One month after releasing the iOS 14 public beta, Apple today rolled out the watchOS 7 public beta as well.
You can now install the first watchOS 7 public beta release on your Apple Watch. Just enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program if you haven't already done so and then follow the instructions Apple provides to get the beta onto your watch.
watchOS 7 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, and Series 5 models, so you'll need one of those devices to install this public beta release.
The update to watchOS 7 is big for the Apple Watch. It brings native sleep tracking support, using your watch's accelerometer to track your micro-movements overnight and tell you how much sleep you got.
While you're asleep, your Apple Watch will activate Do Not Disturb and darken its screen so it doesn't wake you up. And when it's time for you to get out of bed, you can use either a silent haptic alarm or sounds to get you up and the watch will greet you with the time, weather, and your watch's battery level.
There's also a new Wind Down mode that'll let you customize a routine to help you get ready for bed, like setting a scene in your Home app or launching a meditation app.
watchOS 7 also brings new workout types, including Dance, Core Training, and Cooldown, as well as cycling directions in Apple Maps and watch face sharing. Your Apple Watch will also be able to automatically detect when you're washing your hands and start a 20-second countdown timer to make sure you're getting your hands totally clean.
Apple will release the watchOS 7 update to the public this fall. If you just can't wait until then and want to install this public beta release, just keep in mind that this is an early beta and so you might encounter bugs or more battery drain than you're accustomed to.