Apple is making watchOS 7 available through public beta starting today. For the first time, Apple has released a public beta for its smartwatches that you can try before the final release. It joins several operating systems that Apple currently has in public preview, including iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur.
We’ll walk you through getting the new software on your Apple Watch.
Things to know about watchOS 7 before installing beta
Before you begin, you compulsory To get the watchOS 7 beta software, download the iOS 14 public beta preview on your iPhone and follow the instructions here to do so. watchOS 7 beta requires using a phone with the latest beta software and you need to follow the steps below from that iPhone.
Now, more about the actual software. Apple’s watchOS 7 for Apple Watch brings the much-anticipated sleep tracking feature along with a redesigned Fitness app that supports more movement types, including dance. Regarding sleep monitoring, it will apparently let you set a bedtime and wake up alarm, and a new Wind Reduction mode will work with your iPhone to activate smart home presets to start snoozing notifications and put you in a more relaxed mood.
To name a few more highlights, the new watchOS 7 update will support bike directions and watch faces can now receive richer combinations of complications. The software can also automatically detect hand washing (with motion and water sound) and start a timer for you.
Image: Apple
Can my Apple Watch run watchOS 7?
The new watchOS 7 software is not available on every Apple Watch model. Specifically, Apple has discontinued major software updates for Series 1 and 2 watches. This public beta is only available for Series 3 or newer smartwatches.
How to download watchOS 7 beta
- First, you need to make sure your iPhone is running the iOS 14 public beta, so follow these instructions if you need to catch up. (Note: Also need To perform the following steps from the iPhone your Apple Watch is paired with.)
- If you’re not signed in to Apple’s beta portal on your iPhone, you can: login now, but make sure you are using the Safari web browser. A reader reported that a required prompt does not appear if you are using Google Chrome.
- On Apple’s Public Betas Guide page, click the rightmost option, “watchOS.” From here, click the drop-down menu at the top of the page and select “Register Your Devices”.
- The next step is to download the beta profile for your Apple Watch from your iPhone. As stated on the site, you can enable this downloaded profile by opening Settings > General > Profiles and Device Management. When you find this new profile, click “Install”.
- If your Apple Watch has automatic updates turned on, you’ll be notified that the public beta software is available for download via the Watch app on iPhone. Otherwise, to manually check for the update, open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Software Update from General to start the installation.
Update 5:30 PM ET Aug 10: Updated one step to indicate that you must perform these steps from an iPhone using the Safari web browser. A reader noted that Google Chrome failed to provide a prompt required to complete the installation.
