Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 9 to Developers - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 9 to Developers

In addition to providing new betas of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, and macOS 13, Apple today seeded the first beta of a new watchOS 9 update to developers for testing purposes.

f1654537462
To install ‌watchOS 9, 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.

You should not install ‌watchOS 9 on a main Apple Watch as the software may be unstable and laden with bugs at this early date.

‌watchOS 9 is limited to developers at the current time, but Apple plans to provide a public beta later this summer ahead of the software's fall launch alongside new Apple Watch models.

Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

watchos 26 hypertension alert

Upgrading to Apple Watch Series 12 Could Cost You Hypertension Notifications

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:57 am PDT by
Some Apple Watch users who upgrade to the Series 12 or the Ultra 4 might temporarily lose access to hypertension notifications. On the watchOS feature availability page, Apple says notifications might not be available on the Series 12 or Ultra 4 at launch because regulatory clearances are in process. Hypertension Notifications may not be available on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 in your ...
watchos 27

Apple Seeds watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 Release Candidates

Wednesday September 9, 2026 12:06 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 to developers and public beta testers. The release candidates are the final versions of the updates that will be seeded to the public as long as no final bugs are found during this last round of testing. The updates can be installed through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each...
watchos 27

Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 8 to Developers

Monday August 31, 2026 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of watchOS 27 to developers, with the update coming a week after the launch of the seventh beta. The beta can be downloaded through the Watch app on the iPhone with a free developer account. The Apple Watch will need to be on the charger, connected to Wi-Fi, and have a battery level of 50 percent or above for new software to be installed. watchOS 27...

Top Rated Comments

56 months ago
I'm very excited for sleep stages! Hopefully we get automatic sleep tracking in the future as well.

I can't wait to stop wearing my Fitbit for sleep tracking.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ericg301 Avatar
56 months ago

I really want to use sleep tracking. But serious question, when do you charge your watch?
this has been discussed forever.

charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for bed
charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for your day.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago

this has been discussed forever.

charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for bed
charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for your day.
Sorry, never did much looking into it. Honestly, I didn't realize it only needed about an hour of charge per day. Thanks!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago

I really want to use sleep tracking. But serious question, when do you charge your watch?

this has been discussed forever.

charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for bed
charge for 30-45 minutes as you get ready for your day.
Yep this is exactly what I do too.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago

I'm very excited for sleep stages! Hopefully we get automatic sleep tracking in the future as well.

I can't wait to stop wearing my Fitbit for sleep tracking.
I really want to use sleep tracking. But serious question, when do you charge your watch?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago
Improved running metrics is welcomed. Now pair that with better battery life.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors