Apple issues first betas of iOS 10.1, watchOS 3.1, macOS Sierra 10.12.1, more

Just a few days after all of Apple's major platforms were updated publicly, developers have been supplied with new beta releases of point-one updates, including iOS 10.1 and watchOS 3.1.

A total of five new betas are available to registered developers as of Wednesday. They are:

macOS Sierra 10.12.1 beta (build 16B2327e)
iOS 10.1 beta (build 14B55c)
watchOS 3.1 beta (build 14S452)
tvOS 10.0.1 beta (build 14U54)
Xcode 8.1 beta (build 8T29o)

Registered devices can be updated over the air via Software Update. iTunes can also be used to manually update iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs.

Currently, Apple is relatively tight lipped about what changes the new software might include. For example, a point-one version for iOS would suggest new features will be included, however the release notes simply mention that developers will have access to barometric pressure data on new iPad models.

Release notes for watchOS 3.1 also list known issues with the pre-release software, but do not disclose any new features. The point-zero-one update for tvOS, meanwhile, suggests it will simply squash bugs and will not boast any new features.

Members of Apple's public beta program are likely to receive similar beta builds of macOS Sierra 10.12.1 and iOS 10.1 in the coming days. watchOS, tvOS and Xcode are not included in Apple's public betas.

iOS 10 (in the form of iOS 10.0.1), watchOS 3 and tvOS 10 were released publicly last week. macOS 10.12 Sierra launched to the public on Tuesday.

10 Comments

eightzero 3141 comments · 14 Years

About 8 years ago

My iPhone 7 is killing my Apple Watch battery. I updated to watchOS 3 and iOS 10.0.1 on my iPhone 5s, and it was fine. When I moved to the iPhone 7, my watch battery dropped to about 6 hours, easily 1/3 of what I was getting before. Took all the 3rd party apps off it, but no improvement. I smell a bug.

jcs2305 1340 comments · 11 Years

eightzero said:

My iPhone 7 is killing my Apple Watch battery. I updated to watchOS 3 and iOS 10.0.1 on my iPhone 5s, and it was fine. When I moved to the iPhone 7, my watch battery dropped to about 6 hours, easily 1/3 of what I was getting before. Took all the 3rd party apps off it, but no improvement. I smell a bug.

Did you happen to restore your watch when you switched to the new phone ? I am using watch OS3 with iPhone 7 plus and my watch battery fine. Took it off of the charger around 7am est and it's at 81% right now. I know we have different usage and apps , but only 1/3 of previous battery life

jcs2305 said:

eightzero said:

My iPhone 7 is killing my Apple Watch battery. I updated to watchOS 3 and iOS 10.0.1 on my iPhone 5s, and it was fine. When I moved to the iPhone 7, my watch battery dropped to about 6 hours, easily 1/3 of what I was getting before. Took all the 3rd party apps off it, but no improvement. I smell a bug.

Did you happen to restore your watch when you switched to the new phone ? I am using watch OS3 with iPhone 7 plus and my watch battery fine. Took it off of the charger around 7am est and it's at 81% right now. I know we have different usage and apps , but only 1/3 of previous battery life

I've repaired several times, and finally set it up as a new watch. Still no joy. I did call Apple Support, and with their diagnostic confirmed the Apple Watch battery checks out. I'd try the beta, but i'm more inclined to return the iPhone 7 and go back to my trusty 5s.

TomE 174 comments · 8 Years

I have a 6s+128g , not a 7 yet. I think your battery issues will resolve shortly. It is certainly not an issue users will tolerate, nor is it one Apple will tolerate. I noticed a lot of Photos / Spotlight / iCloud/ type of usage. Also your Docs could have been pushed to the cloud. I am no expert by any means. If you have OS X on a Mac, iOS on a Pad or Phone - these will resolve at a cost - battery life and usage over the air, etc. Nothing is instant. I am glad I did not let it sync my Docs with the Cloud. Many GB's were involved. Think about it and check these things out. The 7 is a great phone and much faster.

Oh, I finally discovered after observing DOS, Win, Mac, iOS, etc. that the leading edge can often be the bleeding edge. I am impressed how well Apple accomplishes what they do. It will all resolve. Find some Docs on the new OS's and read them. That is the key - knowledge is power. I have used Macs since 1984. Apple & PC's a little longer. Things will resolve. That is a given with Apple. These things cannot be accomplished at the speed of light - We expect a click to resolve everything, but it takes time to play out. Just let the Machines run for a long time. Finally mine settled down. There is a lot going on. Photos will settle down finally. So will Spotlight.