Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets better, but iOS 18 has a bug

Key Points:

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 has new features: You can now listen to music and podcasts directly on your watch, use the Action button for more options, and detect sleep apnea.
• iOS 18 bug: A bug in Messages can cause the app to crash repeatedly if you reply to a shared watch face in a thread.
• Fix requires data loss: To fix the bug, you may need to delete the entire conversation, which means losing all messages and attachments.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Gets a Software Boost

While there’s no new Apple Watch Ultra model yet, the Ultra 2 is getting some exciting updates with watchOS 11. One of the biggest changes is the ability to play music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly on your watch. This means you don’t need to carry your phone or wear headphones to enjoy your favorite media.

The Action button on the Ultra 2 is also more powerful now. You can long-press it to access a list of different actions, making it easier to control your watch. Additionally, the Ultra 2 now has sleep apnea detection, which can help you track your sleep quality and identify potential issues.

iOS 18 Bug Can Cause Data Loss

Unfortunately, there’s a bug in iOS 18 that can cause the Messages app to crash repeatedly. If you reply to a shared watch face in a thread, the app might stop working. To fix this, you may need to delete the entire conversation, which means losing all your messages and attachments.

How to Avoid the Bug

To avoid this problem, it’s best to avoid replying to shared watch faces in threads for now. Apple is working on a fix, so hopefully, it will be available soon.

iOS 18 Makes Smart Home Control Easier

iOS 18 also brings some improvements to the Home app. You can now add and control Matter accessories without a home hub, making it easier to set up your smart home. This is a big step forward for smart home compatibility.