Apple Watch software has come on leaps and bounds this year and, since it left developers’ beta, watchOS 4 has been rock solid. The latest version has just arrived. Here’s the deal on how to download and install it. And whether you should.
How to install
Really, this couldn’t be simpler. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and from the My Watch tab choose Settings, then General, then Software Update. The iPhone will check your Watch’s software and update if the 4.2 version has arrived. Note that you'll need an iPhone 5s or later to update as you need iOS 11 on the phone.
Note that this new version is not the same as the developers’ beta version of 4.2 – it’s a different build number, so developers using the dev beta will find an update waiting for them, too.
Alternatively, if you see a red notification dot on the Watch app icon, then you’ll know it’s waiting for you.
The Watch needs to be on its wireless charging puck and have 50% charge as well as being near to your iPhone, for the update to take place. Enter your passcode, agree to the terms and conditions and then just wait. I’ve been through this process twice.
Updating from watchOS 4.1 to 4.2 took in all 45 minutes, including download and installation time. Updating from dev beta watchOS 4.2 to public release 4.2 took 30 minutes.
So, what are the benefits?
Well, there are several but the real standout is Apple Pay Cash. That’s the name of the new additional feature in Apple Pay that lets you send money to friends, or receive cash from them. Apple isn’t the first to the party with this feature but it’s managed to execute it in a way that feels secure, straightforward and utterly comfortable. Please note that for now it’s only available in the United States.
Apple Pay Cash Setup
Pretty straightforward. You need to have Apple Pay set up on your iPhone already, then tap Set up Apple Pay Cash in the Wallet. Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 11.2.
Once it’s set up on your iPhone, Apple Pay Cash appears as an option in the Messages app and the Wallet app.
Using Apple Pay Cash with Messages on the iPhone.
Once you’ve set up Apple Pay Cash, you launch Messages, and choose your recipient just as you would when you were sending them a regular message (which you can do to warn them cash is coming, if you like). Next, press the App icon and then the Apple Pay icon. Choose the dollar amount – no cents, so if you were splitting the check for dinner, do the decent thing and round it up to the next dollar!
The screen shows the amount and where it’s coming from: your debit card, credit card or Apple Pay Cash balance. Note that there’s only a charge if you pay by credit card and that’s 3%. You then approve the transaction with Touch ID or, on the iPhone X, Face ID.
And that’s it.
The recipient sees a message with the dollar amount and in the Wallet app, the Apple Pay Cash balance reflects the new transaction.
Using Apple Pay Cash On Apple Watch
Open Messages, and you’ll find a new Apple Pay icon. Tap and enter the dollar amount and that’s what will be sent to your contact. You can also open the Wallet app and pay from the Apple Pay Cash card just as you would with a regular credit card.
Using Apple Pay Cash With Siri
Also very easy. Say, ‘Hey, Siri, send $10 to…’ and the name of your friend. Siri will confirm she’s got it right and the money will be on its way. You can also request cash from a friend using Siri.
You can load cash from your debit or credit card to your Apple Pay Cash balance. A minimum of $10 is required. There’s a maximum of $3,000 that can be added per day, and a maximum of $10,000 over seven days.
Apple Pay Cash is secure, simple and your cash is transferred and available instantly – like cash.
Other features of watchOS 4.2
As with any software update, little bugs have been squished by Apple’s might bug killer, including, this time around that curious wrinkle where an Apple Watch was restarting if you asked it about the weather. As though you’d mortally offended it, perhaps.
There are more capabilities in terms of what HomeKit can control from the Watch including sprinklers and a new workout type so that third-party apps can track distances, average speeds and more on the latest Series 3 Watch.
Finally, an issue with simultaneous timers and alarms not being dismissed independently of one another has been fixed.
Should You Upgrade?
I’ve been using the beta for a while now and it’s solid and reliable, so yes, you should.
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