Apple Seeds watchOS 4 Golden Master to Developers - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds watchOS 4 Golden Master to Developers

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM version) of watchOS 4 to developers following a beta testing period that saw the company release a total of eight betas. The golden master version of watchOS 4 represents the version of the software that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 19.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS 4 golden master 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 brings three new watch faces, including a dedicated Siri watch face that displays dynamic information unique to each individual user. There are new complications for Now Playing and Apple News, and an enhanced Workout app that supports High Intensity Interval Training and new swimming options.

GymKit, new in watchOS 4, lets the Apple Watch interface with gym equipment for workout data sharing purposes, and the Activity app has been updated to provide intelligent coaching, monthly activity challenges, and tailored workout encouragement.

Starting a workout is faster than ever with a new Quickstart interface, there's a new look for Apple Music, and with under-the-hood improvements, third-party apps are faster than ever and can do more.

Apple plans to release watchOS 4 to the public on Tuesday, September 19, three days ahead of when the new Apple Watch Series 3 will be available to consumers.

For more on what's new in watchOS 4, make sure to check out our watchOS 4 roundup.

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

BaggieBoy Avatar
113 months ago
Is this not a public beta?
There isn't (and probably never will be) a public beta for watchOS.

If you are not a developer, you will have to wait until the official release.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
Just installed the GM. I'm not seeing the new HR monitor functionality nor am I seeing the red arms on the faces (assuming this is for LTE only).

Has anyone on WatchOS 4 been able to get the watch to sync to fitness equipment yet?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
realpras Avatar
113 months ago
Yup I've had the beta profile installed for weeks, updated my phone to GM but I can't see any update past OS 3 on the watch.
same here, just updated to iOS 11 with no problem but no watchOS 4 for me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
midkay Avatar
113 months ago
The heart rate capabilities were the best part. I liked the in depth Monitoring aspect.
Agree, really looking forward to having this kind of unique data the watch collects better exposed and proactively monitored. A great idea.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
The heart rate capabilities were the best part. I liked the in depth Monitoring aspect.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)