WWDC brought us a lot of major updates and features to the best iPhones, Apple Watches, and iPads. For the Apple Watch, watchOS 11 brings introduces a host of new health features such as Vitals, Training Load, and more useful widgets. The new update will be available in the Fall (likely in September), but if you're impatient, you could try out the developer beta right now.

However, keep in mind that the current release is strictly a developer beta, not a public one. Developer betas can be buggy and require you to enroll in the Apple Developer program. You'll also need to update your iPhone to the latest available beta to update your Apple Watch. If you're fine with all that, here's how you can install the watchOS 11 beta on your Apple Watch.

Math Notes on an iPad.
How to stop getting beta OS updates on your iPhone or iPad

It's easy to switch from iOS or iPadOS beta to the stable OS version on an iPhone or iPad

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How to install watchOS 11 beta

First, ensure that your Apple Watch is paired to an iPhone running the latest iOS beta to install watchOS beta. There isn't an alternative if you don't want to take risks with your iPhone. Follow our instructions to install the latest iOS beta on the iPhone that's paired with the Apple Watch you're about to upgrade.

For a hassle-free installation, make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. You should also ensure your Apple Watch has at least 50% battery and is in close proximity to your iPhone to avoid any range issues.

  1. Launch the Watch app on your updated iPhone.
  2. Head to the General section.
  3. Tap on Software Update.
    Watch app General settings on iOS
    Software Update settings on Watch app for iOS
  4. Go to the Beta Updates section.
  5. Pick watchOS 11 Developer Beta or watchOS 11 Public Beta.
    beta updates section in the watch app on iOS
    iOS screenshot that highlights watchOS 11 Beta in the Watch app
  6. Return to the Software Update page, and the latest watchOS 11 beta build should appear.
  7. Tap on Download and Install.
  8. Place your Apple Watch on its charger, and wait for it to finish the installation process.
  9. Once the update is complete, your Apple Watch will restart.

If you don't mind waiting a little bit, you can go for public betas, which are made available for free a while after developer builds go live. The public beta for watchOS 11 will be available in July, and we recommend installing that over the developer beta — especially on your primary device.

Be wary of unstable beta releases

It's worth noting that watchOS betas can be unstable or even unusable. So, if you actively rely on your Apple Watch and expect it to work reliably at all times, you may want to refrain from hopping on the beta train.

Furthermore, downgrading from the watchOS beta to the stable version isn't a convenient process, so you should make sure that you're happy to stay on the watchOS beta before taking the plunge.