Apple Seeds watchOS 8.6 Release Candidate to Developers - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds watchOS 8.6 Release Candidate to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 8.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after the release of the fourth beta.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch feature
To install ‌‌‌watchOS 8‌‌‌.6, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, ‌‌‌watchOS 8.6 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.

To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌.

The watchOS 8.6 update expands ECG functionality and irregular heart rhythm detection to Mexico, according to Apple's release notes.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Second watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Betas

Monday April 13, 2026 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the second betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes two weeks after Apple released the first betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word ...
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Betas

Monday April 20, 2026 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the second betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on ...
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Betas

Monday April 27, 2026 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on ...

Top Rated Comments

52 months ago

After years of waiting, ECG will be enabled in Mexico. FINALLY!
Yeah installing the update, was surprised when I saw the release notes - only took them 4 years, definitely showcasing the efficiency of our health authorities!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
52 months ago
After years of waiting, ECG will be enabled in Mexico. FINALLY!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
52 months ago
Fix the smart features via Siri Apple broke with WatchOS8!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: World News | Sport | South Africa | Politics | News