watchOS 11 introduces better cycle tracking, more customizable Activity Rings, and more personalization.
The fifth developer builds of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1 are out now, as Apple prepares for its next operating system update releases.
Apple has divided its usual beta test cycle into two distinct groups, and has occasionally released them separately. This has been caused by the early beta testing of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, to hammer out issues with Apple Intelligence.
Since those three have been in testing far earlier, the beta is split into two groups, with Apple Intelligence-infused builds separate from others that don’t have it.
The fourth builds of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1 arrived on October 7, while the third landed on October 1. However Apple pulled the beta for watchOS 11.1 on October 3 due to some models locking up while running it.
Apple’s tvOS 18.1 beta shifts to 22J5573a from 22J5567a, watchOS 11.1 is on build 22R5575a from 22R5569a, and visionOS 2.1 goes to 22N5573a following after 22N5567a.
AppleInsider and Apple strongly advise that users do not install test operating systems or other beta or RC software onto “mission-critical” or primary hardware, due to the small chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should therefore use secondary or non-essential devices and make sure they have sufficient backups of any critical data.