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

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 4 update to developers, a little over one week after seeding the third beta and over a month after introducing the new update at its 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 needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS 4 features three new watch faces, including a dedicated Siri watch face that displays dynamic information unique to each individual and is perhaps the most significant new feature in the update. There are also new complications for Now Playing and Apple News, and an enhanced Workout app that supports High Intensity Interval Training and new swimming options.

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.

Many other small tweaks and changes have been introduced, all of which are outlined in our dedicated watchOS 4 roundup.

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 sees an official release in the fall to try it out.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

121 months ago
Still crazy to me that MR makes 4 separate posts for the Beta releases Lol.
Because they are completely unrelated and it makes sense to have discussions pertaining to the topic for that specific Beta separated. It would be confusing to have all the beta's discussed in one thread regarding a beta and it's makes it easier for discussion with others regarding the same topic.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
121 months ago
Looks like you no longer need to plug in the watch for updates. It now says it just requires 50% charge.
I think it's "said" that for a long time, but won't do install unless it's on a charger.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
121 months ago
Looks like you no longer need to plug in the watch for updates. It now says it just requires 50% charge.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newyorksole Avatar
121 months ago
Still crazy to me that MR makes 4 separate posts for the Beta releases Lol.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
121 months ago
And "Unable to Check for Update" fest continues.

As with beta 3, it seems the best thing to do is wait for the red "1" badge to appear next to Apple Watch app on its own.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gwhizkids Avatar
121 months ago
This update process is really, really messed up. I finally got the download (numerous restarts, airplane mode, repairing, etc...) and now its stuck on "Preparing". Not Apple's finest moment here...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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