How to install the watchOS 7 public beta on your Apple Watch

Apple is today making iOS 7 available through public beta. It’s the first time Apple has released a public beta for its smartwatches that you can try before the final release. It joins a few other operating systems that Apple currently has in the public preview, including iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur.

We’ll walk you through getting the new software on your Apple Watch.

What to know about watchOS 7 before installing the beta

Before you even begin, you have to install the iOS 14 public beta preview on your iPhone to get the watchOS 7 beta software, and you can follow instructions to do so here. The watchOS 7 beta requires you to use a phone with the latest beta software, and you need to follow the steps below from that iPhone.

Now, more on the actual software. Apple’s watchOS 7 for Apple Watch brings the much-anticipated sleep tracking feature, along with a redesigned Fitness app that supports more types of movement, including dancing. Regarding sleep tracking, it will apparently be able to set you a bedtime and alarm clock, and a new Wind Down mode will work with your iPhone to start sneaking notifications and activating preset smart home to help you in a more relaxed mood.

To name a few more highlights, the new watchOS 7 update will support cycling directions, and watchfaces can now get richer complication combinations. The software can also detect automatic hand washing (by movement and the sound of water) and start a timer for you.

Image: Apple

Can my Apple Watch watchOS 7 run?

The new watchOS 7 software is not available on every Apple Watch model. Notably, Apple has released major software updates for the Series 1 and 2 watches. This public beta is only available on Series 3 as newer smartwatches.

How to download watchOS 7 beta

• First, you need to make sure your iPhone is running the public beta of iOS 14, so follow these instructions when you need to catch up. (Note: You will too need to perform the following steps from the iPhone to which your Apple Watch is paired.)
• If you are not logged in to Apple’s beta portal on your iPhone, you can log in directly here.
• Click “watchOS”, the most popular option on the right Apple’s Guide to Public Betas page. From there, click the drop-down menu at the top of the page and select “Register your devices.”
• The next step is to download the beta profile for your Apple Watch from your iPhone. If the site mentions it, you can enable this download profile by going to Settings> General> Profiles & Device Management. Once you find that new profile, click “Install.”
• If your Apple Watch automatic updates are enabled, you will receive notification that the public beta software is ready for download via Watch app on iPhone. Otherwise, to manually check for the update, open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap on My Watch, and then navigate from General to Software Update to begin the installation.