watchOS 8 is the latest software overhaul for the Apple Watch The annual refresh includes a host of new features and upgrades the experience of owning the best smartwatch, including mindfulness apps and a greater variety of workouts [watchOS 8 finally allows you to set multiple timers from your wrist without having to use the best Apple Watch apps from third-party developers The ability to edit messages is also a breakthrough for the Apple Watch

The official version of watchOS 8 is available now, after Apple set a release date at a September Apple event where it unveiled the new Apple Watch 7

watchOS 8 will work with the Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE, and some previous generation models, as well as the older Apple Watch 3, in addition to the Apple Watch 7, which will ship later this fall

Here's everything you need to know about watchOS 8, including release date, compatibility, and new features coming to Apple Watch

For more information on key watchOS 8 features, see

The official release date for watchOS 8 is September 20, and Apple will also release updates for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and tvOS 15 on the same day All of these updates were announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the same month as watchOS 8

As for watchOS 8 compatibility, Apple will expand support for Apple Watch 3 and beyond This means that if you have an Apple Watch 4, Apple Watch 5, or one of the two new Apple Watch models to be released in 2020, you will be able to download watchOS 8 for free

Apple Watch will have an entirely new app this year It's called "Mindfulness" and is inspired by recent efforts by companies like Fitbit to improve mental wellness as well as physical

The existing Breathe app will be given a much-needed refresh as well as integrated into mindfulness According to Apple, Breathe is being used more than ever, but the program has not been updated in several years watchOS 8 will add new animations,

Breathe will also be integrated into the Breathe app, which will be available on the Apple website

In addition to Breathe, Mindfulness offers a new tool called Reflect, which encourages users to set aside more mindful moments with thought-provoking prompts These mindful moments are a form of meditation that can be activated from your wrist wherever you are

So while you will not receive Breathe notifications as before, you will receive mindfulness notifications prompting you for both Breathe and Reflect sessions in the morning and evening

Not a year goes by that watchOS does not introduce new workout types Building on the mindfulness app and other mental wellness initiatives, watchOS 8 will introduce Tai Chi and new Pilates-type activity tracking to the workout app

While last year's watchOS 7 hoped to get you moving and grooving with dance tracking, watchOS 8 leans toward slower, more flowing exercises Tai chi, a type of Chinese martial art called "moving meditation," promotes a calmer state of mind

Apple will add cycling tracking capabilities in watchOS 8 This software will detect when you are cycling, when you start, and when you stop A fall detection feature is also included as part of the software in the unlikely event that the cyclist falls off the bike

Apple introduced sleep tracking in watchOS 7, allowing users to see how much time they spend in bed and how long they sleep However, that alone did not allow users to see advanced information about overnight disturbances or sleep stages

With watchOS 8, Apple is developing a sleep app to provide informative indicators about sleep quality; the Apple Watch tracks breathing rates during sleep, and since breathing rates should remain constant during sleep, changes may indicate changes in overall health

Over time, your respiratory rate will be identified as a trend that can be detailed in the iPhone Health app Unfortunately, there is no Health app for the Apple Watch yet

According to Apple, custom photo watch faces are the most popular among Apple Watch users Now, the Apple Watch display supports portrait-style photos and uses the existing time and date elements of the photo watch face to create depth

According to the demonstration, the subject of the photo will be superimposed over the time and date, while the blurry background will remain behind the watch information As long as you choose an appropriate photo taken in portrait mode, it should not interfere with important matters that you want to see at a glance

Additionally, the font and color of the time and date can be changed to complement the multi-layered watch face

The current Photos app on the Apple Watch is rather plain You can swipe through the camera roll, but that's it watchOS 8 adds functionality to the Photos app similar to that found in the iPhone's Photos app

When the new software launches, users will be able to see highlights of "Memories" and "Featured Photos" on their watch, and personalized galleries and collages will appear daily

There is also the option to share photos via message or email directly from your wrist with just a few taps Previously, photos could not be sent from the Apple Watch, only viewed

While Apple did not offer a keyboard like we had hoped, watchOS 8 should bring new tools for messaging and reduce the effort of communicating from the wrist [ie, you can use Scribble, emojis, and dictation to create the same message Currently, only one method can be used per message The new software will also allow users to easily send GIFs and to scroll through messages using digital crowns when typos need to be corrected

HomeKit users will appreciate the watchOS 8 upgrade for navigating their smart home from their wrist For example, checking the video feed of a connected doorbell might reveal options to unlock the smart lock on the front door or turn on smart lights Similarly, watchOS 8 can guess the scene you want to use based on the time of day

At any time, you can view camera feeds and see the status of other smart home devices You can even see if these devices need new batteries or need to update their software

Let's collectively say "thank you" to Apple for allowing us to use multiple timers on the Apple Watch; if there's one feature we can't wait for in watchOS 8, it's probably this one

There is much more to watchOS 8 than the features mentioned above Here are all the other new features you can expect from the Apple Watch when watchOS 8 becomes available this coming Monday