How To Download watchOS 26 Developer Beta 3 on Your Apple Watch

Apple teased watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, bringing a shiny new look, Workout Buddy, Live Translation in Messages, and some other neat stuff. If you’re into testing or just can’t wait to see it firsthand, you might want to get the watchOS 26 developer beta 3 on your Apple Watch now. But hold up—there’s a few things to know before diving in. It’s not like any regular update—you’re rolling beta software, which can be a bit crash-prone or buggy. Still, if you’re willing to deal with some quirks, here’s how to get it going.

Things to Know Before You Download watchOS 26 Developer Beta

First off, double-check all the basics so you don’t end up with a brick or something that refuses to update. Here’s what you need:

Your Apple Watch needs to be at least Series 6 or newer—older models won’t support watchOS 26, period.
The iPhone paired with your watch must be running on iOS 26 developer beta. If you’re still on iOS 25, the watchOS update won’t even show in the app.
Make sure your iPhone is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi—cellular data can be flaky for software updates, especially betas.
You gotta be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. No enrollment, no beta download.
Keep your Apple Watch charged to at least 50%, or better yet, pop it on the charger while updating. Nothing kills a beta update faster than dying mid-install.

How to Install iOS 26 Developer Beta 3 on your iPhone

This step is pretty critical—without it, the watchOS beta will never even pop up in your Watch app. Basically, you gotta have iOS 26 beta 3 on your iPhone first. If not, get that sorted on the Beta Software Program website. You’ll download and install the profile, then update via Settings > General > Software Update. On some setups, the update might not show immediately—you might need to restart your iPhone or even toggle airplane mode. Not sure why it works, but sometimes it just needs a little nudge.

How to Download and Install watchOS 26 Developer Beta 3

Once your iPhone is on iOS 26 beta 3, it’s time to get the watchOS beta on your Apple Watch. Here’s how:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone and make sure you’re on the My Watch tab.
Head over to General > Software Update. If you don’t see the beta update there, make sure the iPhone has the latest beta profile installed and is on the right build.
Tap on Beta Updates (if you see that option), then pick watchOS 26 Developer Beta from the list. Sometimes, it’s hidden until the profile is fully installed and the phone has checked in.
Now, hit Download and Install. Your watch will start to download the update, which might take a while and probably involves automatic restarts. Be patient—on some setups, it’s a slow process, and on others, it’s lightning-fast.

Should You Download watchOS 26 Beta Now?

Honestly, beta software isn’t for everyone. If your daily driver depends on your Apple Watch, maybe hold off until a later beta or the official release. Betas are fun to poke around in, but they’re often buggy or have weird glitches—nothing too crazy, but enough to screw with your day. If you’re on a mission to test your apps or just love living on the edge, go for it. Otherwise, wait for the public beta (coming in July) or the official fall release. The extra stability is worth waiting for.

Final Thoughts: Download watchOS 26 Developer Beta Today

If you’re eager to explore the new features or see if your apps still run, grabbing the beta now isn’t a terrible idea—just know you might run into some bugs. Having done it myself, it’s kinda fun seeing how quickly things can break (or fix) after a restart. Just expect some hiccups, and don’t blame Apple if your watch acts weird for a bit.

Trying out the developer beta or waiting for the public one? Either way, fingers crossed this helps someone get the ball rolling. Good luck, and don’t forget to back up your watch data first—because of course, old habits die hard.

Summary

Make sure your watch is Series 6+.
Update your iPhone to iOS 26 beta 3 first.
Enrolled in Apple Developer Program.
Keep watch charged and connected to Wi-Fi.
Use Watch app > General > Software Update to grab the beta.

Wrap-up

The whole process can be a bit bumpy, but if you’re comfortable with beta testing, it’s kinda worth it. Just don’t expect perfection—the software is still young, after all. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours troubleshooting for someone or at least gives a clearer idea of what to expect. If this gets one update moving, mission accomplished.