Apple has confirmed that its worldwide developer conference (WWDC) will take place from June 9 to June 13. The annual symposium for all things Apple software should give us our very first look at Apple’s latest software for the best Apple Watches in 2025, Watchos 12.
Apple has provided annual updates to its portable software along with iOS and MACOs since the initial debut of Apple Watch in 2015. Many of the features of the Apple Watch, which we take for granted in 2025, were only added after the earliest models launched, including small features such as activity sharing and even App Store.
With the WWDC 2025 on the horizon, the Watchos 12 is almost certainly very close at hand. The rumors are rings about what Apple can add the software this year, with the biggest Apple Watch headlines for 2025, which currently includes hardware upgrades for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 rather than software adjustments to the entire lineup.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t make some trained guesses and start sharing what we know so far. Inevitably, Watcho’s 12 leaks will probably show up closer to the time, and we get more rumors between now and the launch. Here’s what we know so far.
Watchos 12: Cut to the hunt
- What is it? Apple’s next portable software for Apple Watch
- When is it out? Expect betas from June with an official release in September 2025
- Who gets it? Probably users of Apple Watch Series 7 and later plus Ultra users and maybe Apple Watch Watch 2 and Series 6 owners
Watchos 12: Potential Release and Date of Date
Unless Apple breaks 10 years of Watchos release plans, the company should reveal Watchos 12 on WWDC 2025 Keynote on June 9. Apple always Showing its latest and best software at the opening address in the morning on the first day, so we had to see Watchos 12 along with iOS 19, MacOS 16 and iPados 19.
So we have a good idea of when the new software is revealed. But what about the release date?
Apple Watcho’s 12 Beta should undergo a number of staggered releases if Apple continues in shape with its software rolls.
Usually it releases a developer -beta immediately after the WWDC 2025, often on the same day as the main note message. This means that we could see it in nature already on June 9th. For the past two years, Apple has made the developer beta available to all his customers, so you don’t have to be a paying account member to sign up.
Then follows a public beta, usually a month later. As the name suggests, this beta is also available to everyone. It tracks about a month behind the developer betas, so it doesn’t have quite as many new features, but tends to be more stable as a result.
Finally, after months of testing during the summer, the Apple Software launches publicly for everyone to download. By 2024, this happened on September 16 next to the launch of iOS 18, just between the pre -booking date of iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10 on September 13 and the official launch on September 20. As such, I would expect the full release of Watchos 12 to coincide with the launch of the new Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch see 3, as well as iPhone 17.
Apple has to push the software live before launching the new best Apple Watch models, and it also needs iOS 19 to go live at the same time because you can’t have an Apple Watch without an iPhone. In general, you can then expect Watcho’s 12 to debut in mid -September.
Watchos 12 Expected Compatibility: What Apple Watch models get the new software?
Although we do not know about compatibility for certain before Apple reveals Watchos 12, we can make a very trained guess that Apple Watch models get the new software for.
That’s because Apple’s Chipprogression and features usually move in Lockstep. Let me explain: Every year Apple adds more features to its Watchos software. More advanced features require more power and put more load on the life of the battery, which means Apple drops apple for a model or two each year. Last year, Apple Watcho’s 11 support for Series 4, Series 5 and First Generation of SE ended.
You can expect guaranteed support for Watchos 12 on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Original Ultra, as well as the existing Series 10, Series 9, Series 8 and probably Series 7. Series 6 may be on the chopping block because of its older S6 chip.
See 2 has an S8 chip and is currently still for sale, so I would expect support to continue for a year or two more.
Finally, and obviously, we can expect Watchos 12 to be compatible with all three new Apple Watch models expected in 2025., namely Ultra 3, Series 11 and see 3.
If Apple falls support for a model this year with Watchos 12, the series 6 seems like the most obvious candidate because of its age.
Watchos 12: Rolled Design, New Features and What We Want To See
While we’ve heard that iOS 19 is set to initiate a major redesign and there are big plans for macOS and iPad us, rumors of any new features or design changes for Watcho’s 12 are just so far.
If Apple is planning a larger overhaul for its other software platforms, it may indicate one of two things. Either Apple will review Watchos 12 to reflect the revised look and design of its other software, or Watchos 12 will be a very muted update because it spends so much time on its other software.
Obviously, we prefer if the former was the case, but there are a few other bits and pieces we would like to see, as well as some potential updates we can guess.
Blood pressure
Apple is expected to add high blood pressure monitoring to the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 in September. There is no clear information to confirm whether this will be a hardware change or a software fine adjustment. If it is the latter, blood pressure monitoring could appear at WWDC at the forefront of launch in September, and also pave the way for support for other models.
If it is exclusive to the new models, a publicity is unlikely on WWDC as Apple will reserve the message to the iPhone event September instead.
Apple Ai Health Coach
Apple has reportedly been working on an Apple AI Health Coach app for at least two years. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has previously reported that the company will restore its health app, including a new AI-based coaching service. Gurman reported in January that Apple “increases its ambitions in the health field” and that work continues on the app.
Any upgrade in this department is likely to include a significant Apple Watch component, so a reveal of this progress on WWDC 2025 for Watchos 12 is not out of the question.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence remains a shining absence in Watchos. For better or for worse, Apple has intentionally left its AI features out of its laptop set up and reserves them for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There is some meaning to this. Apple Intelligence is generally hungry and will affect the life of the Apple Watch battery and possibly performance. However, I think there are a few obvious integrations that we could see in the next Watchos -iteration:
- Genmoji – Genmoji allows you to create custom emojier on iPhone that you can send to your friends and family, and it can be a fun way to improve communication on the Apple Watch.
- Message summary – An Apple Watch that could give you AI-driven summary of important messages can be an excellent upgrade, especially on a device with a small screen designed to be watched quickly all day.
- Priority messages – Apple Watch messages may be overwhelming; Using Apple’s priority messages could improve how many messages are being pushed to your Apple Watch.
- Smart answer – Apple Intelligence can write answers to messages. With Apple Watch’s small screen and Fiddly keyboard, this one could be a lifeguard.
- Siri upgrade -Either through Chatgpt or Apple’s own AI improvements, Siri needs a desperate upgrade and it would be great to get chatgpt integration in Siri on Apple Watch while we wait for the upgrade in 2026.
Watchos: 2024’s most significant updates
There is a good chance that the Watchos 12 includes some adjustments and iterations of existing features as well as new ones. Heading features from last year’s release include the new VITALS app that gives you health metrics measured during your sleep.
There was also the new training load, customization in activity rings and the fitness app, the new Smart Stack, improved pregnancy support and new security tools, including check -in. All of these newer features are the most important candidates for further upgrades and changes, and my prediction is that we get an upgrade to the VITALS app.
