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Apple doesn't normally release a public beta of its upcoming Apple Watch software, but with watchOS 7, the company appears to have had a change of heart. That means anyone with a compatible Apple Watch can get a taste of the latest new Apple Watch features, such as sleep tracking, new watch faces, watch face sharing, new workout types, and more.

watchOS7-hands-on-feature2.jpg

Before you rush to install the watchOS 7 public‌ beta, it's worth remembering that this is pre-release software, so don't expect things to work 100 percent trouble-free. Apple has released relatively stable beta versions of its operating systems this year, but beta software is inherently unstable, as it contains bugs and issues that have yet to be ironed out.

Another thing to note before installing the beta is that watchOS 7 completely removes the Force Touch gesture from the operating system, so expect a slightly different experience for some functions and menus. Also, bear in mind that there's no way to downgrade to watchOS 6 after installing the watchOS 7 beta.

watchOS 7 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 3, 4, and 5. If you have one of those models, here's how you can install the watchOS 7 public beta.

How to Install the watchOS 7 Public Beta

You need to be running the iOS 14 beta on the iPhone that your Apple Watch is paired with. Follow our walkthrough guide on how to do that, then come back and follow these steps.
  1. Open a browser on your iPhone and navigate to the Apple Beta Software Program website.
  2. Tap the chevron in the top-right corner of the webpage and select Sign In from the dropdown menu.
  3. Enter your Apple ID credentials.
  4. A Guide for Public Betas screen will appear. Select the watchOS tab, scroll down to the Get Started section and tap enroll your Apple Watch.
  5. Scroll down and tap Download Profile.
    1how-to-install-watchos-7-beta.jpg

    Follow the onscreen instructions to install the watchOS 7 public beta.
  6. Tap Allow in the prompt to download the beta profile to your iPhone.
  7. Tap Install in the top-right corner of the screen and enter your passcode if required.
    3how-to-install-watchos-7-beta.jpg

    Read the consent information, then tap Install two more times.
  8. Tap Restart if prompted to restart your iPhone.
  9. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
  10. Select General -> Software Update.
    2how-to-install-watchos-7-beta.jpg

    After a few moments, you should see watchOS 7 available to download. Place your Apple Watch on its charger and tap Download and Install.
After a few minutes your Apple Watch will restart with the new watchOS public beta running.


Click here to learn more about some of the new features of watchOS 7.

Article Link: How to Install the watchOS 7 Public Beta on Apple Watch
 
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Also, bear in mind that there's no way to downgrade to watchOS 6 after installing the watchOS 7 beta.

This isn’t true. You can send in your watch for a software downgrade via mail-in or depot repair. Software service for watches are free regardless of warranty status, just happens at the depot.
 
The trouble with trying out the beta software on the watch, is that you have no personal recourse if the software somehow bricks the device—which, as we know, has happened even with official releases. Fixing the software requires sending the thing in to Apple, which is horribly inconvenient with a piece of tech you wear daily. It’s too bad Apple doesn’t (or can’t?) enable some sort of emergency data troubleshooting access using the charging cable.
 
This isn’t true. You can send in your watch for a software downgrade via mail-in or depot repair. Software service for watches are free regardless of warranty status, just happens at the depot.

all true, but a big difference from the experience with iOS public betas and it should be highlighted in the article. Eg “be aware that there is no way for the public to downgrade from watchOS public beta. If you decide to downgrade, you must make a service request at a depot or use mail-in repair.”
 
all true, but a big difference from the experience with iOS public betas and it should be highlighted in the article. Eg “be aware that there is no way for the public to downgrade from watchOS public beta. If you decide to downgrade, you must make a service request at a depot or use mail-in repair.”

I'm curious if there is an official disclaimer by Apple. If not, it would be highly irresponsible of them not to. Especially since it's a public beta and it's intended to illicit feedback.
 
I'm curious if there is an official disclaimer by Apple. If not, it would be highly irresponsible of them not to. Especially since it's a public beta and it's intended to illicit feedback.

It’s the very last sentence on the beta program’s watchOS page. All the more reason to highlight it in the article.

“Please note Apple Watch cannot be restored to previously-released OS versions once the public beta is installed.”

 
Well don't bother if you have a series 3 watch. Its says it can't install unless there is 3.2 gigs free.

I've deleted all apps, no photos, music, podcasts, email or anything else on the standard, undeleteable apps, and it only has 2.8 gigs free and won't install.
 
Bizarre of them to offer this at all. They've never offered public beta of watchOS before for good reason. But I guess they figure at some point people have to install it so they might as well do it now with a limited set of the public instead of all at once on release day with the entire public.
 
Well don't bother if you have a series 3 watch. Its says it can't install unless there is 3.2 gigs free.

I've deleted all apps, no photos, music, podcasts, email or anything else on the standard, undeleteable apps, and it only has 2.8 gigs free and won't install.
I had the same issue. I ended up unpairing and re-pairing the watch to my phone then set it up as a new watch. It installed after that.
 
iPhone Xs Max w/iOS 14 public beta 4, Watch 4 (cellular) w/watchOS 7 public beta release installed for ~22 hours now. WatchOS 7 took a bit to install, but finally finished. No un-pair then re-pair necessary. Few minor UI or app sync issues (Deezer, Dark Sky), but no reboots or force quits I've seen. FWIW, quite possibly a placebo effect, but Watch battery life seems really nice in my setup. Overnight seemed less drain than usual. Started paying better attention. Today, 1% drain in 3 hours....
 
Installed on Series 4 (Wifi). Runs like a charm and is definitely faster than watchOS 6. Drains more battery, but so far no other problems.
 
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Well don't bother if you have a series 3 watch. Its says it can't install unless there is 3.2 gigs free.

I've deleted all apps, no photos, music, podcasts, email or anything else on the standard, undeleteable apps, and it only has 2.8 gigs free and won't install.
You will need to wipe the watch and set up as new. After that, you will be able to install the beta.
 
Fixing the software requires sending the thing in to Apple, which is horribly inconvenient with a piece of tech you wear daily.
The Apple Watch is actually the device where I care the least about this: In contrast to an iPhone, iPad or Mac, there is nothing productive I do with it, no functionality I really rely on. It’s just an accessory and if there are some issues with the beta, I wouldn’t mind putting it aside while waiting for the next build to hopefully fix it (or sending it in if I have to).
 
This isn’t true. You can send in your watch for a software downgrade via mail-in or depot repair. Software service for watches are free regardless of warranty status, just happens at the depot.

I sent my wife's AW2 in for a downgrade repair as my son wanted to use it on iPhone 6. They sent it back and said they can't downgrade it.
 
Well don't bother if you have a series 3 watch. Its says it can't install unless there is 3.2 gigs free.

I've deleted all apps, no photos, music, podcasts, email or anything else on the standard, undeleteable apps, and it only has 2.8 gigs free and won't install.
I have an iWatch 3 and had no issues installing it even without deleting all apps. If you reboot your iwatch you will get more free space. Overtime space gets filled with who knows what but after rebooting you should be fine (i had a few pictures, 4 apps and got more than 3.2 GB free so it installed OK).
 
This isn’t true. You can send in your watch for a software downgrade via mail-in or depot repair. Software service for watches are free regardless of warranty status, just happens at the depot.

or just delete the profile and wait for the next release it will shunt you back to 6.
 
WatchOS 7 has been a massive improvement in regards to speed and responsiveness. No longer does Siri take like thirty second to process a request, she just does it practically immediately.
 
Going to be honest, not liking the removal of force touch one bit thus far.

That’s one of the reasons I’m holding back from trying the Beta. I just don’t feel like it’s a good decision from a usability stand point. I definitely think they should allow people with watches that support the feature to use it. Gimping a piece of my hardware is not cool.
 
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