Apple Watch users eager to try out the latest features set to arrive on their smartwatch can enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program, which lets anyone run watchOS 9 months before the software is released to the public. The upcoming software upgrade was first announced in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference, an event primarily focused on developers and software. The full version is slated for release later this fall to compatible Apple Watch models alongside the company’s newest offerings in the smartwatch category. Though Apple makes improvements to watchOS year-round, the biggest changes are reserved for yearly upgrades. To test out these features early, the company provides the Apple Beta Software Program for users willing to accept the risks that come with running a pre-release software version.
The process of developing a new version of watchOS is complex, and is an ongoing effort, but it can be broken down into broad stages. Most of the work takes place behind the scenes before the newest software is even announced. After it is first announced at WWDC, a developer beta software program opens that is reserved exclusively for developers — but can be downloaded by anyone through third-party sites. This period is the most unstable release of the software version, and gives developers and ample amount of time to ensure their applications will continue to work with the next version of watchOS. The developer beta is the only pre-release version for a few weeks, and a public beta follows that anyone can download directly from Apple.
There are a few caveats to enrolling in the Apple Beta Software Program that apply exclusively to the Apple Watch. First, it is impossible to install the public beta of watchOS 9 without installing the public beta of iOS 16 on a paired iPhone. This complicates the decision to enroll in the beta program, because users both have to accept the risks that come with installing the beta on their iPhone and Apple Watch. While some users might have a spare Apple Watch to try out the features with little risk, it won’t be as useful if it isn’t paired to an iPhone used for daily use. Most importantly, Apple says that it is not possible to restore an Apple Watch on the public beta of watchOS 9 to a prior software version. This means that once the software is installed, the beta profile can be removed, but the software can only be overwritten by a new version of watchOS.
Install watchOS 9 Public Beta On Apple Watch
Before attempting to enroll in the public beta for watchOS 9, first follow the steps in this guide to install the public beta of iOS 16. By this point, the public beta should already be installed on the iPhone that is paired to the Apple Watch. The connected iPhone must be updated to the most recent public beta build to successfully install the public beta on an Apple Watch, so navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to make sure the iPhone is up to date and enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program. Since the public beta has already been installed on a connected iPhone, there is no need to re-enroll an Apple ID in the program. The user has accepted the risks associated with the program and agreed to the terms for iOS 16, and this applies for all beta software versions that are downloaded.
To install the public beta of watchOS 9, navigate to the enroll page on Apple’s website. On the iPhone that is paired to the Apple Watch, open the webpage and click the blue ‘Download Profile’ button. This will download the device configuration profile that is required to receive over-the-air public beta software updates, and the iPhone will let the user know once it is finished downloading. Then, find Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, and tap on the watchOS 9 beta software profile. Select ‘Install,’ and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the profile.
If automatic Apple Watch updates are enabled, the latest public beta versions will automatically be downloaded when the watch is connected to power and in range of the paired iPhone. If not, open the Apple Watch app on iPhone and navigate to General > Software Update to manually check for a software update. Though installing the public beta of watchOS 9 requires hefty commitment and can come alongside with bugs, crashes, and other serious issues, it might be the right choice for users willing to accept the risks. The pre-release Apple Watch software version will give users a taste of the features set to be released to the public later this fall.
