Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 8 to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of the upcoming watchOS 8 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming one week after Apple released the eighth 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.

watchOS 8 is set to be released on Monday, September 20.

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

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago
Sweet! It’s out
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sciomar Avatar
50 months ago

For those brave enough...how were the betas on watchOS this year? Watch and Mac betas, for me, are too risky, so I don't jump on those!
Not terrible to be honest, it's my daily but I like to live dangerously. Some text message notifications didn't come through and I had to re-pair my airpods (gen 1) mid way in the builds. Still performed well on runs minus my solo braided band not keeping it near my wrist 100% of the time so I'd have to unlock it a few times.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
50 months ago

For those brave enough...how were the betas on watchOS this year? Watch and Mac betas, for me, are too risky to jump on, but still curious how it went!
Started with PB 4 on my AW6.

It failed multiple times to install, “not connected to Internet” falsely displayed on each attempt and on each beta level.

After 4 or so tries and phone put in close proximity to watch 3-4feet away, ie same room, it installed and once installed fine.

Just got up to bring phone into bedroom because it’s failing at verification. Now two minutes later I see the apple on the watch face.

Didn’t ever encounter this with watchOS 7.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOS Geek Avatar
50 months ago

Not terrible to be honest, it's my daily but I like to live dangerously. Some text message notifications didn't come through and I had to re-pair my airpods (gen 1) mid way in the builds. Still performed well on runs minus my solo braided band not keeping it near my wrist 100% of the time so I'd have to unlock it a few times.
Good to hear! So it sounds like this was a pretty decent beta year. I do iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. No notable issues (at least for me) and it sounds like Monterey has been going more smoothly than Big Sur did.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)