Apple Rolls Out Third watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 Developer Betas
If you're tracking Apple’s software progress, you're probably wondering what's new in the third watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 developer betas. Released on July 7, 2025, these latest betas are available for registered Apple developers and bring a wave of visual improvements, feature enhancements, and important bug fixes. Whether you're a developer preparing your app for the fall release or just curious about Apple’s upcoming updates for Apple Watch and Vision Pro, this beta cycle gives us a clearer view of what’s coming.
The watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 developer betas follow the design language Apple is rolling out across its ecosystem, including iOS 26, macOS 26, and tvOS 26. Most notably, watchOS 26 introduces a fresh "Liquid Glass" interface inspired by visionOS. This new aesthetic isn’t just visual—it’s designed to be more responsive and immersive, especially when paired with AI features like the all-new Workout Buddy. Meanwhile, visionOS 26 introduces spatial widgets and improved lifelike Personas, further refining the mixed reality experience on Vision Pro.
New Features in watchOS 26 Beta 3
With the third watchOS 26 developer beta, Apple is addressing user feedback while expanding the functionality of its wearable platform. Among the standout additions is the AI-powered Workout Buddy, a motivational feature that uses on-device intelligence to tailor encouragement, goals, and progress tracking based on the wearer’s habits and schedule. The Smart Stack has also been enhanced to include deeper personal context—such as location, time of day, and routine—offering more timely and relevant suggestions for apps and widgets.
This update also brings a brand-new Notes app to the Apple Watch, allowing users to create, view, and sync quick notes across devices. Additionally, Apple has introduced Live Translation support, making it easier for travelers and multilingual users to communicate on the go using their wrist. Importantly, this beta is expected to fix a critical issue that caused Hermès Apple Watch models to overheat and crash—an issue previously reported in earlier betas.
What's New in visionOS 26 Developer Beta
The visionOS 26 developer beta continues to evolve Apple’s spatial computing vision. In Beta 3, users will notice support for spatial widgets, which can now be placed anywhere in the mixed reality space, giving users more control over their environment. These widgets allow for glanceable information—like weather, calendar events, and fitness rings—to float alongside your virtual workspace or entertainment setup.
Apple is also refining Personas, its digital avatar system. The goal? More lifelike visuals and natural expressions during FaceTime or shared experiences. Speaking of which, this beta introduces shared spatial experiences, allowing two Vision Pro users to interact in the same virtual space. This opens new possibilities for collaboration, multiplayer gaming, or immersive entertainment.
Although tvOS 26 was part of the broader update wave earlier this year, Apple has yet to release the third beta for it. That said, the Liquid Glass design changes introduced in other systems are expected to eventually roll out to tvOS as well, keeping the Apple ecosystem visually unified and functionally consistent.
Public Beta Timeline and Final Release
While these watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 developer betas are currently only available to developers, Apple has confirmed that public betas will arrive soon—likely within the next few weeks. These public versions will allow general users to try the new features, report bugs, and provide feedback ahead of the official fall 2025 release. As with all major software updates, Apple aims to refine the experience through multiple beta cycles before launching to the public.
If you're planning to install either beta, make sure you're using a supported device and have a registered Apple Developer account. Apple continues to release updates over-the-air through the Settings app, streamlining the testing process. For now, developers have early access to the cutting edge of Apple’s wearable and spatial computing platforms, setting the stage for a powerful and visually unified ecosystem this fall.
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