The fourth upgrade to Apple’s watchOS 10 operating system, which was made available in September, is watchOS 10.4. More than a month has passed since watchOS 10.3, a small update that included a new watch face.
Open the Apple Watch app on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, select General & Software Update, and you can download watchOS 10.4. The Apple Watch must be charged to at least 50% before the new software can be installed, and it must be placed on a charger.
Support for new emoji characters, such as lime, edible brown mushroom, phoenix, broken chain, shaking head vertically (as in a “yes” nod), and shaking head horizontally (as in a “no” head shake), has been added to watchOS 10.4. These characters were also added to the iPhone.
Additionally, there is a setting to turn off the Apple Watch’s double-tap capability when using Vision Pro, as well as the ability to double-tap to display an extended notification. Apple also patched a flaw that affected the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, which could have resulted in “ghost touches” on the display for some users.
Below are Apple’s release notes for the update:
WatchOS 10.4 has the following new features, enhancements, and bug fixes:
- Double tapping the notice to expand it is now possible when using the Tap to Show Full notice setting.
- A passcode is needed for extra protection when using Apple Pay with Confirm with AssistiveTouch, therefore double tapping the side button is not supported.
- Fixes a bug that stops some users’ contacts from synchronizing with their Apple Watch – Addresses a bug that causes some users to see false touches on the display
Upgrading to watchOS 10.4:
Upgrading to watchOS 10.4 is a straightforward process. Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS and then follow the steps on your Apple Watch through the Watch app on your iPhone. Remember, it’s always wise to back up your Apple Watch before any software update.
watchOS 10.4 might not be a feature-packed overhaul, but the focus on user experience improvements, security enhancements, and bug fixes makes it a worthwhile update for any Apple Watch user. The double-tap notification expansion and the added security for Apple Pay with AssistiveTouch are particularly welcome additions. So, update your watchOS and enjoy the finer details that make the Apple Watch experience even better.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222