On April 2, Apple re-released the watchOS 11.4 official version after briefly withdrawing it. This version adds a new “break through silent mode” alarm function, which will trigger sound and vibration reminders even when silent mode is turned on.
Apple briefly released watchOS 11.4 on Monday and then suddenly withdrew it within two minutes. The update has now been put back on the shelves. The official did not explain the reason for the initial withdrawal, but confirmed that the version number is still 22T251. This is the first substantial function update of watchOS 11 since the launch of heavyweight features such as custom sports rings and health monitoring in September 2024.
The most significant change in this update is the addition of the “break through silent mode” alarm option. When users wear it while sleeping, even if silent mode is turned on, the alarm will force sound and tactile feedback, while the previous version only supports vibration reminders.
Another important upgrade is the expansion of Matter smart home protocol support, which can now control the start and stop, recharge, and switch cleaning modes of the sweeping robot through voice commands.
In terms of system optimization, Apple has fixed a number of underlying vulnerabilities and improved the stability of device operation. This type of routine maintenance is essential to ensure that new and old functions work together. The update also includes performance tuning for health functions such as training load tools developed for athletes.
To upgrade, you need to ensure that the Apple Watch has a battery level of ≥50% and is connected to Wi-Fi: on the watch side, you can complete it through Settings-General-Software Update; iPhone users need to use the Apple Watch app. As of press time, all compatible Apple Watch Series 4 and above models can obtain this update.
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