Apple has seeded the fifth beta of its upcoming watchOS 11 update to developers for testing. The new beta comes two weeks after the release of the fourth beta.
To install the watchOS 11 beta, 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 beta 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.
The new Vitals app allows users to quickly view several key health metrics and gain better context when it comes to their health. Apple Watch measures important health metrics during sleep: heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen. Users can now check in on their daily health status while also exploring noteworthy metrics at a glance, easily seeing when they are out of a user’s typical range. When two or more metrics are out of their typical range, users can receive a notification, as well as a message detailing how the changes in these specific metrics may be linked to other aspects of their life, such as elevation changes, alcohol consumption, or even illness.
Activity rings are now more customizable, while the Apple Watch and the Health app on iPhone and iPad offer additional support for users who are pregnant. Check-In, the Translate app, and new capabilities for the double tap gesture come to the Apple Watch for added connectivity and convenience.
The Smart Stack has been updated with new widgets and support for Live Activities and Translate and is better able to suggest widgets based on time and daily routine. The Photos watch face includes suggestions for the best images to use, and the Check-In safety feature now works with Workouts.
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.
