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 (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

zed1291 Avatar
61 months ago
Keep the same title, change the article body to just say "Don't."
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MickeyAlexander Avatar
61 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
61 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
61 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
61 months ago
Thank you! Can't wait to test!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdavis41 Avatar
61 months ago
Going to be honest, not liking the removal of force touch one bit thus far.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...