watchOS 26 Beta Causes Issues for Apple Watch Hermès Edition Owners
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
The latest version of the watchOS 26 beta is causing problems for owners of the premium Hermès edition Apple Watch. The second developer beta of watchOS 26 is resulting in crashes, overheating, and pairing issues for these users. According to Apple's official release notes, the company has confirmed the bug and is advising Hermès users not to install the beta until a fix is released. The issues are specific to Hermès Apple Watch models with exclusive faces and styling. Users who have installed watchOS 26 beta 2 report persistent crashing, overheating, and sometimes an inability to charge the device. In addition to these issues, users who paired a Hermès watch with an iPhone running iOS 26 beta 2 have encountered problems when trying to open the Apple Watch app. Unpairing the watch allows the app to function, but re-pairing fails. Although Apple has not yet pulled the beta from circulation, developers are advised to avoid installing it if they own an affected model. There is currently no timeline for a fix. It is worth noting that early software versions for apps and operating systems can be unpredictable and are not meant for primary devices. Developer betas showcase new features but can introduce serious bugs. Apple is expected to address the Hermès crash in upcoming builds of watchOS 26 and iOS 26. Until then, users who rely on their Hermès Apple Watch should avoid updating. Developers can monitor the Apple Developer Center for any formal rollback or patch announcements. Apple will likely provide a targeted fix before the public beta begins its rollout. For now, owners of Apple Watch Hermès editions are advised to skip beta 2.