Trying watchOS beta without registered developer account

[R740]

Hello all,

I know there is a way to install the latest beta on the Apple Watch without a registered Apple Developer account, but I am wondering if the Watch bricks during the installation/using process of the beta, does Apple freely repair ('rebrick') the Watch, or do they check if the owner's Apple ID is registered to the Developer program?

Thank you

 

[Julien]

You have to pay.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

You DO NOT have to pay to have the watch restored. Apple will send it to the depot to have the current live WatchOS installed. The watch does not brick itself during the install of the beta. Apple no longer checks for dev accounts.

 

[Rok73]

You DO NOT have to pay to have the watch restored. Apple will send it to the depot to have the current live WatchOS installed. The watch does not brick itself during the install of the beta. Apple no longer checks for dev accounts.

Ok, I'm that guy: Do you have a reliable source for what you're stating?

 

[ISKOTB]

I sent mine to Apple for a replacement https://goo.gl/jBeMFo

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

Ok, I'm that guy: Do you have a reliable source for what you're stating?

There is no source other than it’s pretty common knowledge that Apple no longer checks UDID or charges to reinstall live WatchOS from beta.

 

[SoN1NjA]

Ok, I'm that guy: Do you have a reliable source for what you're stating?

Owning an Apple Watch is the source, or just reading any of the recent post in this forum

 

[Jimmyjamh]

I’ve downloaded os4 without a dev account. I couldn’t resist having a play. Installed without any trouble at all. No delays, no hanging, only took 50 mins. I was aware that it could go pear shaped at any minute.

 

[Gjwilly]

I was selling my watch and the buyer requested that I downgrade it from the beta back to the stock OS.
Apple told me that the downgrade was free but shipping back and forth was not.
And the shipping is required because the downgrade is not something that can be done in-store.
They did waive the shipping fee but I wouldn't count on it always being waived.

 

[Neo1975]

Google it, you will find a profile that works. I wouldn’t though, in my experience the battery life is terrible.

 

[Jimmyjamh]

Battery life on this beta 4 has been very good for me so far. No problems using it as a daily driver at all. I get a tiny bit of lag every so often but no much so far.

 

[Neo1975]

Battery life on this beta 4 has been very good for me so far. No problems using it as a daily driver at all. I get a tiny bit of lag every so often but no much so far.

Battery life seems to be so inconsistent. Not many interactions today, Siri watch face, put on at 07:00, completely dead at 16:00.

 

[csurfr]

Battery life seems to be so inconsistent. Not many interactions today, Siri watch face, put on at 07:00, completely dead at 16:00.

You are correct on that one. I have been using an activity face since about 9am PST right now @ 4:15 I'm at 79%. I've also noticed that both Siri and Modular watch faces take a long time to "raise to wake" whereas my activity face does not.

 

[Jimmyjamh]

Battery life seems to be so inconsistent. Not many interactions today, Siri watch face, put on at 07:00, completely dead at 16:00.

I must be lucky then. I’ve had no issues at all so far.