Apple has pulled the watchOS 5 beta, following reports the software was rendering Apple Watch models unusable.
Beta testers have taken to Reddit and the MacRumors forums to report instances of bricking while attempting to install the update.
This comes after Apple released the first watchOS 5 beta on June 4, immediately following its WWDC keynote address.
Now, the update has been temporality removed. Apple Watch owners seeking to install the beta will see the message: “Seed 1 of watchOS 5 is temporarily unavailable. We are investigating an issue that occurs while updating. If you’ve experienced any issues, please contact AppleCare.”
Related: Apple watchOS 5 best features
It should be noted that Apple advises these developer betas should only be installed on secondary devices for precisely this reason. If you’re installing an early developer beta on a primary iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, you’re asking for trouble.
These early releases are often unstable and can affect different models differently. In this case it appears to be Apple Watch Series 2 owners mostly troubled by this update. It’s not clear when Apple will make the beta available again, but we’ll keep you posted.
It’s easy to see why Apple Watch owners are itching to take watchOS for a spin. The new Walkie Talkie feature looks fun, while there’s also a new Competitions section in the Activity app. There’s also major updates for the Siri watch face, web content and the addition of the Podcasts app.
The consumer release will roll out this autumn.
Have you taken the risk with watchOS 5 on your primary Apple Watch? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
