Apple releases watchOS 7.3 with Unity Watch Face, extended ECG availability and more

Apple today released watchOS 7.3, the third major update to the watchOS 7 operating system released in September. watchOS 7.3 comes more than a month after watchOS 7.2, an update that supports Apple Fitness +

WatchThe watchOS 7.3 update‌‌ can be downloaded for free via the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General> Software update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch must have at least 50 percent battery power, it must be placed on a charger, and it must be within range of the iPhone.

watchOS 7.3 adds a “Time to Walk” feature for Apple Fitness + subscribers, and adds a sound experience in the Workout app where those who do a walking workout can listen to inspiring stories during their walks. Time to Walk features stories from music artists, athletes, and other influential people that Apple Watch owners and Apple Fitness + subscribers can listen to as they walk.

Each episode is 25 to 40 minutes long and features guests such as country musician Dolly Parton, musician Shawn Mendes, actress Uzo Aduba and NBA player Draymond Green. Speakers share “learned lessons, meaningful memories, thoughts on purpose and gratitude, moments of vitality and other thought-provoking topics.” Time to Walk is available to Apple Fitness + subscribers. Apple has technically released Time to Walk technically before watchOS 7.3, but it is listed in the release notes for the update and is considered as an add-on to watchOS 7.3.

With the watchOS 7.3 update, the ECG functionality expands to Japan, Mayotte, Philippines and Thailand, while irregular heartbeat notifications come to Japan, Mayotte, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

The update adds a new Unity Watch Face inspired by the colors of the Pan-African flag (black, red and green), with shapes changing with movement throughout the day. The face also has black, red, green and yellow color options, along with a black / gray color option.

watchOS 7.3 also contains a bug fix for a problem that could cause the Control Center and Notification Center to stop responding when Zoom is enabled, with full release notes below:

watchOS 7.3 includes new features, enhancements and bug fixes including:

– Unity watch – inspired by the colors of the Pan-African Flag, the shapes change during the day as you move and create a face that is unique to you
– Time to walk for Apple Fitness + subscribers – a sound experience in the Workout app where guests share inspiring stories as you walk
– ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines and Thailand
– Irregular heartbeat notifications in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand
– Resolves an issue where the Control Center and the Notification Center do not respond when Zoom is enabled

For more information on everything included with the atchwatchOS 7‌ operating system, we have a dedicated watchOS 7 summary.