon. I hope the Hand Washing notification is now fixed up. It was pretty glitchy and random.

 

[Toratek]

Wish Apple would do away with having to utilize the charger to update.

Problem is, if the watch runs out of power because you didn’t charge it enough before the update, it will brick the watch. So, charger is needed. Because some people are stupid and others make mistakes.

 

[Nismo73]

Hopefully when I first use the watch in the morning and I switch to a different watch face, it’ll show today’s date and not yesterday.

Oh and can it go back to a watch face after I park my vehicle and get out instead of staying on the music screen.

 

[Baretta]

Wish Apple would do away with having to utilize the charger to update.

👨‍⚕️ scheduled that for 2050

 

[Baretta]

Problem is, if the watch runs out of power because you didn’t charge it enough before the update, it will brick the watch. So, charger is needed. Because some people are stupid and others make mistakes.

So how about a 80+% battery check

 

[dk001]

Problem is, if the watch runs out of power because you didn’t charge it enough before the update, it will brick the watch. So, charger is needed. Because some people are stupid and others make mistakes.

I have a few different smart watches. The AW is the only one that has to be connected to its charger.

 

[legacyb4]

Hopefully fixes the non-GPS data recording in the middle of a workout (S3) despite having my phone in my pocket.

 

[gr8tfly]

weird, watch update can't be accessed. But other iOS devices were fine.

Same here. iOS updated fine, but when I go to update watchOS to 8.7 (from the watch app), it brings up the update then within a sec or two, says the watch is up-to-date. Tried updating directly on watch – same thing. Flashes the 8.7 update screen, then clears and says it's up-to-date.

Edit: update Just a few minutes later and it's working fine from the iOS watch app. ¯\(°_o)/¯

 

[drew0020]

Updated earlier this afternoon. I hope the Hand Washing notification is now fixed up. It was pretty glitchy and random.

I turned that off immediately when it was released. Do you actually use that “feature”?

 

[CarlJ]

MacRumors is no longer allowed to use that purple image unless/until they get Apple to release that Watch band.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Apple should released an ultra violet Watch.

Is that watch in the picture a real color? That one would be a hit I’d think.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Problem is, if the watch runs out of power because you didn’t charge it enough before the update, it will brick the watch. So, charger is needed. Because some people are stupid and others make mistakes.

True but I can update my other devices off the charger if they have greater than 50% battery. My watch was at about 90% today when the update came out. Charger anyway.

They already have the requirement for it to be at greater than 50%, in addition to being on the charger. Only possible reason to require both is if there’s a watch model out there for which processing the update would eat up a large percentage of battery despite being on the charger.

I assume there’s a good reason for it but it seems a little overly cautious.

 

[appleiPhUser12]

I turned that off immediately when it was released. Do you actually use that “feature”?

Yep I do.