Apple Releases watchOS 8.1 With SharePlay Fitness+ Group Workouts, Fall Detection Enhancements and More
watchOS 8.1 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.
According to Apple’s release notes, the watchOS 8.1 operating system introduces enhanced fall detection algorithms, support for a COVID-19 vaccination card in the Wallet app, and Fitness+ workouts with others over FaceTime using SharePlay.
watchOS 8.1 includes the following improvements and bug fixes for your Apple Watch:
– Enhanced algorithms to detect falls during workouts and option to enable fall detection during workouts only (Apple Watch Series 4 and later)
– COVID-19 vaccination card support allows you to present verifiable vaccination information from Apple Wallet
– Fitness+ supports SharePlay to allow subscribers to invite up to 32 people to workout together through a FaceTime call using iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV
– Always On may not display the time accurately for some users when their wrist is down (Apple Watch Series 5 and later)
Details on what’s new in the watchOS 8 update can be found in our watchOS roundup.
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