If you've noticed 'ghost touches' on your Apple Watch 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2 (where something happens on the watch without you touching the screen), installing the latest watchOS 10.4 update should be enough to fix the issue.
According to the update's release notes (via Wccftech), the watchOS 10.4 update fixes an issue “that causes some users to experience false touches on the screen.” It's rolling out now and, as usual, can be installed from your iPhone or from the watch itself.
We reported on the issue in February: While it was difficult to determine how widespread the issue really was, Apple received enough complaints about it to issue a memo to Apple Authorized Repair Shops about it.
According to the memo, these fake touches could cause calls to be accidentally initiated and prevent users from entering their password, so for those who were affected by the bug, it appears it had a substantial impact on the user experience.
Previous and future updates
Also included in watchOS 10.4 is the option to use a double tap to expand notifications on the smartwatch screen. There is additional security protection for those using Apple Pay with Assistive and a fix for contact syncing that some people were experiencing.
This is the eighth minor update issued by Apple since watchOS 10 appeared in September 2023, along with the latest Apple Watch models. Previous bug fixes have covered incorrect elevation readings and watch face synchronization issues.
The major release of watchOS 10 brought with it a major app redesign, smart stack widgets, updates for cycling and hiking workouts, and, as usual with watchOS updates, some new watch faces to use.
As for watchOS 11, the schedule should be the same this year as it is every year: a preview at Apple's WWDC event sometime in June, then public betas, before a final release in September (probably alongside the Apple Watch 10).
