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

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 4 update to developers, just over three weeks after seeding the second beta and more than a month after introducing the new update at its 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference. The new version is build 15R5321h.

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 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 is officially released in the fall to try it out.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

honglong1976 Avatar
101 months ago
Installed and left over night.

Woke up and progress was on 100% on the ring / apple watch. Waited another hour. Nothing. Pressed crown and side button till it turned off. Turned on, entered pin and working again.

One to watch out for if anyone gets those symptoms. :)

For a second I thought it had bricked! phew!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimUSCA Avatar
101 months ago
Holy crap, that's a nice surprise! Here's hoping it solves my battery dying in just a few hours.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anticipate Avatar
101 months ago
Try to activate camera app on watch, and then search again
Oddly that worked eventually. Thanks!!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
101 months ago
Much needed. Slightly later than expected, but here none the less.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vbctv Avatar
101 months ago
The release isn't even showing up in updates yet so it may have just been released. It keeps saying watchOS 4 is up to date.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HopefulHumanist Avatar
101 months ago
Finally! Hope it solves the battery drain.

The release isn't even showing up in updates yet so it may have just been released. It keeps saying watchOS 4 is up to date.
I am seeing the same too.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)