Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.3 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.3 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Apple today released watchOS 5.1.3, the fourth update to the watchOS 5 operating system that runs on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 5.1.3 comes more than a month after the release of watchOS 5.1.2, a major update that brought ECG functionality.

watchOS 5.1.3 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.

applewatchseries4sizesgold
watchOS 5.1.3 is a minor update that focuses on performance improvements and fixes for bugs discovered since the release of watchOS 5.1.2. We didn't find any changes during the watchOS 5.1.3 beta testing period. Apple's release notes do not mention any new features or include information beyond the general "this update includes improvements and bug fixes" statement.

The prior update watchOS update, watchOS 5.1.2, introduced the long-awaited ECG feature for the Apple Watch Series 4, allowing Apple Watch owners to take single-lead electrocardiograms to detect atrial fibrillation, which can be a sign of serious health problems.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

apple watch series 11 pink

Apple Starts Selling Refurbished Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

Friday June 5, 2026 2:14 pm PDT by
Apple is now selling refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 at discounted prices. This is the first time the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 have been available through Apple's online refurbished store since the devices launched last September. Refurbished pricing on the 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $369, down from $429, while ...
Apple Watch Series 9 Pink Aluminum Feature

watchOS 27 Drops Support for Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra 1, SE 2, and Older

Monday June 8, 2026 11:37 am PDT by
Apple today confirmed that watchOS 27 will not support the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra (first generation), or Apple Watch SE (second generation), effectively drawing a line at devices equipped with the S9 or S10 chip. The only Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 27 are the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and SE 3. The cuts are the biggest...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 Mistakenly Left Off watchOS 27 Compatibility List

Monday June 8, 2026 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 9 is compatible with watchOS 27, after the device was mistakenly omitted from the software's official compatibility page. Apple updated its website immediately following its WWDC 2026 keynote, and the watchOS 27 page listed a shorter compatibility list than many users expected: the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. ...

Top Rated Comments

testcard Avatar
97 months ago
It does for me at least seem to be better in 5.1.3. It's all in the flick of the wrist as you raise to your mouth.
When I give the wrist a little flick as raising to mouth it works. If I simply raise the watch to my mouth hit and miss.
Probably something I need to practise in private first :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
97 months ago
apple watch updates are always welcome.. best apple product out there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gwhizkids Avatar
97 months ago
Ok. @Applesupport was able to help. Following the tips they gave me (see below) I’ve gotten Raise to Speak working about 75-80% of the time. The difference changer seems to be the speaking before the screen wakes up.

===========================
While there is no need for any flick of your wrist, we do have a few tips that can help more consistently activate Siri:

Make sure the Watch screen stays asleep until less than one or two seconds before the watch is at your mouth and start speaking. It is best to start with the screen asleep and at least ten inches lower than your mouth.

Bring the Watch up close to your mouth in one fluid motion without turning the wrist to wake the screen until the device is at your mouth.

Start speaking as soon as the watch is in position near the mouth instead of waiting to see the screen wake first.

Bring the watch closer to your mouth when speaking.

Try speaking a bit louder when making your request. Low volume or whispered requests are not expected to be loud enough to activate Siri.

Let us know if any of these tips help. een until the device is at your mouth.

Start speaking as soon as the watch is in position near the mouth instead of waiting to see the screen wake first.

Bring the watch closer to your mouth when speaking.

Try speaking a bit louder when making your request. Low volume or whispered requests are not expected to be loud enough to activate Siri.

Let us know if any of these tips help
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
97 months ago
Big thing here for me is Raise to use Siri. Worked once right after I installed the update but not since.
[emoji35]
Only works intermittently for me and no improvement with 5.1.3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burgman Avatar
97 months ago
That “improvements and bug fixes” line isn’t cute, it’s arrogant and disrespectful of the customer.
You must really go off on IOS app updates most use the same line. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
97 months ago
I don't think Apple is going to activate this functionality without some pretty big press releases in the affected countries. They are not going to sneak it in to a minor update and say nothing.
Yes, it'll be a fairly major announcement when this goes live in other countries.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)