Apple launches 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 that was released in September. watchOS 7.3 comes more than a month after watchOS 7.2, an update that supported Apple Fitness +

“WatchOS 7.3 Update” can be downloaded for free through the iPhone’s dedicated Apple Watch app by going to General> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch must have at least 50% battery power, be placed in a charger, and be within reach of the “iPhone.”

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

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

With the update of watchOS 7.3, ECG functionality is expanding to Japan, Mayotte, the Philippines, and Thailand, while irregular heartbeat notifications are reaching Japan, Mayotte, the 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 that change throughout the day with the movement. The face also features black, red, green, and yellow color options along with a black / gray color option.

watchOS 7.3 also includes a bug fix for an issue that could cause the Control Center and Notification Center to not respond when Zoom is turned on, with the full release notes below:

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

– Unity watch face: inspired by the colors of the pan-African flag, the shapes change throughout the day as it moves, creating a unique face for you
– Walking time for Apple Fitness + subscribers: an audio experience in the Workout app, where guests share inspiring stories as you walk
– Application of ECG to Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines and Thailand
– Irregular heart rate notifications in Japan, Mayotte, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand
– Fix an issue where the Control Center and Notification Center may not respond when Zoom is turned on

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