Apple Releases watchOS 7.6, Bringing ECG and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications to 30 New Regions - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Releases watchOS 7.6, Bringing ECG and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications to 30 New Regions

Apple today released watchOS 7.6, the sixth major update to the watchOS 7 operating system that was released in September 2020. watchOS 7.6 comes two months after the release of watchOS 7.5.

7
‌‌The watchOS 7.6 update‌‌ 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.

According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 7.6 update brings support for the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications to 30 additional regions.

No other new features were discovered during the beta testing process, and it's likely that watchOS 7.6 will be one of the final updates to the watchOS 7 operating system as Apple works to transition to watchOS 8.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...
ios 26 5 luminance colors 2

A Closer Look at watchOS 26.5's New Luminance Watch Face

Friday May 8, 2026 3:38 pm PDT by
With watchOS 26.5, Apple is introducing a Pride Luminance face, and it's one of the most versatile and customizable watch faces. There are pre-configured color options, but the face also supports custom colors. You can select 1 to 12 colors from a palette that has every color of the rainbow, some in-between shades, and black, white, brown, and gray. The colors you pick are distributed...
watchos 26 gradient light

Apple Releases watchOS 26.5 With New Pride Luminance Watch Face

Monday May 11, 2026 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 26.5, the fifth major update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.5 comes a month and a half after Apple released watchOS 26.4. watchOS 26.5 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.5 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the...

Top Rated Comments

64 months ago
The update now makes it possible to monitor air quality in Canada… and not a moment too soon: smoke from fires upwind of Montréal making our air very smoggy (AQI is 7 or “high risk”).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago

Is it still a hassle to upgrade in an s3...? (my guess is... yes.)
I really can't believe they still sell that trash.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RealPhone Avatar
64 months ago

I did that 2 times so far ... let me try again.

Edit: Nope. Toggled off an on again, confirmed code on the watch. Doesn't unlock with iPhone after taking it off and putting it on again.
Edit 2: Tried switching to "simple passcode" and turning passcode off completely and setting it up again. Still doesn't work via "unlock with iPhone".
I must confess that the behavior associated with unlocking the Watch with the iPhone is inconsistent. Works sometimes, in other cases not. Probably a bug.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
64 months ago
System 7.6, the irony.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Octavius8 Avatar
64 months ago
The update bricked my S6 with GPS!. The touch screen does not respond and since my watch has a password I cant use it!. The crown and button still work. A power cycle did not help!. Be aware...
3 hard resets and did not work, but tapping on the "i" in "My watch" section for some reason made the screen responsive again. Go figure... Happy camper now. :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Regbial Avatar
64 months ago
Is it still a hassle to upgrade in an s3...? (my guess is... yes.)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)