Apple releases third watchOS 7 public beta
Apple on Thursday released the third beta version of its upcoming watchOS 7 update to members of its public software testing program.
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
The watchOS 7 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Beta Software Program website. Apple released the sixth developer beta -- and some public beta -- versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 on Tuesday.
Apple's third public watchOS 7 beta comes exactly one week after the previous variant, released on Aug. 20.
It's advised that users exercise caution with the watchOS 7 public beta, since the upgrade is one-way and there is no option to downgrade to earlier versions of watchOS.
The Apple Watch operating system is the last of Apple's platforms to have a public beta testing debut. Releases of watchOS 7 public betas have also been slower than other updates, including developer builds. The public beta is on its second version, while the developer beta is on its sixth. Apple released public betas for iOS and iPadOS 14 on Tuesday.
Set to arrive alongside iOS 14 and other software updates in the fall, watchOS 7 introduces a new Sleep Tracking feature and a volume safety alert to protect a user's hearing. Additional features include new fitness and workout options, refinements to Apple Maps and Siri, a hand-washing timer, new watch faces.
AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly suggest users avoid installing betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, due to the potential for data loss or other issues. It is instead recommended to install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure there are sufficient backups of important data beforehand.
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