Apple has announced watchOS 26, the latest version of its Apple Watch operating system, aligning its naming with iOS 26. The update introduces Workout Buddy, an AI-driven fitness feature designed to provide personalized motivation and real-time insights during workouts.
The new watchOS features a redesigned interface with a Liquid Glass effect, enhancing elements like Smart Stack, Control Center, and the Photos watch face to offer a more expressive and vibrant experience while maintaining familiar navigation.
Workout Buddy leverages Apple Intelligence to analyze a user’s workout data and fitness history, delivering spoken encouragement and milestone notifications. It uses heart rate, pace, distance, Activity rings, and other metrics to provide tailored feedback during activities such as running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training. This feature requires Bluetooth headphones and an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone and will initially support English.
The Workout app receives its largest redesign since launch, featuring four corner buttons for easy access to customizable workout options, including Workout Views and Race Route. It also integrates personalized music and podcast recommendations from Apple Music based on workout type and user preferences.
Smart Stack improves with enhanced prediction algorithms that use contextual and sensor data to offer proactive hints as gentle visual prompts on the display. For instance, it may suggest location-based features like Backtrack or prompt a workout based on routine time and place.
Updates to Messages include Live Translation capabilities for incoming and outgoing texts on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models paired with supported iPhones. English users benefit from smarter contextual action suggestions and customizable conversation backgrounds synced from iPhone. Poll responses and more accurate on-device Smart Replies are also added.
A new one-handed wrist flick gesture allows quick dismissal of notifications, calls, timers, and alarms on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2. This gesture uses motion sensors and machine learning to interpret wrist movements, enabling hands-free interaction when multitasking.
Additional enhancements include:
- Notes app availability on Apple Watch with voice, dictation, and keyboard support.
- Hold Assist and Call Screening in the Phone app to manage calls more efficiently.
- Live Listen controls with real-time captions to assist users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Photos face updates to shuffle Featured images automatically.
- A redesigned watch face gallery on Apple Watch and iPhone for easier face discovery.
Developers gain new SwiftUI APIs to adopt the Liquid Glass design and can utilize Control Widget and Smart Stack Relevance APIs to create custom controls and integrate third-party widgets that respond to location and other signals.
Overall, watchOS 26 focuses on personalization, accessibility, and smarter features to keep users active, connected, and informed throughout their day.