Apple has released the fifth public beta of watchOS 27 for Apple Watch users enrolled in its beta program. The latest release carries build number 24R5358a, matching the seventh developer beta released on August 24.
The latest beta arrives as Apple moves closer to the public release of watchOS 27 in September. At this stage, the company appears to be focusing mainly on stability, performance improvements, and bug fixes, with no major new features identified in the corresponding developer beta.
If your Apple Watch is already enrolled in the public beta program, follow these steps:
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- Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Tap My Watch.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates and make sure watchOS 27 Public Beta is selected.
- Return to the Software Update page.
- Tap Download and Install when watchOS 27 public beta 5 appears.
- Keep the Apple Watch connected to its charger and Wi-Fi while the update installs.
You can also check for the update directly on the Apple Watch by opening Settings > General > Software Update. Apple requires sufficient battery power during installation, and keeping the watch on its charger is recommended.
All the changes in watchOS 27 public betas so far
The fifth public beta mainly refines watchOS 27 rather than introducing another major feature. Across the previous beta releases, Apple has added and tested several broader changes:
- Siri AI: watchOS 27 brings Apple’s more capable Siri experience to the Apple Watch when paired with an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. Siri can use personal context, answer broader questions, understand what is displayed on screen, and perform actions across supported apps. A dedicated Siri app also keeps conversations available from the watch.
- Dynamic app grid: Pressing the Digital Crown opens a redesigned app grid that highlights Siri suggestions along with recently and frequently used apps, giving users quicker access to relevant apps.
- New Smart Stack gesture: Users can tap their index finger and thumb together to select a widget in the Smart Stack on supported Apple Watch models.
- More Smart Stack suggestions: watchOS 27 can surface useful cards for a parked car, birthdays, pinned messages, celebrations, noise alerts, Theater Mode, identity cards, and transit cards depending on the situation.
- Liquid Glass improvements: Apple has continued adjusting the Liquid Glass interface with more consistent refraction and stronger contrast to make information easier to read on the smaller Apple Watch display.
- Workout Buddy improvements: Workout Buddy can work without the paired iPhone nearby and includes additional metrics related to improvements in distance, pace, and workout duration. Apple has also added Spanish support.
- Better treadmill tracking: New machine-learning improvements provide more accurate distance measurements for treadmill walking and running workouts.
- Updated Cycle Tracking: Apple has added support for tracking symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause as part of the Cycle Tracking changes in watchOS 27.
- New Find My app: Find Devices, Find Items, and Find People now sit inside a single Find My app with a map-focused interface and faster access to common locating tools.
- Precision Finding: Compatible watches can use Precision Finding with supported devices and accessories, including a paired iPhone, AirPods Pro 3, and AirTag 2.
- Wallet improvements: Custom Wallet passes created on an iPhone running iOS 27 can sync to the Apple Watch.
- Call Context: Apple Watch can show relevant information during phone calls, making useful details easier to access without leaving the call experience.
- Faster Music playback: Apple has reduced the time required for music to begin playing directly from the Apple Watch.
- Battery optimizations: watchOS 27 can identify features such as Raise to Speak or certain gestures that are rarely used and offer to turn them off to reduce unnecessary battery use.
- Child Safety and Screen Time updates: Apple has updated the Apple Watch For Your Kids setup process and redesigned Screen Time controls for monitoring app and website activity, schedules, and approved contacts.
watchOS 27 supports Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and Apple Watch SE 3, with a paired iPhone running iOS 27 required.
If you’ve already installed watchOS 27 public beta 5, let us know your experience with the update in the comments.
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