watchOS 8.7 Should I Update? (Features, Security & More)
Last updated on July 31st, 2022 at 07:30 pm
Posted in News by Mike on July 30, 2022
watchOS 8.7 update
watchOS 8.7 build number 19U66 has been released with improvements, bug fixes and important security updates! It’s available over-the-air to all Apple Watches that are compatible with watchOS 8 (Series 3 and later) as long as the paired iPhone is updated to iOS 15.6!
watchOS 8.7 Should I Update?
We’re 10 days into this new version and you might want to know if it’s a good time to update or not.
I can only recommend you to keep reading and decide at the end of the article.
If you’re looking for a quick answer though, my advice is definitely, because the release comes with around 25 security updates which will make your Apple Watch a more secure device.
watchOS 8.7 Features
In terms of new features this release won’t make you to update. There’s literally no change mentioned by Apple in the release notes.
“Improvements” are the closest that can get to changes for this update. If you spot some don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments and we will update them here.
The watchOS 8.7 Developer update log is even more cynical:
“There are no new release notes for this software update.”
watchOS 8.7 Security Updates
The security content is impressive though. It includes 26 sections with patches for: APFS, Audio, Apple Neural Engine, GPU Drivers, ICU, Kernel, Multi-Touch, Wi-Fi and more.
You can read all security updates in Apple’s security document over here.
watchOS 8.7 Bug Fixes
Unlike iOS 15.6, bug fixes are only mentioned in the general description of this update and not detailed in the release notes.
So, if you notice any issues that have been fixed in this version share them with us in the comments and we’ll update them here:
- To be updated
watchOS 8.7 Issues
New issues is the main factor why most users refrain from updating to a new watchOS version in the early days. There’s no significant bug that we could detect since updating to watchOS 8.7.
Nevertheless, if we’re missing out on something please report the problem in the comments! We will try to replicate and also publish it here in the main content of the article for better exposure!
Have you updated to watchOS 8.7? What’s your feedback? Use the comments and let us know!
Related: Apple has also released iOS 15.6 / iPadOS 15.6 (19G71), macOS 12.5 (21G72), tvOS 15.6 (19M65) and HomePod 15.6.
I get a couple of thousands calories burned after a 50-min run. This is impossible. How can I fix?
Thanks for reporting Barb. Check your weight settings in the Watch app on the paired iPhone: Health -> Health Details -> Weight.
Tap Edit if to correct any erroneous values.
Check your units using the Health app, mine always reverts back to the larger number version of cal v kcal v kJ – a quick toggle always fixes it.
Health app > Active Energy > scroll down to Units
Thanks for your help Suzy. Highly appreciated. I will update your tip in the main content of your article: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-fix-apple-watch-calories-not-accurate/
Since updating to 8.7 my battery life is only 4 hours max. Watch is flickering and auto opening Siri, music, weather and other apps. Tried everything Apple suggested but just won’t work. I have the series 6 steel.
It has been two weeks now and ready to give up.
Thanks for sharing Rob. watchos 9 will be released in less than 3 weeks. The beta versions are quite stable. You could go for the current watchOS 9 Public Beta 5 release if you find your watch unusable under the current circumstances.
I’m running the watchOS 9 beta on my own watch and it’s stable. The only downside is that you will have to update iPhone to iOS 16 Public Beta 5 too. But that’s stable too. Since Beta 5 my banking apps are working.
Hope it helps. Keep us updated.
My Apple Watch update doesn’t show the app or opens Spotify when I updated to 8.7.1. I tried many techniques and they don’t work what can I do.
You mean that Spotify isn’t available for you after watchOS 8.7.1 update?