Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 6.1 beta to developers, a week after seeding the fourth watchOS 6.1 beta and over a month after releasing the watchOS 6 update with full App Store, new Apple Watch faces, and more.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.

applewatchseries5
To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have over 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the ‌iPhone‌.

There were no major changes found in the first four watchOS 6.1 betas, so it's not entirely clear what's included in the update, but we'll update this article should new features be found in the fifth beta. The update may be focused on bug fixes and under-the-hood performance improvements.

watchOS 6.1 does work with the Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch models, which were excluded from the watchOS 6 release.

Apple said that watchOS 6 would come to the older Apple Watch models at a later date, so it's possible watchOS 6.1 will be the first version of watchOS 6 to work with the Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watches.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 8
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

FishyFish Avatar
45 months ago
What are you loving about it so much lol? It’s identical to watch OS 6.0.1
I haven’t experienced that! I really liked beta 4 but beta 5 is just amazing. Speedy, flawless, great battery life. I’m still at 86% with always on display on, where with 6.0.1 I would be at 40% at this part of the day.

It’s just a phenomenal update.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Braderunner Avatar
45 months ago

What are you loving about it so much lol? It’s identical to watch OS 6.0.1
Shortcuts on Watch work again. Definitely not identical.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NavySEAL6 Avatar
45 months ago
Does this address battery life? Is there any chance my brand new Series 5 will at least match the battery of my two year old S3?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mlody Avatar
45 months ago
Cant wait for the update to become available for s1/s2 owners. My reminder app on my s2 is broken since I upgraded to ios13 :(
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RicD Avatar
45 months ago

anything about it in particular that is stunning?
My guess, being available for older V1 and V2 versions (a good gesture); mine is V3 LTE. The article states “...The update may be focused on bug fixes and under-the-hood performance improvements...”, always welcomed.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FishyFish Avatar
45 months ago
Absolutely stunning. Thanks Apple!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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