watchOS 2.2

watchOS 2.2 launches with Nearby in Maps, pairing of multiple watches and more

In addition to the major iOS 9.3 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a companion software update for the Apple Watch released this morning, too. The new watchOS 2.2 firmware is now available as an over-the-air download in the companion Watch app for the iPhone.

watchOS 2.2 is not as major a release as iOS 9.3 or OS X 10.11.4 so ti includes only a few improvements such as the Nearby feature in Apple's Maps app, the ability to pair multiple watches to a single iPhone and more.

Apple seeds watchOS 2.2 beta 3 to developers

Apple on Monday seeded the third beta for its incoming watchOS 2.2 update to developers. The release is available as an OTA upgrade via the Apple Watch app for those already on 2.2, or as a standalone download from Apple's developer website.

Beta 3 comes two weeks after beta 2, and a month after the original watchOS 2.2 beta was released. The update includes a handful of new features, such as the ability to pair more than one Apple Watch with an iPhone and Maps app improvements.

Apple seeds watchOS 2.2 beta 2 to developers

A new watchOS 2.2 beta just appeared for developers. watchOS 2.2 beta 2 is the follow up to the original 2.2 beta that launched two weeks ago to the day.

The update is now available as an OTA upgrade via the Software Update section of the Apple Watch app. You must be running the prior beta to see the OTA update for watchOS 2.2 beta 2. The update is also available on the Apple Developer website.

watchOS 2.2 preview: Pairing more than one Apple Watch and Maps app improvements [video + screenshots]

Along with the release of iOS 9.3 beta 1 and tvOS 9.2 beta 1, watchOS 2.2 was seeded to developers. watchOS 2.2 isn't filled with nearly as many features as the aforementioned software for the Apple TV and iPhone, but it does contain a major new feature that will make a specific group of Apple Watch owners happy.

Beginning with watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3, users can now pair more than one Apple Watch to a single iPhone. Once paired, you can easily switch between them as the need occurs. Have a look at our full video preview for a demonstration of the pairing process in action.

Apple seeds watchOS 2.2 to developers

Along with iOS 9.3, Apple has also seeded watchOS 2.2 to developers. watchOS 2.2 is a significant release, because it is the first software release for the Apple Watch that allows users to pair multiple Apple Watches to a single iPhone. Granted, the iPhone must be running iOS 9.3, which is only available to developers at the time, but it paints a positive picture for the future.