Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of watchOS 8 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of the upcoming watchOS 8 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the fourth watchOS 8 beta.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch feature
To install ‌watchOS 8‌, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, ‌watchOS 8‌ can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.

To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌. It's not recommended to install ‌watchOS 8‌ on a main Apple Watch as the software may be unstable at this early date.

watchOS 8 has several new features that are extensions of new features introduced in iOS 15. There are improvements to Wallet that allow it to hold keys for unlocking hotel, car, and home doors, plus Apple will let U.S. users add their IDs to Wallet later this year.

Apple overhauled the Home app, and for the Workout app, there are new Tai Chi and Pilates workout types, and the Breathe app has been renamed to Mindfulness thanks to a new Reflect session that invites users to get into a positive state of mind. When sleeping, the Apple Watch now measures respiratory rate.

Focus mode from iOS 15 syncs to the watch so users can stay on task, and in the Messages app, Scribble, dictation, and emojis can be combined within the same message, making it easier to communicate. Dictated text can be edited, and GIFs can be sent right from the watch.

There's a new Portrait watch face, and the Photos app has been updated with support for Memories and Featured ‌Photos‌. A new Find My app lets items be located right on the wrist, and there are also new updates for Music, Weather, Timers, and more, along with a new Contacts app.

Related Roundups: watchOS 11, watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

elvisimprsntr Avatar
51 months ago

im on beta on my apple tv and iphone but not my watch, just too much risk
I like to live dangerously and install betas on all my Apple Kit.

Installing betas on a future Apple Car is where I draw the line.



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Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Khedron Avatar
51 months ago

It's not recommended to install ‌watchOS 8‌ on a main Apple Watch as the software may be unstable at this early date.
No beta software on your mission-critical wrist is a good rule of thumb ?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swarlos Avatar
51 months ago
My contacts are finally fixed on my watch with this beta!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ansath Avatar
51 months ago

I’m running it on my series 5 and it’s the last time

the beta has been fine but you then can’t also opt out from the iPhone beta because then it won’t work fine. And so now I don’t get to use my bank app because of my watch ?
If it's First Direct or HSBC, they updated the app and it now works with iOS 15
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
elvisimprsntr Avatar
51 months ago

Apple Car will only update when parked at your home address to avoid leaving you stranded
And be at least 50% charged and on the charger
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
luciferuk Avatar
51 months ago

No beta software on your mission-critical wrist is a good rule of thumb ?
Gotta say, I will not be doing this again. Battery life was bad to begin with but this beta, lucky if you get half a day; and no way back either. Nightmare.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)