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All Apple Watch Apps Must Be Native Apps Starting on June 1

watchos2betaApple today informed developers that starting on June 1, 2016, all watchOS apps submitted to the App Store must be native apps built with the watchOS 2 SDK or later.

When the Apple Watch first launched, watchOS apps were reliant on the iPhone to run on the Apple Watch, but with watchOS 2, Apple introduced support for native apps. With native app support, developers can build apps that are able to run on the Apple Watch, allowing apps to open more quickly and work more smoothly.

Apple's June 1 deadline for native apps hits two weeks before the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, where it is expected to show off new versions of iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS.

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Top Rated Comments

Aluminum213 Avatar
131 months ago
THANK YOU

This will help with the fact that 99% of watch apps are slow junk
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OneMike Avatar
131 months ago
But native apps are still slow...
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
131 months ago
I wonder if this is in preparation for a next Gen Apple Watch that is less iPhone reliant to be revealed at WWDC?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DFierce Avatar
131 months ago
Thank god. Slow apps make a really poor experience on the watch.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sirious Avatar
131 months ago
This is good news. I can't count how many times I've given up on an app due to its long load times and completed the task on my iPhone instead.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
131 months ago
If I could use it as a phone I would buy an Apple Watch tomorrow. It's pain having to carry an iPhone everywhere I go.
The only time when I don't want to have my phone on me is when am running or swimming. Which makes less then 5% of my time. I feel that these should be 2 totally different devices and not replace each other.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)