Apple Seeds watchOS 4 Golden Master to Developers - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Seeds watchOS 4 Golden Master to Developers

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM version) of watchOS 4 to developers following a beta testing period that saw the company release a total of eight betas. The golden master version of watchOS 4 represents the version of the software that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 19.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS 4 golden master can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.


watchOS 4 brings three new watch faces, including a dedicated Siri watch face that displays dynamic information unique to each individual user. There are new complications for Now Playing and Apple News, and an enhanced Workout app that supports High Intensity Interval Training and new swimming options.

GymKit, new in watchOS 4, lets the Apple Watch interface with gym equipment for workout data sharing purposes, and the Activity app has been updated to provide intelligent coaching, monthly activity challenges, and tailored workout encouragement.

Starting a workout is faster than ever with a new Quickstart interface, there's a new look for Apple Music, and with under-the-hood improvements, third-party apps are faster than ever and can do more.

Apple plans to release watchOS 4 to the public on Tuesday, September 19, three days ahead of when the new Apple Watch Series 3 will be available to consumers.

For more on what's new in watchOS 4, make sure to check out our watchOS 4 roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Released Yet Another New Product Today

Friday March 20, 2026 2:39 pm PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping nine new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, AirPods Max 2, and now the Nike Powerbeats Pro 2. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 pastel

iOS 26.4: Top 10 New Features Coming to Your iPhone

Friday March 20, 2026 2:44 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 isn't the major update with new Siri features that we hoped for, but there are some useful quality of life improvements, and a little bit of fun with an AI playlist generator and new emoji characters. Playlist Playground - Apple Music has a Playlist Playground option that lets you generate playlists from text-based descriptions. You can include moods, feelings, activities, or...

Top Rated Comments

BaggieBoy Avatar
111 months ago
Is this not a public beta?
There isn't (and probably never will be) a public beta for watchOS.

If you are not a developer, you will have to wait until the official release.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
111 months ago
Just installed the GM. I'm not seeing the new HR monitor functionality nor am I seeing the red arms on the faces (assuming this is for LTE only).

Has anyone on WatchOS 4 been able to get the watch to sync to fitness equipment yet?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
realpras Avatar
111 months ago
Yup I've had the beta profile installed for weeks, updated my phone to GM but I can't see any update past OS 3 on the watch.
same here, just updated to iOS 11 with no problem but no watchOS 4 for me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
midkay Avatar
111 months ago
The heart rate capabilities were the best part. I liked the in depth Monitoring aspect.
Agree, really looking forward to having this kind of unique data the watch collects better exposed and proactively monitored. A great idea.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
111 months ago
The heart rate capabilities were the best part. I liked the in depth Monitoring aspect.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Ipad | Buyers Guide | South Africa | Politics | Technology