Apple Seeds Third watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 Developer Betas

[MacRumors]

Apple today provided developers with the third betas of watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 for testing purposes, with the betas coming two weeks after the second betas were released.

The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on each device. A developer account is required.

watchOS 26 adopts new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. watchOS has a new AI-powered Workout Buddy for motivation and the Smart Stack incorporates more personal context for better suggestions. There's also a new Notes app and support for Live Translation.

visionOS 26 adds support for spatial widgets that can be placed anywhere in the space around you, along with refinements to make personas more lifelike and support for shared spatial experiences between two Vision Pro users.

The third watchOS 26 beta should address an issue that affected Hermes Apple Watch models, causing them to overheat and crash. Apple has not yet seeded a third tvOS 26 beta.

The betas are limited to developers right now, but watchOS 26 will be available to public beta in the near future. The updates will launch in the fall.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Third watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 Developer Betas

 

[TheHeron]

Interesting grouping of announcements.

watchOS is used a LOT more than the niche headgear.

 

[newtestleper]

Interesting grouping of announcements.

watchOS is used a LOT more than the niche headgear.

I use visionOS a LOT more than watchOS, because I don't have an Apple Watch.

 

[dumastudetto]

The revolution will be strapped to my wrist. Let’s go!

 

[Exeterwayne]

I use visionOS a LOT more than watchOS, because I don't have an Apple Watch.

Is the Jupiter environment active in this new beta?

 

[Acidsplat]

Hoping it fixes the issue I had on beta 2 of my Vision Pro OS crashing when putting it on after sleeping

 

[HailstormX]

Excited for Vision OS 26. Just picked up a used AVP and totally loving it.

 

[DaveMcM76]

here's hoping watchOS beta 3 fixes some the horrendous battery drain from beta 2. I expect some added battery drain from a beta and 26 beta 1 did increase battery drain over 18.5 but beta 2 took it to a whole other level.

 

[kitt9000]

here's hoping watchOS beta 3 fixes some the horrendous battery drain from beta 2. I expect some added battery drain from a beta and beta 1 did increase battery drain over 18.5 but beta 2 took it to a whole other level.

Also hope it fixes the inability for Hermes watches to pair to IOS 26, which broke functionality in IOS26 beta 2

 

[newtestleper]

Is the Jupiter environment active in this new beta?

Negative.

 

[DaveMcM76]

Also hope it fixes the inability for Hermes watches to pair to IOS 26, which broke functionality in IOS26 beta 2

I've just got a plain old series 10 but I did read about that and was quite surprised they didn't release an updated beta 2 with a fix as they've done similar in the past for betas which fundamentally break things. I guess their metrics show that not that many people are running the beta on an Hermes watch for them to have bothered. If I read it correctly at the time wasn't the issue only apparent when one of the Hermes exclusive faces was being used, so a possible workaround was to use a "standard" watch face? I may be misremembering.

 

[212rikanmofo]

Interesting grouping of announcements.

watchOS is used a LOT more than the niche headgear.

I never even touch my apple watch. But I do use my vision pro every single day.

 

[212rikanmofo]

The revolution will be strapped to my wrist. Let’s go!

you mean implanted into your brain. Mark of the beast.

 

[5.ohhh]

i been trying to download the latest beta and the checking for update circle just spins. I am currently on beta 2 and using a uw2. I successfully update my iPhone and iPad from beta 2. Is anyone else experiencing issues?

 

[DblHelix]

Downloading now hoping the major issues with the Hermes models is fixed.

 

[DaveMcM76]

i been trying to download the latest beta and the checking for update circle just spins. I am currently on beta 2 and using a uw2. I successfully update my iPhone and iPad from beta 2. Is anyone else experiencing issues?

I don’t know if there isn’t an issue with some of the rollouts. My iPhone and watch series 10 saw the update straight away but my iPad Air needed several attempts and a reboot before it could see it. And loads of people are reporting that macOS Tahoe beta 3 isn’t still showing up several hours after release, something I’m experiencing on my M1 Mac mini

 

[DblHelix]

Watch app no longer crashing. Will update watchOS and fingers crossed all Hermes issues resolved.

 

[ShawnyRHarvey]

Anyone experiencing some contacts not synchronizing onto their watch? I’ve had that issue with beta 2 and beta 3.

 

[basalt5750]

I was only able to update and fix my Hermes watch by sandwiching it in ice-packs while downloading and updating, it took over 2 hours but succeeded.