Apple Seeds Fifth Public Beta of watchOS 7 to Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the fifth public beta of an upcoming watchOS 7 update to public beta testers, one week after seeding the fourth public beta and just a few days after seeding a new beta to developers.

watchOS public beta 5 Feature
The watchOS 7 update can be downloaded after installing the proper profile from Apple's Public Beta website. watchOS 7 should not be installed on a primary device as it is still an early beta and there could be bugs, plus there is no way to downgrade back to watchOS 6.

watchOS 7 is a major update that introduces a new Sleep Tracking feature for the Apple Watch, which is designed to measure how long you're asleep as you wear the Apple Watch while sleeping.

It comes along with a Wind Down feature that helps you establish a bedtime routine to make it easier to fall asleep at night, as well as a Sleep Mode that turns on Do Not Disturb and dims the Apple Watch display.

The Apple Watch can also wake you up with haptic vibrations, providing a weather report in the morning as well as info on battery life so you can get your day started.

Along with these sleep tracking features, the Apple Watch has automatic handwashing detection that listens for the sound of running water and handwashing motions and then starts a 20-second timer so you can make sure you're washing your hands for the appropriate amount of time.

A new watch Face Sharing feature lets you share watch faces with others and install new watch faces from the App Store, Messages, Mail, websites, and more.

There's a new Chronograph Pro face with tachymeter, updates to complications, and new workout options in the newly renamed Fitness app, which was previously the Activity app.

The Maps app now supports directions for cyclists, Siri provides spoken translations, and there's a Shortcuts app on the Apple Watch. For more on what's new in watcOS 7, make sure to check out our watchOS 7 roundup.

watchOS 7 is limited to the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, and Series 5 models, and is not compatible with the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2.

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

Top Rated Comments

ghostface147 Avatar
33 months ago

With so many operating systems to manage, Apple should take a 2 year break. Make the next year be maintenance year and focus on iOS 15, iPad OS 15, WatchOS 8, macOS 11.1 for a 2022 target. You can then spend the time building and thoroughly testing features internally. So, by June 2022, you have a more fit and finish betas that max out to 3 the most, final GM, September 2022. This means, no delayed features, a clean slate is started for iOS 16 and the rest.

It just feels like for the past 3 years, its been a biting off a bit more than they can chew and the current pandemic is not helping.
So stay stagnant while others still update their systems. Got it.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
33 months ago
With so many operating systems to manage, Apple should take a 2 year break. Make the next year be maintenance year and focus on iOS 15, iPad OS 15, WatchOS 8, macOS 11.1 for a 2022 target. You can then spend the time building and thoroughly testing features internally. So, by June 2022, you have a more fit and finish betas that max out to 3 the most, final GM, September 2022. This means, no delayed features, a clean slate is started for iOS 16 and the rest.

It just feels like for the past 3 years, its been a biting off a bit more than they can chew and the current pandemic is not helping.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DaveMcM76 Avatar
33 months ago

How are you WatchOS 7 folks dealing with the deprication of Force Touch? Is it easy to adapt to the changes or does it take several extra steps to accomplish what could be done by force pressing and tapping previously?
The only place I'm still instinctively trying to use it is for the Clear All option on notifications which is now a button at the top of the notification list so actually fewer steps to access than force touch -> clear all.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RevTEG Avatar
33 months ago
Watch betas have been stable for me. Although, I’m not sure that I’d call watch OS7 a major update, it’s certainly not a bad one.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
33 months ago

What are your thoughts on the Sleep app? It's supposed to be the big feature for this release but I find it to be an utter mess. It's basic in it's tracking abilities and way over complicated in it's implimentation. I find it almost unuable compared to other tracking apps.
The sleep app is rudimentary, as to providing deep (pun intended) analysis of one’s sleeping pattern throughout the night. The intent and focus of the app is to get the user in the habit of winding down every night and going to bed at the same time, thus (hopefully) improving one’s sleep quality. The app does an excellent job of minimizing battery usage overnight. I routinely use 12 - 15 % overnight.

I have been using it for many weeks and I like it. If I want to see other data, I look to AutoSleep or Pillow.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
33 months ago

I worried about not being able to roll back on the Watch, but I’ve just not had any issues that would warrant needing to drop back to a non-beta WatchOS. I feel that way with iOS and iPadOS as well. Going back to the initial time I started using betas, with iPhone 5, when iOS in beta was often a hot mess until one or two updates just prior to GM, I would jump back and forth just so I could use my iPhone. I can’t say I remember needing to do that since then. Apple has definitely gotten better at producing usable betas, with just minimal issues for the most part.
I sent my series 5 watch to Apple yesterday, to get downgraded to WatchOS 6, so that it would be easier to sell. Apple provides the service for free and with overnight shipping via Fed EX both ways. I am hoping I get it back on Monday.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....