Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of WatchOS 2.2 to Developers

watchos2Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 2.2 update to developers, just over a week after seeding the fourth watchOS 2.2 beta and more than two months after releasing watchOS 2.1, the first major update to the watchOS 2 operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 2.2 has been in testing since January 11.

The fifth watchOS 2.2 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on an iPhone running the iOS 9.3 beta by going to General --> Software update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the Apple Watch charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS 2.2, along with iOS 9.3, introduces support for pairing multiple Apple Watches with a single iPhone. Both updates are required, with each watch running watchOS 2.2 and each iPhone running iOS 9.3. watchOS 2.2 also includes a revamped look for the built-in Maps app on the Apple Watch with access to the Nearby feature first introduced with iOS 9 and new buttons for quickly accessing directions to home and work.

There were no other obvious outward-facing changes introduced in the first four watchOS 2.2 betas aside from the changes to the Maps app, but the update undoubtedly includes under-the-hood performance updates and bug fixes to address issues that have been discovered since the release of watchOS 2.1. WatchOS 2.2 is expected to debut in the spring, perhaps at Apple's rumored March 21 event.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

Goaliegeek Avatar
130 months ago
It would be nice to either 1. have Messages sync with what threads are open in your phone (delete a thread on your phone, it removes it from your watch) or 2. be able to force touch open threads in Messages and be able to clear all or select threads to do a mass delete instead of doing it one... by one... by one...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anzio Avatar
130 months ago
It would be nice to either 1. have Messages sync with what threads are open in your phone (delete a thread on your phone, it removes it from your watch)
Yes! I'd also love an option that synchronized Messages across all devices (e.g. delete a conversation on the phone, deleted it from my iPad, Watch, and my Mac as well). At the very least, having it synchronize on the Watch would be great.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rizzo41999 Avatar
130 months ago
I'd appreciate some new faces.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rob.james.arias Avatar
130 months ago
How complicated do people want something on their wrist?

It would be nice to have a "limited" watch, rather than be an extension of phone (and trying to be a phone.). Focus on what's great for a watch, rather than having a small iPhone on wrist.
I think you are looking at this all the wrong way. Having to individually delete messages on the phone, then watch, is more complicated than the simplification of synchronized messages.

Synchronization already occurs between a phone and mac, it's rather odd this behavior did not carry over to the watch.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hauntvictim Avatar
130 months ago
I wish they could speed up the loading of the apps. Even stock apps take 15-20 seconds.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPATVPOD Avatar
130 months ago
Why does clicking the green workout complication at the top centre of the screen when working out not take you back to the workout app???
Please fix Apple.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)