Apple Releases watchOS 26.1 Release Candidate to Apple Watch Users

On October 29, Apple pushed the watchOS 26.1 Release Candidate (RC) update to Apple Watch users. This release, identified by the internal build number 23S36, arrives just 8 days after the previous Beta / RC version was seeded to developers and testers, signaling that a public release is just around the corner.

watchOS 26.1

While the specific new features in this RC build are not yet detailed, it is expected to contain important bug fixes and performance improvements. This update aims to refine the major features introduced in watchOS 26, which included a new liquid glass design, the Notes app, new swipe gestures for navigation, and the integration of Apple Intelligence capabilities.

watchOS 26.1

For those interested in installing beta software, the process is straightforward. To get the Public Beta, you must register for the Apple Beta Software Program, then navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates to upgrade. To access the Developer Preview, you need an Apple Developer Program account and can upgrade through the same Software Update menu in Settings.

The release of watchOS 26.1 RC follows a comprehensive beta testing cycle. The recent release history for watchOS 26 includes: 2025-10-21: watchOS 26.1 Beta 4 (23S5031a); 2025-10-14: watchOS 26.1 Beta 3 (23S5022e); 2025-10-07: watchOS 26.1 Beta 2 (23S5017d); 2025-09-30: watchOS 26.0.1 (23R8362); 2025-09-30: watchOS 26.0.2 (23R362 | 23R8362); 2025-09-23: watchOS 26.1 Beta (23S5002i); 2025-09-16: watchOS 26 (23R352); and 2025-09-10: watchOS 26 RC (23R351).

The earlier beta versions trace back through September and August, with builds including: 2025-09-03: watchOS 26 Beta 9 (23R5350b); 2025-08-26: watchOS 26 Beta 8 (23R5350a); 2025-08-19: watchOS 26 Beta 7 (23R5346a); 2025-08-12: watchOS 26 Beta 6 (23R5340a); 2025-08-06: watchOS 26 Beta 5 (23R5328g); 2025-07-23: watchOS 26 Beta 4 (23R5317g); 2025-07-08: watchOS 26 Beta 3 (23R5307g); 2025-06-24: watchOS 26 Beta 2 (23R5296f); and the initial 2025-06-10: watchOS 26 Beta (23R5280m).

Torna al blog

Related Posts

  • _{region} ( _{language} )

    • _{area}

    _{region}
    _{language}