Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 3 update to developers for testing purposes, roughly three weeks after first unveiling watchOS 3 at its 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference.
The second watchOS 3 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on an 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 Apple Watch charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 3 introduces significant changes to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. A new dock, accessible by pressing the side button, replaces Glances and houses 10 favorite first and third-party apps. Apps on the dock are kept continually up to date and are stored in memory for instant launching.
Activity Sharing options allow Apple Watch owners to share workout and activity information with friends, and there are new options for Wheelchair users. A Breathe app guides users through daily deep breathing sessions, an Apple Watch can unlock a Mac, and Apple has added apps for Reminders, Find My Friends, and accessing one's heartbeat.
Watch faces support more complications, there are three new watch faces to choose from, including a new Activity watch face, and an SOS feature will make sure an option to get help in an emergency is always right at your fingertips. On the iPhone, there's a new Face Gallery for customizing Apple Watch faces, and watchOS 3 allows the Apple Watch to be located via Find My iPhone.
For full details on the new features coming in watchOS 3, which will be released to the public this fall, make sure to check out our watchOS 3 roundup.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Ugh. I'm not a fan of glances, but not happy they've removed it. I used it to easily swipe up and see the music playing from on my phone to easily pause/ffwd/change volume. Is this ability now more work to get to or removed completely?
Just keep the music app as one of your permanent dock items and it'll always be there at just a click of the side button.I wish they had a public beta. :(
I hope not a heartbeat. Remember, you can't revert OS upgrades for the watch if something goes wrong, unless you take it to the Apple store and have it sent out for help.I'd update it in a heartbeat!
Update not showing up for me, says up to date
Same here. Tried rebooting both phone and watch ...Ugh. I'm not a fan of glances, but not happy they've removed it. I used it to easily swipe up and see the music playing from on my phone to easily pause/ffwd/change volume. Is this ability now more work to get to or removed completely?
You can put now playing in the dockWhat is the build number for beta 2?
14S5278d