How to Install watchOS 10 Beta: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you eager to test the latest features of watchOS 10, including the new widget UI, watch faces, and exercise options? This guide will walk you through installing the watchOS 10 beta for free.
Before you proceed, remember that beta versions may contain bugs and performance issues, so installing them on your main Apple Watch is not recommended. Apple suggests using the developer beta on a device dedicated to development purposes.
Step 1: Prepare for the Installation
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that once you install the watchOS 10 beta, you won’t be able to roll back to watchOS 9. With that in mind, let’s proceed.
Step 2: Check Eligibility and Sign In
Ensure that your Apple Watch is compatible with watchOS 10. The update supports Apple Watch Series 4 and later and requires an iPhone XS/XR or later. If you meet the requirements, sign in with your Apple ID on the developer.apple.com page to access the beta.
Step 3: Back Up Your Apple Watch
Back up your Apple Watch data, which is done automatically when you back up your iPhone. Remember that Apple doesn’t allow downgrading from watchOS 10 to watchOS 9, so it’s essential to have a backup in case of any issues.
Step 4: Install the watchOS 10 Beta
Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Go to the “My Watch” tab at the bottom and select “General.” From there, tap on “Software Update.” If you don’t see the watchOS 10 beta option immediately, sign in with your Apple ID on the developer.apple.com page and try again. Once you see the watchOS 10 beta, select “Download and Install.“
Step 5: Ensure Proper Conditions for Installation
Before proceeding, ensure your Apple Watch is placed on its charger, within range of your iPhone, and connected to Wi-Fi. The installation process will begin when both devices have a minimum charge of 50%.
Enjoy the watchOS 10 Beta
Congratulations! You have successfully installed the watchOS 10 beta on your Apple Watch. Now you can explore and test this update’s exciting new features and enhancements.
Remember, the watchOS 10 developer beta is currently available, with a public beta expected to arrive in July. Enjoy the latest watchOS experience and provide valuable feedback to help Apple refine and improve the final release.
How to install watchOS 10.1 beta without beta profile
In order to install the watchOS beta, you will first need to enroll the iPhone paired to your Apple Watch in the iOS beta and update to the latest iOS 17 beta.
Please note Apple Watch cannot be restored to previously-released OS versions once the beta is installed.
Turn on beta updates
For devices running watchOS 9.5 or later:
From the iPhone paired to your Apple Watch, go to the Apple Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and choose the watchOS 10.1 Developer Beta.
If you don’t see «watchOS 10.1 Developer Beta» option in Beta Updates, just go to the Apple Developer Center (developer.apple.com/account) and log in with your Apple ID. You don’t need to join the Apple Developer Program, just sign in then check again in Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
For devices running watchOS 9.4 or earlier:
- On your iPhone, tap on the «Install Profile» button below to download the watchOS 9 beta profile.
- After launching the profile, tap Apple Watch as the installation location and reboot when prompted.
Update your Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch will automatically receive the latest beta software if you have Automatic Updates turned on in the Software Update settings. To manually check for updates, go to the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Software Update.
To update the software on Apple Watch, you’ll need to:
- Make sure your Apple Watch has at least a 50 percent charge.
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- Keep your iPhone next to your Apple Watch to make sure they’re in range.
- Make sure your iPhone is running the latest beta.
In order to install the watchOS beta, you will first need to enroll the iPhone paired to your Apple Watch in the iOS beta and update to the latest iOS 17 beta.
Please note Apple Watch cannot be restored to previously-released OS versions once the beta is installed.
Turn on beta updates
From the iPhone paired to your Apple Watch, go to the Apple Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and choose the watchOS 10.1 Public Beta.
Your iPhone must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program in order to access the beta software.
Learn how to join the Apple Beta Software Program → For devices running watchOS 9.4 or earlier:
From the iPhone paired to your Apple Watch, go to BetaProfiles.dev to download the watchOS 9 Public beta profile (at the homepage, tap on the «Public» tab, and you will see the previous beta profiles).
Your iPhone will notify you when the profile has been downloaded. Go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, tap the profile and then tap “Install” and follow the onscreen instructions.
Update your Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch will automatically receive the latest beta software if you have Automatic Updates turned on in the Software Update settings. To manually check for updates, go to the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Software Update.
Provide Feedback
Once the beta is installed, it will come with a built-in Feedback Assistant app, which can be launched from the second page of your Home screen. When you come across an issue that needs addressing, send your feedback to Apple with Feedback Assistant.
How to install the watchOS 10 beta
Want to test out everything coming with the latest watchOS release like the new widgets UI, fresh watch faces, overhauled apps, new cycling and hiking capabilities, and more? Follow along for how to install watchOS 10 beta for free.
Apple revealed the new major version of watchOS at its June WWDC keynote and made the developer beta available to test on Apple Watch. Then the public beta arrived on July 12.
Below we’ll look at how to install the free watchOS developer beta.
Keep in mind running the beta may not be the best fit with your primary Apple Watch as bugs and performance issues can be common. But if you’re ok with the risks, it is possible to install the beta on any Series 4 or later Apple Watch.
Personally, I’ve been running the watchOS 10 beta for weeks and haven’t run into any major issues.
How to install watchOS 10 beta
Important: There is no way to downgrade to watchOS 9 after installing watchOS 10 beta.
- Apple has made both the developer beta and public beta free this year. If you don’t see the watchOS 10 beta show up with the steps below, you may need to sign in with your Apple ID at beta.apple.com (public) or developer.apple.com (dev) and then try again
- It’s always a good plan to backup your Apple Watch – this happens when you backup your iPhone – but keep in mind Apple doesn’t allow downgrades from watchOS 10 to 9
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone running iOS 17
- Make sure you’re on the My Watch tab at the bottom, choose General
- Tap Software Update at the top
- Now choose Beta Updates > watchOS 10 Public or Developer Beta (it may take a few moments to appear
- Tap Back and you should see watchOS 10 beta appear
- Choose Download and Install
- Reminder: put your Apple Watch on its charger, keep in range of your iPhone and on WiFi and the installation will happen when it’s at least 50% charged
Here’s how it looks to install watchOS 10 beta:
Are you eager to test out watchOS 10? What are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments!
How to download the watchOS 10 beta on your Apple Watch
Various watchOS 10 screens
Following an announcement in early June, watchOS 10 is now in public beta, meaning you can give it a try without jumping through too many hoops or spending any money – assuming you already have one of the best Apple Watch models compatible with the software.
And there’s a lot to try here, including interactive widgets, some redesigned apps, including World Clock and Activity, and upgrades to health and fitness features, such as improvements to cycling and hiking tracking, and an overhauled mindfulness app.
So there’s plenty to dig into, and while everyone will be able to do so in or around September when Apple pushes the finished watchOS 10 updates out, there’s no need to wait. So if you’d like to try these new features while they’re still cooking, here’s how to download the watchOS 10 beta on your Apple Watch.
Just note that being a beta this might not be completely stable, and is sure to have bugs, so bear that in mind before jumping on board. But hey, that’s what beta testing is for!
Steps for how to download the watchOS 10 beta
- Register on Apple’s beta site
- Head to General > Software Update in the Watch app
- Tap ‘Beta Updates’ then ‘watchOS 10 Public Beta’
- Go back to the previous screen and install the beta
Tools and requirements
- An Apple Watch 4 or later, or an Apple Watch SE / Apple Watch Ultra
- An iPhone XS, iPhone XR or later, running iOS 17
Step by step guide
1. Sign up for Apple’s betas
Before you can download the watchOS 10 beta you need to register for access to the betas, and you can do this from Apple’s beta site. Head there on the iPhone paired with your Apple Watch, and tap ‘Sign up’.
You’ll be prompted to log in to your Apple account and accept an agreement. Note that if you’ve previously signed up for Apple’s public betas, you should be able to skip this step.
2. Install the iOS 17 beta on your iPhone
watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 to function, which means that you need to install the iOS 17 beta if you want access to the watchOS 10 beta. We’ve got a full guide covering how to download the iOS 17 beta on your iPhone, so head there for in-depth details.
But in brief, once you’ve registered for betas (as above) you can go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone, and you should see a new ‘Beta Updates’ option. Select ‘iOS 17 Public Beta’, head back to the previous screen, and tap ‘Download and Install’.
3. Get your Apple Watch ready
Next, you need to prep your Apple Watch for the beta. This means making sure it’s running at least watchOS 9.4 (you can check this by opening the Watch app and heading to General > About, or General > Software Update, with the latter letting you download the latest non-beta version of watchOS if you’re not already running it.
Then, make sure your Apple Watch is connected to its charger, in range of the paired iPhone, and has Wi-Fi switched on. Your Apple Watch also needs to be charged to at least 50%.
4. Download the watchOS 10 beta
Now you’re ready to grab the watchOS 10 beta, and it’s a similar process to the iOS 17 beta. But instead of your phone’s main settings screen, you want to open the Watch app on your iPhone, and then head to General > Software Update.
You can alternatively find the beta by heading to Settings > General > Software Update on your Apple Watch itself.
In any case, here you should see a ‘Beta Updates’ option, so tap that, then tap ‘watchOS 10 Public Beta’, go back to the previous screen, and tap ‘Download and Install’. Then simply wait for the process to complete.
Final thoughts
(Image credit: Apple)
watchOS 10 is a hefty update, so don’t be surprised if it takes a while to download if you do choose to get the beta, but it’s worth considering whether you really want the beta or not anyway.
We’re expecting the finished version of watchOS 10 to land in or around September, so there’s not too long to wait, and if you do wait then you’ll avoid the bugs that are sure to be lurking in the beta version.
That said, this public beta should be more stable than earlier developer previews, and as we get closer to the finished release, we’ll likely see new watchOS 10 betas emerge with even more stability and polish.
If you are set on the beta, then you might also be interested in how to download the iPadOS 17 beta, and even if you explore all the new software now, Apple should still have some exciting things to show you in September, with the Apple Watch 9 and the iPhone 15 line both expected to land then too.