Apple today seeded the release candidate of its upcoming watchOS 10.2 update to developers for testing. The release candidate comes one week after the release of the fourth beta.
To install the watchOS 10.2 release candidate, developers should open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under “General” in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
After that, The watchOS 10 release candidate can be installed via the Watch app on the device’s attached iPhone. Go to “General” -> “Software Update” to install the beta. The Watch should have at least 50% battery life, be connected to a charger, and be within range of the iPhone.
watchOS 10.2 adds support for iMessage Contact Key Verification, a feature designed for those who face “extraordinary digital threats,” such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
Apple’s release notes for the update are:
watchOS 10.2 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
– Access and log Health app data with Siri (Available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2)
– Automatically view Now Playing when in proximity of HomePod (2nd generation) or HomePod mini playing media from Music or Podcasts (Available on – Apple Watch Series 6 and later and Apple Watch Ultra)
– Enable the ability to swipe to change watch faces in Settings
– Enable the ability to confirm ending workouts in Settings
– Prioritize the volume of either the music or trainers’ voices in most Fitness+ workouts
– Resolves an issue that can cause watch faces added in the Watch app on iPhone to not appear on Apple Watch
Apple is expected to release watchOS 10.2 to the public next week.
As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Apple Watch, especially early versions of new operating systems. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.