After 17 days of the release of watchOS 8 beta 1, Apple is finally releasing beta 2 of its upcoming Apple Watch software, currently only available for developers.
Today’s build is 19R5286f. Public beta testers will be able to try watchOS 8 starting in July, although Apple didn’t give a specific date. Introduced during the WWDC21 keynote, here are some of the most important features coming to the Apple Watch this fall:
watchOS 8 includes, for example, new built-in applications that take advantage of the always-on display used on the Apple Watch Series 5 and later. There is also a new way for developers to tap into the always-on display.
With watchOS 8 coming this fall, three new Apple applications will now take advantage of the Apple Watch’s always-on display: Music, Maps, and Calculator. Also:
- There’s a new version of the Breathe app, now called Mindfulness;
- Respiratory rate is now measured during sleep tracking;
- Photo watch faces can now include depth using portrait mode photos;
- Photos app overhauled with featured highlights and memories;
- Photos can now be shared from the watch with Messages and Mail;
- Scribble now lets you include emoji in handwritten messages;
- App shelf in iMessage includes image search and quick access to photos;
- Find My now includes items (including AirTags);
- Weather includes next hour precipitation;
- Apple Watch can do multiple timers for the first time;
- Tips is now available on the Apple Watch;
- Music can be shared from Apple Watch over Messages.
Apple is also testing watchOS 7.6 beta 3, which should be available to all users sometime in the near future.
