The Top New Features in Apple WatchOS 26

This twelvemonth at WWDC 2025, Apple introduced a alternatively drastic alteration to its naming conventions. What should beryllium nan upcoming WatchOS 12 will now beryllium WatchOS 26 erstwhile it launches successful nan fall, since nan institution decided to extremity labeling its operating systems sequentially and alternatively sanction them according to nan fiscal twelvemonth they are released. Every OS now besides has a new, overhauled show artistic called Liquid Glass, which makes definite apps, icons, buttons, and pop-ups look for illustration frosted solid and different features look for illustration raindrops.

Other than that, anticipated caller Apple Intelligence features to astir of nan company’s merchandise lineup were small and measured alternatively than large and sweeping—but for Apple Watch fans, nan truth that location is now Apple Intelligence connected your wrist astatine each mightiness beryllium enough. Here, we locomotion done immoderate of nan caller tips and tricks that you will commencement seeing connected your Apple Watch this year.

Is Your Apple Watch Compatible?

WatchOS 26 will beryllium disposable for Apple Watches starting from nan Series 6 aliases later. This includes nan second-gen Apple Watch SE and each Apple Watch Ultra models. You must besides person an iPhone 11 aliases later that tin tally nan upcoming iOS 26. If you want nan Apple Intelligence features, you request to person an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, which includes nan iPhone 15, nan iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models.

When Will WatchOS 26 Be Available?

You tin download WatchOS 26 arsenic a developer beta today, but don't expect it to beryllium perfect. A nationalist beta will rotation retired adjacent period astatine beta.apple.com and WatchOS 26 will beryllium disposable arsenic a free package update to compatible Watch models this fall.

The Top WatchOS 26 Features

Liquid Glass

Unfortunately, astir of nan Liquid Glass redesigns person been optimized for nan bigger screens of nan Mac, iPhone, and iPad. But hey, look, nan numerals connected nan timepiece look now person a translucent frost! You tin besides spot flimsy specular highlights astir nan edges of nan buttons erstwhile you look closely. Smart Stack—Apple's layered widget system—will besides utilize Liquid Glass truthful arsenic not to obscure nan screen.

Workout Buddy

Workout Buddy uses each nan workout information accumulated by nan Apple Watch—heart rate, pace, distance, etc.—and uses it to connection personalized, upbeat encouragement (“you crushed it!”) during your workout session. Apple Intelligence analyzes your information to supply these insights and to usage sound encouragement derived from Fitness+ trainers. It tin besides people cardinal moments, for illustration moving a mile peculiarly fast. It's disposable for conscionable a fewer exercises, for illustration indoor and outdoor stepping aliases running, outdoor cycling, functional and accepted spot training, and HIIT—and yes, you tin move it disconnected if nan thought of a cheerleader successful your receptor is hellhole for you too.

The Workout app itself has besides undergone a redesign, pinch 4 buttons successful nan 4 corners of nan watch look to make it easier to pat connected each feature. Users tin group up euphony and podcasts wrong nan Workout app, and Apple Music tin either prime euphony aliases supply suggestions for an due playlist.

Smart Stack

Smart Stack will now incorporated much contextual data, for illustration location and nan user's routine, to supply much adjuvant tips. For example, if you get astatine nan gym astatine your accustomed time, your Apple Watch whitethorn people your location and descent a workout regular to nan apical of your Smart Stack.

Messages and Notifications

If you ain a Watch Series 9, Watch Series 10, aliases Apple Watch Ultra 2, you will now beryllium capable to usage a caller wrist-flick motion (much for illustration Double Tap) to disregard notifications aliases incoming calls, soundlessness timers, and return to nan timepiece face. A machine-learning exemplary uses information from nan accelerometer and gyroscope to drawback nan user's wrist movement.

The Watch now besides supports Live Translation successful Messages (again, you will request an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone). If your connection is group to English, nan watch will connection prompts successful Messages, for illustration suggesting Apple Cash if nan personification is asked for a donation. Call Screening and Hold Assist will besides travel to nan telephone app connected nan watch, letting users determine whether to return aliases diminution calls aliases inquire for much information.

As usual, location are caller timepiece faces to take from. And you will finally beryllium capable to usage nan Notes app connected nan watch, which whitethorn beryllium much important to some of us than others.