The watchOS 11 public beta is available for free download now, so you can try out the great new fitness features coming to your Apple Watch before Apple releases the update to everyone. And if you’re already running the watchOS 11 developer beta, you can switch to the public beta for extra peace of mind.
Of course, there are a few things to be aware of. Beta software can be buggy and can result in data loss or apps that don’t work. Battery life will definitely take a hit. Installing software updates on your Apple Watch can be a bit of a hassle. They take a long time to download, the watch has to be above a certain battery percentage and on the charger, and you have to install a new software update every two weeks or so.
If you still want to try it, you’ll need to install iOS 18 on your iPhone first. Here’s how.
How to download the watchOS 11 public beta
Table of Contents: How to Download the watchOS 11 Developer Beta
- Install iOS 18 public beta
- Switch to allow beta software updates
- Install the update
1. Install iOS 18 Public Beta
Before downloading the watchOS beta, you must install the iOS beta on the same iPhone that is connected to your Apple Watch. You can find the documentation here. Don’t forget to double check that you have a recent iCloud backup and that your photo library is synced first.
2. Switch to allow beta software updates
On your iPhone, open: Apple Watch Apps and Tabs General > Software Update. After checking for updates, the option will appear. Beta Update. Tapping on it will show you the currently available options: Off, watchOS 11 Public Beta, watchOS 11 Developer Beta, watchOS 10 Public Beta, watchOS 10 Developer Beta.
- The watchOS 11 public beta is a safer way to enjoy pre-release software. Updates will be delivered at the same pace every two to three weeks, but will be delayed by about a day to ensure that there are no critical bugs in the software.
- The watchOS 11 developer beta is a fast track for app developers to test features and implement new ones. This beta is released a little earlier, but carries a higher risk of bugs.
water tap watchOS 11 public beta Get a fancy new update packed with all the latest fitness features.
3. Download watchOS 11 beta update
Swipe back and you’ll see that the watchOS 11 update is available. Tap it. Download and install Well, download and install the update. Upgrading to a major release version may take longer than a normal software update.
Finally, it will reboot with the shiny new watchOS 11 beta! You can expect new software updates every few weeks until September. Also strongly We recommend using the public beta. If you’re already running the watchOS 11 developer beta, you can switch at any time without risk.