Apple issues watchOS 4.3 beta 5 to developers for testing

Less than a week after seeding the fourth watchOS 4.3 beta to developers, Apple on Monday issued a fifth version of the upcoming operating system for evaluation ahead of public release.

Like past beta versions, the latest iteration, build 15T5209a, brings only minor updates and improvements to Apple's Apple Watch firmware.

Included among today's changes is a battery complication fix that prevents watchOS from reporting remaining battery percentage in increments of 5. A separate patch allows the Weather app to display information for Greater China.

Beyond the two minor updates, Apple does not include mention of new features, or the removal of previously available functionality, in its release notes.

When it sees release, watchOS 4.3 will deliver a handful of convenience functions and aesthetic user interface changes to Apple Watch owners. For example, a new portrait Nightstand mode is now included for users who charge their device on a vertical stand, while refreshed system graphics like a battery charging animation are also incorporated.

Most notably, the forthcoming update reinstates the ability to browse through a connected iPhone's music catalog, a feature removed with watchOS 4 last September.

The latest watchOS beta follows the release of last week's fourth beta version and December's watchOS 4.2, the latter of which deliver Apple Pay Cash integration.

Developers can download watchOS 4.3 beta 5 through Apple's developer portal.