Apple unveils watchOS 26 with new design & smart features
Apple has previewed watchOS 26, highlighting a new design and enhanced features intended to offer a more personalised user experience for Apple Watch owners.
Among the most notable updates is the introduction of a redesigned interface featuring Liquid Glass, which Apple says aims to make navigation and controls more expressive while maintaining the watch's familiar usability. Features benefiting from this design include the Smart Stack, Control Centre, the Photos watch face, and in-app navigation elements.
Another key addition is Workout Buddy, which utilises Apple Intelligence to deliver personalised, spoken motivation during exercise sessions. By analysing users' workout data and fitness history privately and securely, Workout Buddy provides real-time motivational insights through a generative voice influenced by Fitness+ trainer recordings. The new experience also includes music recommendations aligned with individual preferences and workout types.
"Apple Watch is an indispensable companion for millions of people around the world, and watchOS 26 uses intelligence to offer an even more personalised experience," said David Clark, Apple's Senior Director of watchOS Engineering. "From a gorgeous new design, to Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence, personalised music suggestions in the Workout app, and more intelligence in the Smart Stack and Messages, we're excited about the many ways watchOS 26 will support each user in staying active, healthy, connected, and safe throughout their day."
Workout Buddy offers features such as kilometre split updates, personal milestone announcements, and post-workout summaries with statistics and encouragement. An example message might include: "Way to get out for your run this Wednesday morning. You're 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring. So far this week, you've run 6 kilometres. You're going to add to that today." The system also delivers milestone notifications, such as "Your total running distance for the year just crossed the 200-kilometre mark! That's a lot of running!"
Upon completing a workout, users receive a recap: "Way to get your workout in! You went 6.9 kilometres in just over 38 minutes. Your average pace was 5 minutes and 34 seconds, and your average heart rate was 128. That was your longest run of the last 28 days. What will you do next?" Workout Buddy requires an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby and will initially be available in English for selected workout types, including running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training, when using Apple Watch with Bluetooth headphones.
Redesigned fitness app
The Workout app itself has received its most significant update since its launch, introducing a new layout and navigation. Four new corner buttons aim to simplify access to custom workout features such as Workout Views, Custom Workout, Pacer, and Race Route. Users can now configure music and podcasts to play automatically when a workout is started, with Apple Music selecting playlists based on workout type and taste, or suggesting recent favourites.
Smarter Smart Stack
The Smart Stack now incorporates improved prediction algorithms and contextual data, delivering proactive 'hints' that appear as visual prompts on the display. Examples include suggesting Backtrack functionality in remote areas or prompting a Pilates workout when users arrive at a familiar location and time.
Updates to Messages
Live Translation is now available in Messages for supported Apple Watch models when paired with a compatible iPhone, translating both incoming and outgoing texts in real time into the user's preferred language. English language users will see more relevant action suggestions within Messages; for example, initiating a 'Check In' when asked about arrival time or using Apple Cash when prompted to contribute to group gifts. Customisable conversation backgrounds and the ability to respond to polls directly from the watch are also included. Smart Replies are enhanced with improved language models for more precise responses.
New gestures and notifications
watchOS 26 introduces a wrist flick gesture allowing users to dismiss notifications, calls, timers, alarms, or return to the watch face with a single hand. The gesture complements the existing double tap function and is intended for situations when the other hand is occupied. The system leverages the watch's sensors and machine learning to detect the movement. Additionally, Apple Watch now adjusts speaker volume automatically based on ambient noise for notifications, timers, calls, and Siri.
Additional updates
The Notes app comes to Apple Watch, enabling access to, creation of, and management of notes directly on the wrist. New features in the Phone app, such as Hold Assist and Call Screening, require a nearby iPhone and support selected languages. Live Listen controls for users who are deaf or hard of hearing now include live captions of iPhone audio on the watch and remote management of Live Listen sessions.
The Photos watch face now shuffles images based on featured content, displaying personal moments on the wrist. The watch face gallery has been redesigned for easier exploration, offering grouped collections.
Developer tools
Developers have access to new APIs supporting the updated design and features in watchOS 26, including the ability to add custom controls to the Control Centre and Smart Stack, and introduce third-party widgets with new relevance signals such as Points of Interest.
watchOS 26 will be available as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and all Apple Watch Ultra models when paired with iPhone 11 or higher. Apple Intelligence features require compatible devices and selected languages.
