Apple Seeds Second Beta of New watchOS 4 Operating System to Developers - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds Second Beta of New watchOS 4 Operating System to Developers

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 4 update to developers, a little over two weeks after its introduction at the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the watchOS 4 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.


watchOS 4 introduces three new watch faces, including a dedicated Siri watch face that displays dynamic information unique to each individual. There are complications for Now Playing and Apple News, and an enhanced Workout app that supports High Intensity Interval Training.

Gymkit, a new technology platform, will let the Apple Watch interface with gym equipment for workout data sharing purposes, and the Activity app will offer up intelligent coaching and tailored workout encouragement along with new monthly activity challenges.

watchOS 4 is only available to developers and will not be provided to public beta testers, so non-developers will need to wait until the software is officially released in the fall to try it out.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

youtube iphone apple watch health ad 2026

New Apple Ad Sells the iPhone and Apple Watch Health Pairing

Thursday April 23, 2026 11:18 am PDT by
Apple has published a new ad to appeal to customers in the market for an iPhone and Apple Watch pairing, highlighting the insights it can offer for your health. Titled simply "Health with iPhone + Apple Watch," the half-minute ad focuses on a woman waiting in line at a cafe who begins receiving unsolicited health and fitness advice from other people in the queue, as well as local residents,...
watchos 26 gradient light

This New Apple Watch Face Is Coming in watchOS 26.5

Friday April 24, 2026 5:51 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5 will have a new Pride Luminance wallpaper and Apple Watch face when the updates are released in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a brief tweet, Gurman revealed that Pride Luminance will "Celebrate the vibrancy and individuality of the LGBTQ+ community and customize your watch face with colors from Pride flags." iOS 26.5 has been in...
modular ultra training load

watchOS 27 to Offer New Watch Faces, Including 'Modular Ultra' Variant

Monday May 4, 2026 5:58 am PDT by
For watchOS 27, Apple is testing new Apple Watch faces, and one of them is a simpler version of an existing Apple Watch Ultra watch face that could be coming to standard Series models. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is testing multiple new faces for watchOS 27, code-named "Orchid." One of them is said to be a "simplified take" on the...

Top Rated Comments

scwinsett Avatar
116 months ago
You’re joking right? o_O
You've clearly never worked in Tech Support
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
116 months ago
Time is snappier.
That's a shame. Time already feels like it keeps on slipping slipping slipping slipping into the future.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
I would gladly install this beta, but my watch app refuses to acknowledge that is in fact has an internet connection. Does anyone have any idea of how to fix this?
Keep trying. I got it working after 5 or so attempts
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mudflap Avatar
116 months ago
What are your thoughts on the latest os?
Time is snappier.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoN1NjA Avatar
116 months ago
First question any true tech supporter must ask: Are you using an Apple Watch?
You’re joking right? o_O
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
116 months ago
It remedied itself for me. Likely a server issue that's in repopulating mode.
Cheers, will persevere. Shame it takes longer to install a watch OS update than it does to gestate a baby.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)