Apple seeded the second watchOS 10.5 release candidate (RC 2) to developers on May 8, 2024, one day after watchOS 10.5 RC 1. It was a near-final test build for app compatibility—not a public Apple Watch update. Apple’s headline user-facing addition was the Pride Radiance watch face, while developer notes recorded StoreKit fixes. The public watchOS 10.5 release followed on May 13, 2024.
What Apple released on May 8, 2024
watchOS 10.5 RC 2 was distributed through Apple’s developer beta channel. A release candidate is a late-stage build intended for final testing before customer release; it can still change before the public version ships. Apple’s developer documentation describes RC software as suitable for developing, testing and submitting apps to App Store Connect, but it remains pre-release software.
RC 2 arrived one day after RC 1, which Apple seeded on May 7. That short interval may indicate last-minute changes or additional validation, but Apple did not document a specific bug as the reason for the second candidate. No reliably verified RC 2 build number is available in the cited sources, so it should not be inferred from forum or social-media reports.
| Milestone | Date | What it meant |
|---|---|---|
| watchOS 10.5 RC 1 | May 7, 2024 | First release candidate for developer testing |
| watchOS 10.5 RC 2 | May 8, 2024 | Second near-final candidate for developers |
| Public watchOS 10.5 | May 13, 2024 | Consumer release for Apple Watch Series 4 and later |
Sources: MacRumors’ contemporaneous report and Apple’s security-release page.
#1 Best Overall
- S9 SiP Processor: Advanced processor improves overall performance and enables on-device Siri functionality.
What was new in watchOS 10.5?
Pride Radiance watch face
The principal visible addition was Pride Radiance, a face Apple described as honoring LGBTQ+ community and culture. Apple’s public update notes highlighted the face rather than a broad redesign, so watchOS 10.5 is best understood as a small point release focused on this addition, fixes and security work.
The face’s presence in the RC does not mean every watchOS feature behaves identically on every model. Compatibility and performance can vary by hardware.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
StoreKit fixes for watchOS apps
Apple’s watchOS 10.5 release notes listed two fixes relevant to apps using StoreKit:
- A crash involving the Terms of Service button in
SubscriptionStoreView. - A failure in which
ExternalPurchaseLink.open()did not open the external purchase URL.
These are developer-facing corrections, not new consumer features. Apple’s notes also associate the watchOS 10.5 SDK with Xcode 15.4. Check the Xcode 15.4 release notes and your project’s SDK settings before changing a development machine; the evidence does not establish that Xcode 15.4 was mandatory for every possible form of testing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
![Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS 45mm] Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41kWVSqR4rL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. The S9 chip enables a superbright display and a magical new way to quickly and easily interact with your Apple Watch without touching the screen. Advanced health, safety, and activity features provide powerful insights and help when you need it. And redesigned apps in watchOS give you more information at a glance.
- CARBON NEUTRAL — An aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 paired with the latest Sport Loop is carbon neutral. Learn more about Apple’s commitment to the environment at apple.com/2030.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular heart rhythm. See how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with sleep stages. Temperature sensing provides insights into overall wellbeing and cycle tracking. And take note of your state of mind to help build emotional awareness and resilience.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS PARTNER — The Workout app gives you a range of ways to train plus advanced metrics for more insights about your workout performance. And Apple Watch comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ free.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Fall Detection and Crash Detection can connect you with emergency services in the event of a hard fall or a severe car crash. And Emergency SOS lets you call for help with the press of a button.
How developers installed the RC during the 2024 beta period
The following is the historical path used for the watchOS 10.5 beta period, not a promise that Apple’s menus are identical in 2026. Apple’s enrollment and beta settings have changed over time.
- On the paired iPhone, open Settings.
- Choose General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
- Select Developer beta. Contemporaneous coverage said the Apple Account had to be linked to a developer account.
- Open the Apple Watch app and tap My Watch > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
- Select the developer beta and enter the iPhone or watch passcode if requested.
- Keep the iPhone and watch close together on Wi-Fi.
- Charge the watch to at least 50 percent and leave it on its charger while the update installs.
Back up the iPhone and watch before installing. Apple’s current beta guidance warns that pre-release software can cause serious problems. Read the applicable instructions at Apple’s beta software support page before using any beta channel.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS, 45mm] - Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band, S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HNzDmz9wL._SL160_.jpg)
- S9 SiP Processor: Advanced processor improves overall performance and enables on-device Siri functionality.
What developers should test against the near-final build
- Install, launch and update the app on both a simulator and a physical watch where possible.
- Check complications, watch-face interactions, notifications and background refresh.
- Exercise workout, Health and sensor-dependent flows on real hardware.
- Test subscription purchase and restoration paths, including the
SubscriptionStoreViewTerms of Service control. - Verify that
ExternalPurchaseLink.open()reaches the intended external URL. - Measure performance, battery behavior and connectivity under ordinary use.
- Test the oldest Apple Watch model your app supports as well as newer hardware.
- Review the complete SDK release notes for API changes, known issues, workarounds and deprecations before submitting to App Store Connect.
The simulator is useful and inexpensive, but it cannot fully reproduce physical-watch battery drain, sensors, haptics, charging or every device-specific workflow. A dedicated development watch reduces the risk of disabling a daily-use device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should an ordinary Apple Watch owner install RC 2?
Generally, no. RC 2 was intended for developers who deliberately test pre-release software, and the public release was only five days away. A primary watch used for health, workouts, notifications or safety is a poor beta target. Wait for the public update unless you have a specific compatibility-testing reason and an alternative watch.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
An RC is closer to final software than an early beta, but “release candidate” does not mean guaranteed stable, identical to the public build or safe for everyone. Apple Watch recovery options can also be more restrictive than recovery on an iPhone or Mac.
If the installation fails
- Update does not appear: confirm that Developer beta is selected in both the iPhone’s Software Update settings and the Apple Watch app, and verify that the account has the applicable beta access.
- Installation will not start: put the watch on its charger, confirm at least 50 percent battery, keep the devices nearby and ensure the iPhone has Wi-Fi.
- The watch shows a recovery state or red information icon: follow Apple’s current support instructions. Apple says a force restart can be attempted by holding the side button and Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- The problem persists: Apple’s guidance says the watch may require service. Apple retail stores and authorized service providers cannot perform that particular beta restore service, according to the current developer support page.
Those recovery details come from Apple’s current documentation and may not describe every condition of the 2024 RC 2 seed.
How RC 2 relates to the public watchOS 10.5 release
Apple released watchOS 10.5 publicly on May 13, 2024, for Apple Watch Series 4 and later. Apple’s watchOS 10 update notes include Pride Radiance, while the separate security page records fixes in components including AppleAVD, AppleMobileFileIntegrity, Core Data, Kernel, Maps, Messages, Shortcuts, Spotlight, Transparency and WebKit.
That security page documents the final public release, not RC 2 specifically. It therefore should not be used to claim that every listed security fix was present in the developer candidate. Likewise, the available sources do not prove that RC 2 and the May 13 public build were bit-for-bit identical.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Bottom line for developers
watchOS 10.5 RC 2 was primarily a final compatibility checkpoint: install it on controlled test hardware, build with the Xcode 15.4-era SDK, and exercise StoreKit and device-specific workflows. For everyone else, the sensible choice was to wait five days for the public watchOS 10.5 release rather than risk a primary watch for a near-final beta.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
