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
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.
    beta install

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

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

  13. 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.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy)

Top Rated Comments

zed1291 Avatar
zed1291
66 months ago
Keep the same title, change the article body to just say "Don't."
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MickeyAlexander Avatar
MickeyAlexander
66 months ago
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.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oscar_aa Avatar
oscar_aa
66 months ago

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.”
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oscar_aa Avatar
oscar_aa
66 months ago

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.”

https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/guide#watchos
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
max2 Avatar
max2
66 months ago
Thank you! Can't wait to test!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdavis41 Avatar
rdavis41
66 months ago
Going to be honest, not liking the removal of force touch one bit thus far.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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