This free Apple Watch update lets you race yourself like Mario Kart

watchOS 9.2 for Apple Watch is great

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Apple Watchusers (at least, those onAppleWatch Series 4 or later) are about to get a slew of new features as watchOS 9.2 has been rolled out and is now available for download.

This free update to Apple’s latest iteration of the wearableoperating systemhas a slew of new stuff, including updated workout algorithms, patches for a couple of existing bugs, and a new Race Route tool for runners, cyclists and wheelchair athletes using one of ourbest Apple Watchentries. We’ll show you how to get the new features in a moment, but first, let’s run down the list of features available.

The Race Route tool is watchOS 9.2’s version ofGarmin’s Pace Pro tool, orMarioKart’s “ghost” character that replicates your previous performance on the track, allowing you to race against your previous times. This lets you compete against your previous performances when selecting Outdoor Run, Outdoor Cycle, and Outdoor Wheelchair workouts.

Why would you want this? Well, if you’re training for an event, it’s an excellent way to push yourself on the same course each time, as your watch feeds you regular updates if you’re dropping behind or pulling ahead of your previous time. Let’sa-go!

There’s also a new custom Kickboxing algorithm in the Workout app for “more accurate metrics”.  Kickboxing has previously been lumped in with the “Other” aerobic workout type within Apple Watch’s workout profiles, and this is measured in the same basic language as other disciplines: heart rate, calories burned, and so on. As a former kickboxer, I’m fascinated to see whether the new update includes specialist metrics suitable for a bag workout or even a sparring session, such as the ability to distinguish between “rounds.” I’ll be testing it at the earliest opportunity.

Your Apple Watch will, among a host of other patches and fixes, also stop interrupting you with notifications during mindfulness sessions, which is great to hear. The full list of changes can be found below, as seen onApple.com:

How to get the watchOS 9.2 update on your Apple Watch

To start with, you need to have both iOS 16.2 or later installed on your iPhone, and an Apple Watch that can support watchOS 9. That’s going to be most people, but just for clarity’s sake, you’ll need one of the below models to make it work:

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Make sure your Apple Watch is charged to 50% capacity or more, and head to your iPhone’s Apple Watch app to begin the update. Choose My Watch > General > Software Update to install. Alternatively, if your watch is connected to WiFi, you can update directly on your watch by navigating through Settings > General > Software Update.

Apple Watch’s running metrics are excellent, especially with watchOS 9 providing features such as on-wrist running power, which is normally only achievable with a heart rate monitor on other watches. However, at the time of writing, only the Apple Watch Ultra has made it onto our list of thebest running watchesever.

Matt is TechRadar’s expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men’s Health, he holds a Master’s Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner’s World, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt’s a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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