Apple has introduced watchOS 26 at its WWDC 2025 on Tuesday, the newest model of its Apple Watch software program. The replace brings a brand new design and smarter options centered on health, messaging, and day by day use.
Recent look with ‘Liquid Glass’
watchOS 26 introduces a brand new design model known as Liquid Glass. This provides easy, clear results to components of the display like widgets, notifications, and the Management Centre. The adjustments make apps look extra fashionable whereas holding the structure simple to make use of. The Pictures watch face additionally will get a brand new look, with numbers fabricated from Liquid Glass to raised spotlight photos.
Exercise Buddy brings private teaching
One of many largest new options is Exercise Buddy. This software makes use of Apple Intelligence to behave like a digital coach. It provides spoken suggestions and motivation throughout exercises, utilizing your individual health knowledge, reminiscent of coronary heart fee, distance, and progress in your Exercise rings.
For instance, it would say, “You’re 18 minutes away from closing your Train ring,” or, “That was your longest run this month.” The voice is generated utilizing AI, and based mostly on voices of actual Health+ trainers.
Exercise Buddy helps widespread exercises like operating, strolling, biking, HIIT, and power coaching. It really works in English for now, and desires a supported iPhone close by with Bluetooth headphones.
Simpler exercise controls and music
The Exercise app now has a brand new structure, making it simpler to begin and management exercises. 4 new buttons let customers shortly entry options like Custom Workouts and Race Route.
You can too set music or podcasts to play routinely when a exercise begins. Apple Music will counsel playlists based mostly in your exercise sort and what you often hearken to.
Smarter alerts and one-handed gestures
watchOS 26 provides a brand new “wrist flick” gesture. In the event you raise your wrist to test a notification however don’t need to take care of it, you’ll be able to flick your wrist to dismiss it. This works for calls, alarms, and timers too. It makes use of sensors and AI to know the motion.
The watch may even now modify the sound of alerts based mostly on how noisy your environment are, serving to you keep conscious with out disturbing others.
Higher messaging with translations
Apple Watch now helps stay translation within the Messages app. This implies incoming texts may be translated into your chosen language, and your replies will also be translated again. It will work on newer Apple Watch fashions, if used with a supported iPhone.
Messages may even counsel good actions — for instance, providing to begin a Verify In if somebody asks you to allow them to know if you attain house, or suggesting Apple Money for those who’re requested to pitch in for a present.
Smarter good stack options
Good Stack, the scrollable group of widgets, now provides higher options based mostly in your habits, location, and exercise. For example, it would remind you to begin a exercise if you arrive on the gymnasium.
New apps and accessibility instruments
The Notes app is now out there on Apple Watch. You may view, pin, and create notes utilizing your voice or the keyboard. The Pictures face will now present extra significant pictures out of your library.
For customers who’re deaf or arduous of listening to, Live Listen is now simpler to make use of from the Watch. You can begin or cease listening periods on a paired iPhone, and see real-time captions in your wrist.
New instruments within the Telephone app, like Maintain Help and Name Screening, assist handle calls. Maintain Help lets you already know when an actual individual joins the road throughout a help name. Name Screening checks unknown callers by asking for his or her title and cause for calling earlier than ringing your telephone.
Launch particulars
watchOS 26 is out there now for builders and could have a public beta subsequent month. The complete launch is predicted later this 12 months. Will probably be a free replace for Apple Watch Collection 6 or newer, together with the second-gen SE and Extremely fashions. Some options, particularly these utilizing Apple Intelligence, want newer iPhones just like the iPhone 15 Professional or iPhone 16 fashions.
Not all options will probably be out there in each area or language, and Apple says particulars may change earlier than launch.
