Apple has released watchOS 27 Public Beta 2 for compatible Apple Watch models, giving public testers another opportunity to try the upcoming software update ahead of its official release this fall. The latest beta arrives one week after the first public beta and focuses primarily on bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance refinements.
If you’re installing the watchOS 27 public beta for the first time, the second beta also includes all of the major features Apple introduced at WWDC 2026, including Siri AI, Workout Buddy improvements, a redesigned app grid, and updates to Smart Stack and Find My.
Learn how to install watchOS 27 Public Beta here.
What’s New in watchOS 27 Public Beta 2
Unlike the first public beta, watchOS 27 Public Beta 2 doesn’t introduce major new features. Instead, Apple has focused on improving the overall experience with bug fixes, system optimizations, and refinements as the software moves closer to its public release.
Users upgrading from the first public beta can expect a more stable experience, while anyone installing the beta for the first time will gain access to the complete watchOS 27 feature set.
watchOS 27 Brings Siri AI to Apple Watch
The biggest addition in watchOS 27 is Siri AI, Apple’s next generation assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. While the AI models run on a paired iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, Siri AI is fully accessible from Apple Watch through a dedicated Siri app.
With Siri AI, users can ask more natural questions, search the web, understand personal context, and complete actions across apps. The dedicated Siri app also makes it easier to continue conversations directly from your wrist.
watchOS 27 also introduces a redesigned dynamic app grid that’s accessible by pressing the Digital Crown, placing the Siri app front and center alongside your other apps.
Smarter Fitness and Everyday Features
watchOS 27 expands Workout Buddy by allowing it to work even when your paired iPhone isn’t nearby, making it more useful during outdoor workouts and gym sessions.
Apple has also improved Smart Stack with new contextual suggestions for finding your parked car, quickly accessing transit cards, and receiving birthday reminders. A new gesture for selecting Smart Stack widgets makes navigating the interface feel faster and more intuitive.
The update also introduces a unified Find My app with Precision Finding support, while treadmill walking and running workouts benefit from improved distance tracking for greater accuracy.
Together with numerous under the hood optimizations, these changes make watchOS 27 one of the most capable Apple Watch updates in recent years.
How to Install watchOS 27 Public Beta 2
Anyone enrolled in Apple’s Beta Software Program can install watchOS 27 Public Beta 2 for free.
On your paired iPhone, open the Watch app, then go to General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select watchOS 27 Public Beta. Return to Software Update to download and install the latest beta.
Because beta software may contain bugs or affect battery life, Apple recommends installing it only if you’re comfortable testing pre-release software.
watchOS 27 Compatibility
watchOS 27 is available for supported Apple Watch models. However, Siri AI requires a paired iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, as AI processing is handled on the iPhone rather than the Apple Watch itself.
Apple is expected to continue releasing additional beta updates throughout the summer before watchOS 27 is released to all users this fall.
