Discover watchOS 12: Features, Release Date, and Compatibility

Apple enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating watchOS 12, the latest operating system for Apple Watch, expected to debut at WWDC 2025. Users can look forward to enhanced Apple Intelligence features and refined user interface elements, offering improved functionality and a seamless experience across all compatible devices.

According to the yearly schedule, Apple is set to introduce watchOS 12, the next version of the operating system for the Apple Watch. The event is expected to launch at WWDC 2025. WatchOS 12 might bring some changes, including expanding Apple Intelligence features and possibly refining the user interface for better compatibility with the watch.

Expected Release Timing for watchOS 12

If Apple continues its usual schedule, watchOS 12 will be announced at its main keynote event at WWDC 2025. This year’s WWDC is expected to take place from June 9 to June 13, 2025. Previously, WWDC typically took place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in California.

However, since the pandemic began, Apple has shifted to pre-recorded keynotes while still inviting media and developers to watch it live at Apple Park’s campus in Cupertino, reducing some of the event’s exhilaration.

The official release date for the end-users is speculated to be in September 2025, along with a new Apple Watch and iPhone, but I will try the beta version first to share the experience early with you all.

UI Changes Inspired by visionOS?

There are rumors suggesting that Apple is planning design improvements for watchOS 12. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, a person often accurate about Apple products, the Apple Watch is expected to see minor interface changes, rather than a major overhaul. This can be interpreted as the Apple Watch already having some design elements akin to visionOS, which is easily noticeable if you look closely.

These refinements could be subtle, such as changing app icons or other graphics to create a more unified ecosystem experience.

This information becomes more reliable as Mark Gurman also mentioned that iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 will undergo a major UI overhaul. Gurman shared that iOS 19 will fundamentally change its user interface and make various software platforms more consistent across Apple devices. Hence, adjustments to watchOS 12 to align with this trend are expected.

Adding Apple Intelligence to watchOS

Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI features, was introduced at WWDC 2024. With watchOS 11, Apple brought some capabilities supported by Apple Intelligence to the watch, including:

Reduce interruptions: The focus mode can now understand the content of notifications and prioritize showing only urgent ones immediately (e.g., messages to pick up kids from school, meet with friends, or attend a meeting with partners).

Summary notifications: Apple Intelligence can summarize notifications into a single line notification.

Genmoji: Users can interact with Genmoji characters on Apple Watch.

An important point is that these features on watchOS 11 require a connection to an iPhone to process. Some sources suggest Apple might continue to expand these capabilities with watchOS 12. However, Mark Gurman remarked, “Apple Watch currently does not have Apple Intelligence (meaning it does not independently process AI models), and that may not change with the upcoming watchOS 12.”

This means, similar to watchOS 11, AI features on watchOS 12 might still rely on the processing power of an iPhone. Currently, it is unclear which Apple Intelligence features will be available on watchOS 12. We also shouldn’t expect the Apple Watch to run Apple Intelligence independently without an iPhone anytime soon, as it may not be necessary.

Exciting, New Emojis Coming to Apple Watch

This is an update that’s almost certain to happen and we can’t do without! Apple regularly adds new emojis in each watchOS cycle. Though they may not appear in the initial major release, they are usually introduced in subsequent minor updates like watchOS 12.1 or 12.2 throughout the software lifecycle.

New Assistive Features

Recently, Apple typically announces new assistive features for its operating systems ahead of WWDC. For watchOS 12, a few new assistive features have been hinted at.

First is Accessibility Nutrition Labels. This will add a new section to the product page of apps and games in the App Store, highlighting the available accessibility features in the app, such as VoiceOver support, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, and more. This feature will be available on the App Store globally.

Next is Live Captions on Apple Watch. Users with hearing difficulties can use the Live Listen controls on their Apple Watch for Live Captions. The Apple Watch will act as a remote control to start or stop Live Listen sessions or rewind to review missed content.

Expanding language support for Live Captions: This feature will now support more languages, including English (India, UK, Australia, Singapore), Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, and Korean.

How to Install the watchOS 12 Beta for an Early Experience?

When the beta is released (usually right after the WWDC keynote for developers), simply follow these steps:

Open the Watch app.

Select General, then Software Update.

Select Beta Updates and turn on the watchOS 12 Developer Beta or watchOS 12 Public Beta (if available).

Installing beta versions of watchOS may not allow you to easily downgrade to a previous stable version or could result in data loss. This means you will have to continue using this beta version until another trial version or official release is available. Think carefully.

Compatible Apple Watch Models with watchOS 12

With watchOS 11, Apple dropped support for three older models: Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and the first-generation Apple Watch SE. Currently, there is no official information on whether Apple will continue to phase out older models with watchOS 12.

However, based on the list of devices that can run watchOS 11, we can tentatively assume for watchOS 12:

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)

Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation, 2022)

Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)

Apple Watch Ultra (2022)

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

Apple Watch Series 10 and newer models.

Besides owning one of the smartwatch models above, you will also need a compatible iPhone, such as an iPhone XR, iPhone XS running iOS 18 to experience the full features of watchOS 11, and possibly iOS 19 for watchOS 12.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is watchOS 12 expected to be released?

watchOS 12 is expected to be announced at WWDC 2025 and released to the public in September 2025 alongside new Apple Watch and iPhone models.

Which Apple Watch models will support watchOS 12?

While there’s no official list yet, watchOS 12 is expected to support Apple Watch models from Series 6 and later, up to the latest models.

How can I install the watchOS 12 beta?

To install the watchOS 12 beta, open the Watch app, go to General, select Software Update, and turn on the watchOS 12 Developer Beta or Public Beta if available.

What new features can we expect from watchOS 12?

Expected features include minor UI changes inspired by visionOS, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, and new assistive features like Accessibility Nutrition Labels.

Will watchOS 12 have new emojis?

Yes, watchOS 12 is likely to introduce new emojis in minor updates during its software lifecycle, such as in watchOS 12.1 or 12.2.