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Watch OS2 beta stability
- Thread starter AngusW
- Start date
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DON'T.
I've got watchOS 2 Beta 3 and it is very unstable (more stable than the previous 2 betas, but still unstable).
Problems pairing.
Lag issues (animations aren't smooth at all).
Problems syncing information (it wouldn't receive my messages from iMessage).
Heart monitor sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.
Most important, you can't downgrade to stable watchOS 1.0.1 after upgrade - so if you run to any problems and want to downgrade... you can't. Also, once you upgrade to watchOS 2 Beta you will be stuck with iOS9 beta as well (as you need it to run your watch).
I wouldn't upgrade until Beta 4. I believe it could be out either today, tomorrow, or maybe early next week.
I've got watchOS 2 Beta 3 and it is very unstable (more stable than the previous 2 betas, but still unstable).
Problems pairing.
Lag issues (animations aren't smooth at all).
Problems syncing information (it wouldn't receive my messages from iMessage).
Heart monitor sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.
Most important, you can't downgrade to stable watchOS 1.0.1 after upgrade - so if you run to any problems and want to downgrade... you can't. Also, once you upgrade to watchOS 2 Beta you will be stuck with iOS9 beta as well (as you need it to run your watch).
I wouldn't upgrade until Beta 4. I believe it could be out either today, tomorrow, or maybe early next week.
It is pretty stable for me (way better than beta 2). It is only for developers. There is no watchOS 2 public beta.
Stable? how so... Apple has disable two of the most important features of the watch. Apple Pay does not work, Heartrate does not work properly in Workout App. Other features like Siri dictation only works 1/2 the time. Sure it's stable if you don't use it for anything another than the time.
If you want your watch the function stay far far far away from any of the WatchOS betas
Beta 2 was crashing and restarting several times per day. Battery drain was horrendous. Now it is usable. 3rd party apps work again. Agreed it has a long way to go.
Hey,
So Beta 4 seems very snappy, apps open very fast, (even 3rd party - faster than with watchOS 1.0.1). There aren't graphical lag issues.
So far so good - I think it's good to update if you want to try it.
Still, keep in mind it's a beta and you may encounter some issues (I haven't encountered any so far... but who knows)...
So Beta 4 seems very snappy, apps open very fast, (even 3rd party - faster than with watchOS 1.0.1). There aren't graphical lag issues.
So far so good - I think it's good to update if you want to try it.
Still, keep in mind it's a beta and you may encounter some issues (I haven't encountered any so far... but who knows)...
Don't do it... Not worth it. Beta 3 ran ok but my watch bricked updating from beta 3 to beta 4. I wouldn't recommend updating until final release, honestly.
I guess I'm the odd man out. Beta 3 rocked for me. Apple Pay didn't work which was my only call out.
Beta 4 seems really stable, and Apple Pay works again.
I'd say if you don't mind minor issues go ahead and update! Mine doesn't lag, or have connectivity issues.
Remember there's no way to downgrade yourself, so if you have any apprehensions I'd wait.
Beta 4 seems really stable, and Apple Pay works again.
I'd say if you don't mind minor issues go ahead and update! Mine doesn't lag, or have connectivity issues.
Remember there's no way to downgrade yourself, so if you have any apprehensions I'd wait.
Betas 1-3 were dreadful for me. Siri never worked, Timers/Alarms on betas 2 and 3 did not work, and overall it was very laggy and unresponsive. Beta 4 is actually pretty stable for me. The only thing is it takes Siri a little while to pop up when I hold down the Digital Crown, and she almost never pops up when I use "Hey, Siri." So my Siri experience isn't so great.
IMO, watchOS 2 beta (especially 4) is usable and stable enough. As to be expected, iPhone pairing is sometimes flaky, battery life is worse (I would say about 25% faster drain), and there are some lags.
The main reason not to upgrade is fairly minor set of visible features. Nightstand, colored complications, time travel, favorite groups, email reply, and new watch faces are nice enough additions to be sure, but feels more like something that could be added to 1.x releases.
But the real benefit, native 3rd party apps, won't apply to you until watchOS 2 is released to the wild this fall, and updated 3rd party apps with it.
The main reason not to upgrade is fairly minor set of visible features. Nightstand, colored complications, time travel, favorite groups, email reply, and new watch faces are nice enough additions to be sure, but feels more like something that could be added to 1.x releases.
But the real benefit, native 3rd party apps, won't apply to you until watchOS 2 is released to the wild this fall, and updated 3rd party apps with it.
Sorry, but just have to say, installing beta software is in no way an "upgrade". Unless you specifically need it, have endless time to burn jerking around with gadgets, or enjoy flogging yourself, that is.
But you can purchase developer licenses which I do have one for my phone (don't use it anymore now that Public Beta actually works) but that license is still active which is why I was asking. So far I'm not seeing many negatives for my personal usage.