watchOS 26 Is Here: Everything New Coming to Your Wrist

Apple has announced watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and it’s all about making the Apple Watch feel more personal, helpful, and intelligent (if your watch supports it of course). The update brings a refreshed design, smarter fitness tracking, better messaging, and new one-handed controls. Here’s a full rundown of what’s coming later this fall.

One of the newest features is the Workout Buddy, but that requires Apple Intelligence, so you need a compatible watch. Also new is live translation with messages and a one-handed wrist flick gesture.

Refreshed Design with Liquid Glass

• Liquid Glass UI: A new translucent effect across apps, controls, and notifications.
• Photos Watch Face: Now shows translucent numerals so your photo takes center stage.
• Smart Stack & Control Center: Redesigned with the new visual style while staying familiar.

Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence

• Spoken Coaching: Gives real-time motivation and personalized workout stats.
• Contextual Insights: Tracks your weekly goals, milestones, and pace.
• Trainer Voice: Uses Apple Fitness+ voice models for energetic, natural speech.
• Supported Workouts: Outdoor/Indoor Run, Walk, Cycle, HIIT, Strength Training.
• Requires: Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and Bluetooth headphones.

Workout App Improvements

• New Layout: Four corner buttons give fast access to customization tools.
• Auto-Play Music/Podcasts: Starts media based on workout type and taste.
• Suggested Playlists: Offers recommendations based on recent listening history.

Smarter Smart Stack

• Smart Stack Hints: Context-aware suggestions based on time, location, and habits.
• Use Case Examples: Prompts for Backtrack when off-grid or workout reminders at your usual time.

Messages on Watch Get Smarter

• Live Translation: Automatically translates texts on your wrist.
• Contextual Actions: Suggests Check In, Apple Cash, and more based on the conversation.
• Custom Backgrounds: Pulled from iPhone for a personalized feel.
• Poll Responses: Vote in group chats directly from your watch.
• Improved Smart Replies: More accurate responses based on conversation content.

New One-Handed Wrist Flick Gesture

• Wrist Flick: Dismiss notifications, silence alarms, or return to the watch face.
• Sensors + AI: Uses accelerometer and gyroscope plus a machine learning model.
• Auto Volume Adjustment: Speaker adapts volume based on surrounding noise.

More Features in watchOS 26

• Notes App: View, pin, edit, and create notes using Siri, keyboard, or dictation.
• Hold Assist: Alerts you when a live agent is ready during customer support calls.
• Call Screening: Collects name and reason for unknown calls before ringing.
• Live Listen with Captions: Captions what your iPhone hears on your Apple Watch.
• Photo Shuffle Face: Cycles through meaningful images using Featured Photos.
• Redesigned Watch Face Gallery: Easier browsing on both iPhone and Apple Watch.

Developer Tools

• Control Widget API: Add custom app controls to Control Center and Smart Stack.
• Smart Stack Relevance API: Widgets can appear based on location or context.

Availability

• Developer Beta: Available now
• Public Beta: Coming next month
• Final Release: Fall 2025
• Supported Devices: Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), all Apple Watch Ultra models
• Apple Intelligence Support: Requires iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max or iPhone 16 series