Apple releases fourth watchOS 7.1 developer beta

Apple on Thursday seeded a fourth watchOS 7.1 beta to registered developers, about a week after releasing the last version.

The new watchOS 7 beta version can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center by users enrolled in the test program, or as an over-the-air update by users who are running an earlier version of the beta software.

The newest beta replaces the third released on Oct. 13. It also comes about a month after Apple released the watchOS 7 software update to the public.

Whether this iteration of watchOS 7.1 includes new features is not yet known, though past beta versions lacked substantial changes or additions to the operating system.

To install the new update, an Apple Watch must be at least 50% charged, placed on a charger, and within range of an iPhone.

AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly recommend users don't install the betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, as there is the remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Instead, testers should install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to make sure there are sufficient backups of important data before updating.

That's especially true for watchOS betas, since it's a one-way street with no option to downgrade to a previous version of the operating system.