Apple recently launched watchOS 9, and it’s already possible to install a beta version of the new operating system on Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. In this tutorial, kwgeek will show you how to download and install the watchOS 9 developer beta.
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warn: watchOS 9 is currently a beta operating system and therefore may contain bugs and may result in data loss.You should only install the developer version or public beta on devices you don’t use every day. Either way, back up your data before starting. Keep in mind that watchOS is not the same as iOS 16 beta as there is no way to downgrade to watchOS 8.
Now that the groundwork is in place, watchOS 9 launches on June 6 and introduces four new watch faces for the Apple Watch, a slew of new workout metrics like running and swimming, and improvements to the AFib feature. If you want to learn more about what’s new for the Apple Watch in September, read our full watchOS 9 guide.
watchOS 9 adds four new faces to the Apple Watch. Here, Moon Dial / © kwgeek
How to Download and Install watchOS 9 on Apple Watch
If you want to install watchOS 9 on your iPhone now, you need an Apple developer account. A developer account grants access to all beta versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. In addition, there are many other options, such as beta testing your own apps and numerous developer tools for creating apps.
Creating a developer account for an individual costs $99 per year, so it’s only worth it if you plan to develop and distribute your app. To create an Apple developer account, visit the dedicated Apple website. Note that two-factor authentication is required.
Download and install the watchOS 9 developer beta
Using a developer account, you will be able to install watchOS 9 beta as follows:
- Sign in to your account at developer.apple.com.
- On your iPhone: Download the configuration file directly to your iPhone and follow the installation instructions.
- On your Mac or PC: Save the file to your hard drive/SSD and email it to your account on your iPhone. Save the configuration file to a file, open it and follow the installation instructions.
- Clicking on the profile should automatically install the watchOS 9 beta update profile.You will then see the certificate in the Watch app (the app used to manage the Apple Watch on the iPhone)
- Then, as a final step, runWatch the app then go in Software update And check for updates as usual.You should see new updates available
- In order to install watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch, it must be plugged in and have at least 50% battery life remaining. Additionally, the iPhone needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network and kept within range of the Apple Watch.
After the profile, it is enough to go to the software update settings and install watchOS 9 beta / © kwgeek.
How to install watchOS 9 public beta
If you don’t want to create a developer account, Apple expects to release a watchOS 9 public beta as early as July. Since the current version we’re already testing appears to be fairly stable, there shouldn’t be anything to stand in the way of a beta release in the next few weeks.
To sign up as a beta tester for watchOS 9, follow these steps:
- Visit beta.apple.com and sign up for the beta program
- Apple will notify you as soon as a beta version is released. Of course, we will also keep you informed. The steps below will only work when the public beta is released.
- The beta installation steps are similar to the above. First, you need to load the configuration file. The iPhone needs to remain connected to the Wi-Fi network and within range of the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch battery needs to be at least 50% charged and plugged in.
- After completing these steps, go to Settings > General > Software Update
- press download and install
- click Install, and you’ll install the latest version of watchOS. The Apple Watch should also restart.
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Now that you know how to install watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch, most importantly, you know what’s wrong with the beta phase of the Apple Watch OS update: Download it! What do you think of watchOS 9’s new features?