Apple Watch Gets Major Upgrade with WatchOS 26: AI Features and Design Overhaul

Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features in WatchOS 26

Apple announced several new features coming to WatchOS 26 at its annual software conference, WWDC, on Monday in Cupertino. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple's platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed The highly anticipated event had spectators curious about the tech giant's future in AI after several hiccups and detours in its previously announced products, like Apple Intelligence and AI-infused Siri. In addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced developments in AI, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, iOS, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs. Here are the features we're most excited to try out on WatchOS 26. Your Apple Watch interface, along with the rest of your Apple devices, is getting the Liquid Glass design treatment. Apple's "broadest design update ever" introduces a fluid and clear across-platform display overhaul inspired by VisionOS's visual interface. Also: The 10 Apple Watch features that convinced me to switch to the wearable full-time This will change how your Smart Stack, notifications, icons, and more appear. Icons on your watch's lock screen or app page will look clear instead of their current opaque appearance, reflecting the light on your wallpaper or on apps. The next time you record a workout on the Fitness app, you'll have a personal fitness coach waiting for you. AI-powered Workout Buddy uses your fitness data history it has gathered through the app, to provide you with real-time insights during your workout. Workout Buddy rapidly considers your fitness history, paces, Activity Rings, Training Load, and more to deliver feedback and encouragement ahead of, during, and after your exercise. It is available in English for these workout types: Outdoor and Indoor Run, Outdoor and Indoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, and Functional and Traditional Strength Training. Also: I switched to the Apple Watch after a four-year hiatus - here's why it's near perfect now Workouts are also getting a facelift with more customizable workout and race route features. The Workout app has four new buttons for further customization, including Goals, Custom, Pacer, and Race Route. Apple Watch users can additionally select playlists or podcasts they regularly listen to during workouts within the Workout app. Smart Stack's prediction algorithm is improving. The algorithm now includes more contextual data, like sensor and routine data, to hint at certain apps or functionalities. For example, a hint for the Functional Strength Training workout might pop up once you enter your gym in the morning, or the Backtrack hint might pop up once Apple Watch registers you're in a location with no cellular connectivity. Apple Watch Notifications are getting, thankfully, self-aware. Instead of loudly pinging you in silent environments, the new feature interprets the ambient noise of your environment to adjust your notification volume while delivering a text or app update. Apple Intelligence brings Live Translation to Messages in Apple Watch. The AI-powered feature translates conversations to a user's preferred language on their wrist. Also: I was on the fence with the Apple Watch 10, but these 3 features changed my mind The feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, and it currently supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (simplified). Apple Watch will use the context clues from your Messages to suggest relevant actions, like sending a Check-In when a user is on their way home or an Apple Cash pop-up when a friend sends you the dinner bill. Apple also says that Smart Replies are getting even smarter with its on-device language model, which provides "precise" and "relevant" responses to conversations. Move over Double Tap. A new hand motion just dropped for the Apple Watch. Wrist Flick is designed for dismissing notifications and calls, or silence pings. All a user has to do is turn their wrist.

Your Apple Watch is getting a big upgrade. Here are the 8 best features in WatchOS 26

It's Apple Watch obsessives's favorite time of the year when the tech giant rolls out all of the newest apps and updates coming to its devices over the next few months. Apple announced several new features coming to WatchOS 26 at its annual software conference, WWDC, on Monday in Cupertino. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple's platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year the software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed The highly anticipated event had spectators curious about the tech giant's future in AI after several hiccups and detours in its previously announced products, like Apple Intelligence and AI-infused Siri. In addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, iOS, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs. Here are the features we're most excited to try out on WatchOS 26. Your Apple Watch interface, along with the rest of your Apple devices, is getting the Liquid Glass design treatment. Apple's "broadest design update ever" introduces a fluid and clear across-platform display overhaul inspired by VisionOS's visual interface. Liquid Glass can reflect or refract whatever is behind or in front of it to create a transparent, glassy look. Also: The 10 Apple Watch features that convinced me to switch to the wearable full-time This will change how your Smart Stack, notifications, icons, and more appear. Icons on your watch's lock screen or app page will look clear instead of their current opaque appearance, reflecting the light on your wallpaper or on apps. The next time you record a workout on the Fitness app, you'll have a personal fitness coach waiting for you. AI-powered Workout Buddy uses your fitness data history it has gathered through the app, to provide you with real-time insights during your workout. Workout Buddy rapidly considers your fitness history, paces, Activity Rings, Training Load, and more to deliver feedback and encouragement ahead of, during, and after your exercise. It is available in English for these workout types: Outdoor and Indoor Run, Outdoor and Indoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, and Functional and Traditional Strength Training. It's about time Apple debuts an AI health feature that incorporates personalized data insights. Other wearables, like Oura and Whoop, have health coaches or advisors that create reports or customize activity recommendations based on a user's activity levels and behaviors. I'm excited to test out this feature and see how it compares to the competition. Also: I switched to the Apple Watch after a four-year hiatus - here's why it's near perfect now Workouts are also getting a facelift with more customizable workout and race route features. The Workout app has four new buttons for further customization, including Goals, Custom, Pacer, and Race Route. Apple Watch users can additionally select playlists or podcasts they regularly listen to during workouts within the Workout app. Smart Stack's prediction algorithm is improving. The algorithm now includes more contextual data, like sensor and routine data, to hint at certain apps or functionalities. For example, a hint for the Functional Strength Training workout might pop up once you enter your gym in the morning, or the Backtrack hint might pop up once Apple Watch registers you're in a location with no cellular connectivity. Apple Watch Notifications are getting, thankfully, self-aware. Instead of loudly pinging you in silent environments -- something that constantly happens to me in my quiet office -- the new feature interprets the ambient noise of your environment to adjust your notification volume while delivering a text or app update. Apple Intelligence brings Live Translation to Messages in Apple Watch. The AI-powered feature translates conversations to a user's preferred language on their wrist. Also: I was on the fence with the Apple Watch 10, but these 3 features changed my mind The feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, and it currently supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (simplified). Apple Watch will use the context clues from your Messages to suggest relevant actions, like sending a Check-In when a user is on their way home or an Apple Cash pop-up when a friend sends you the dinner bill. Apple also says that Smart Replies are getting even smarter with its on-device language model, which provides "precise" and "relevant" responses to conversations. Move over Double Tap. A new hand motion just dropped for the Apple Watch. Wrist Flick is designed for dismissing notifications and calls, or silence pings. All a user has to do is turn their wrist. The Notes app arrives on Apple Watch. As does Hold Assist and Call Screening, two new iOS feature that notify user to return to a call on a phone call hold and screen unknown numbers. Live Listen, an accessibility feature for those deaf or hard of hearing, provides live captions on your iPhone using audio that Apple Watch monitors. The Watch acts as a remote control to start or pause these conversations. Lastly, watch faces will be easier to customize with a redesigned watch face gallery, and photo faces use custom content to shuffle images on your watch screen. You'll need an iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE in addition to following Apple Watches. Keep in mind that some Apple Intelligence-powered features, like Live Translation and Workout Buddy, require one of the following iPhone models: all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Max with Apple Intelligence enabled.

Your Apple Watch is getting a big upgrade. Here are the 8 features I can't wait to use in WatchOS 26

Your iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple-owned devices are getting a big overhaul soon. The tech giant recently rolled out all of the newest apps and updates coming to its devices over the next few months. Apple announced several new features coming to WatchOS 26 at its annual software conference, WWDC, on Monday in Cupertino. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple's platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year the software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed The highly anticipated event had spectators curious about the tech giant's future in AI after several hiccups and detours in its previously announced products, like Apple Intelligence and AI-infused Siri. In addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, iOS, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs. Here are the features we're most excited to try out on WatchOS 26. Your Apple Watch interface, along with the rest of your Apple devices, is getting the Liquid Glass design treatment. Apple's "broadest design update ever" introduces a fluid and clear across-platform display overhaul inspired by VisionOS's visual interface. Liquid Glass can reflect or refract whatever is behind or in front of it to create a transparent, glassy look. Also: The 10 Apple Watch features that convinced me to switch to the wearable full-time This will change how your Smart Stack, notifications, icons, and more appear. Icons on your watch's lock screen or app page will look clear instead of their current opaque appearance, reflecting the light on your wallpaper or on apps. The next time you record a workout on the Fitness app, you'll have a personal fitness coach waiting for you. AI-powered Workout Buddy uses your fitness data history it has gathered through the app, to provide you with real-time insights during your workout. Workout Buddy rapidly considers your fitness history, paces, Activity Rings, Training Load, and more to deliver feedback and encouragement ahead of, during, and after your exercise. It is available in English for these workout types: Outdoor and Indoor Run, Outdoor and Indoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, and Functional and Traditional Strength Training. It's about time Apple debuts an AI health feature that incorporates personalized data insights. Other wearables, like Oura and Whoop, have health coaches or advisors that create reports or customize activity recommendations based on a user's activity levels and behaviors. I'm excited to test out this feature and see how it compares to the competition. Also: I switched to the Apple Watch after a four-year hiatus - here's why it's near perfect now Workouts are also getting a facelift with more customizable workout and race route features. The Workout app has four new buttons for further customization, including Goals, Custom, Pacer, and Race Route. Apple Watch users can additionally select playlists or podcasts they regularly listen to during workouts within the Workout app. Smart Stack's prediction algorithm is improving. The algorithm now includes more contextual data, like sensor and routine data, to hint at certain apps or functionalities. For example, a hint for the Functional Strength Training workout might pop up once you enter your gym in the morning, or the Backtrack hint might pop up once Apple Watch registers you're in a location with no cellular connectivity. Apple Watch Notifications are getting, thankfully, self-aware. Instead of loudly pinging you in silent environments -- something that constantly happens to me in my quiet office -- the new feature interprets the ambient noise of your environment to adjust your notification volume while delivering a text or app update. Apple Intelligence brings Live Translation to Messages in Apple Watch. The AI-powered feature translates conversations to a user's preferred language on their wrist. Also: I was on the fence with the Apple Watch 10, but these 3 features changed my mind The feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, and it currently supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (simplified). Apple Watch will use the context clues from your Messages to suggest relevant actions, like sending a Check-In when a user is on their way home or an Apple Cash pop-up when a friend sends you the dinner bill. Apple also says that Smart Replies are getting even smarter with its on-device language model, which provides "precise" and "relevant" responses to conversations. Move over Double Tap. A new hand motion just dropped for the Apple Watch. Wrist Flick is designed for dismissing notifications and calls, or silence pings. All a user has to do is turn their wrist. The Notes app arrives on Apple Watch. As does Hold Assist and Call Screening, two new iOS feature that notify user to return to a call on a phone call hold and screen unknown numbers. Live Listen, an accessibility feature for those deaf or hard of hearing, provides live captions on your iPhone using audio that Apple Watch monitors. The Watch acts as a remote control to start or pause these conversations. Lastly, watch faces will be easier to customize with a redesigned watch face gallery, and photo faces use custom content to shuffle images on your watch screen. You'll need an iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE in addition to following Apple Watches. Keep in mind that some Apple Intelligence-powered features, like Live Translation and Workout Buddy, require one of the following iPhone models: all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Max with Apple Intelligence enabled.

Your Apple Watch just got a lot smarter with watchOS 26

At its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple announced the latest watchOS update for the Apple Watch. The new software sees more AI elements than ever land on the watch, as well as a major aesthetic redesign. And yes, as expected Cupertino has switched from traditional version numbers (the previous update, watchOS 11, was the 11th yearly update) to ones based on the year when the software will primarily be in use. The new update, which will launch to the public in September and carry on until the following fall, is named watchOS 26 after the year 2026. Earlier in the keynote, Apple announced a broad project called Liquid Glass, a sweeping cross-platform redesign affecting the interfaces of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV... and Apple Watch. So the smallest screen in Cupertino's stable gets a new look at the same time as the larger and costlier products. Liquid Glass takes its inspiration from Vision Pro and encompasses a range of visual and interactive changes. More UI elements than before are translucent, with menus and buttons constructed as layers that refract and reflect the colors and shapes beneath. Furniture is rounded and dynamic, shrinking and expanding as you navigate through the interface. Specular highlights make everything look shiny. The Apple Watch has less space to showcase this new design than the other affected products, but watchOS 26 still looks distinct from previous iterations. The numerals on watch faces have the signature glassy look, and in the Photos face, they adjust size dynamically to suit the available space in different photos. The translucent design also shows up in buttons within Apple's apps, as well as notifications, widgets in the Smart Stack, Control Center toggles and more. In short, watchOS 26 looks stunning. But it also seems somewhat unfamiliar because so many elements have been redesigned, and this may mean it'll appear user-friendly at first. In time we should all get used to it. We've complained in the past that the Apple Watch was left out of the Apple Intelligence party even though it seems the most suited to take advantage of the technology. The arrival of watchOS 26 doesn't give the watch the full Apple Intelligence experience, presumably due to a lack of processing power, but there are more AI elements than ever before. This being a fitness-focused product, it's no surprise that Apple Intelligence is principally aimed in that direction. There's a new feature called Workout Buddy that analyzes your usage data and fitness metrics to create personalized insights and pep talks. Apple gives the following as an example of what Workout Buddy could offer: "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 miles. You're going to add to that today." That's your motivation ahead of a workout, but the feature offers contributions while you exercise, too. It will notify you of split times and milestones, such as the time for the last mile or the total number of miles run in the year so far, for example, "Mile four. You picked up the pace and ran that last one in 8 minutes and 28 seconds," and "Hey, check this out. Your total running distance for the year just crossed the 200-mile mark! That's a lot of running!" Then at the end the assistant recaps your stats (distance, time, average pace, heart rate) and offers congratulations for any milestones or personal bests. All of these interruptions could be motivational or they could be annoying. A lot of people like to get in the zone when exercising and audio backdrop is a key part of that-either silence, a favorite playlist, or even a podcast. But we're pretty sure the feature will be optional, and some exercisers will love it. Talking of Apple Intelligence, this is also used to power Live Translation in Messages on the Apple Watch. When a text comes in and it's not in your native language, the system will translate right there on your watch; the response you enter in your own language will then be translated back to the original. You do need to have an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence for this, however, so presumably the work isn't actually happening on the watch. Apple says the Smart Stack watch face is getting smarter, too. It incorporates more data to power its predictive algorithms, sucking in information from sensors and your daily routine, and has a new way to make hints about actions you might want to take. These will appear as what Apple describes as a "gentle visual prompt," popping up at the bottom of the screen and drawing the eye with its glassy, shiny appearance. This is a fun and potentially useful new feature: you can dismiss notifications and calls, as well as turning off timers and alarms, by flicking your wrist. It should make life easier when your watch tries to get your attention while you're in the middle of a workout or other activity. The all-important Workout app has been redesigned. It's very different, in fact, with new buttons in the corners of the screen to access customization options. As a regular Workout user, I have to say that it looks rather complicated and intimidating, but I trust it will become familiar in time, and likely a more powerful tool for setting up workouts the way I want them. You can now set up music and podcasts from within the Workout app so that they start playing when you start exercising. Or, if you'd rather not have to give this any thought, you can have Apple Music select a playlist for you, based on your listening history and the workout type. Or you can view suggestions based on what you've listened to when doing the same workout in the past. watchOS 26 is available now as a developer beta, and the public beta will start to roll out in July. It's available for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, the 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE, or any Apple Watch Ultra, the same models supported with watchOS 11.

watchOS 26 preview: 5 new Apple Watch features I can't wait to try

Going forward, Apple's latest operating system release will reflect the last two digits of the coming year. This change affects not just watchOS but all Apple operating systems for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and so forth. While the introduction of a new "liquid glass" aesthetic -- borrowed from visionOS -- is easily the most visually impactful change to the Apple Watch operating system in years, it's not the improvement I'm most excited about. In fact, it doesn't even make my top five list. Nope. As someone who reviews smartwatches for a living, these are the five new Apple Watch features coming in watchOS 26 I'm most excited to try in 2025. Ever since Apple introduced its "shake to shuffle" feature on iPod, I've been hooked on the concept of gesture controls for gadgets. Presently, the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 also support Apple's Double Tap gesture control, where users can press their index finger and thumb together on the watch-worn hand to trigger a customizable action. Now Apple is adding even more gesture control in the form of "Wrist Flick." With the release of watchOS 26, this action will allow you to silence alarms, dismiss calls and messages, turn off timers and quiet pings. Essentially, it will free you from having to interact with the screen when you're otherwise distracted, or in the case of sleeping, don't feel like opening your eyes. Unfortunately, this seemingly super-useful new gesture will only be available on the Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2 models. Speaking of annoying pings and notifications, watchOS 26 should make your Apple Watch feel a little less intrusive during the day-to-day. The new operating system introduces smarter notifications that take a hint from your surroundings. Rather than let the entire library reading room or train quiet car know that you've received a message from a friend, your Apple Watch will now measure the ambient noise levels of your surroundings and adjust the notification sound volume accordingly to be less irritating to those around you. Last year's watchOS 11 release introduced on-wrist translations. Now, Apple is taking the concept a step further with 'Live Translation' in the messaging app. This new tool, available on the Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2, will automatically translate incoming texts into a user's default language. I could see this feature being particularly useful when traveling abroad, especially if you're the type of person who easily makes friends while on holiday, language barriers be damned. This also seems like a super handy tool for communicating with friends and family members partial to a language other than your own. I use Apple's Notes app for a wide range of tasks, from jotting down grocery and to-do lists, to recording dreams, article concepts, date night ideas and so much more. Now, finally, Apple is bringing this simple yet oh-so-useful app to the Apple Watch. Users will be able to record notes either via dictation, the tiny virtual keyboard or through Siri. Of course, you don't need to create the note on your Apple Watch. As always, a user's notes get shared across all connected devices, meaning now I can visually scan my shopping list -- created earlier on my iPhone -- mid-grocery run via a glance at the wrist. Rumors strongly suggested some sort of AI-powered workout coach coming to Apple Watch, and they turned out to be true. Apple's new AI "Workout Buddy" feature -- available on Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2 -- is designed to deliver personalized words of encouragement, wellness insights and more mid and post workout. These messages -- delivered via Bluetooth audio -- are based on factors like your current heart rate, pace or speed, as well as Activity Ring history and personal workout milestones. Once you're done, the Workout Buddy sums up your efforts with key stats, along with some final thoughts to gas you up for your next session. While it sounds a tad cheesy to me (do I really need a computer-generated voice giving me a pep talk before my next bike ride?), I'm cautiously optimistic that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI-powered health features on Apple Watch. The watchOS 26 developer beta is available now, while the public beta -- which anyone can try -- is set for a July release. As with previous updates, the full release of watchOS 26 is expected in the fall.

watchOS 26 finally brings Apple Intelligence to the Apple Watch... for better or worse | Stuff

The latest Apple Watch software update has arrived! watchOS 26 includes Apple's system-wide redesign and Apple Intelligence (finally) At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled the latest free update for the Apple Watch: watchOS 26. While most of the attention has been on iOS 26, Apple's new Liquid Glass look also extends to the Apple Watch. While that's great for a device that sits on your wrist demanding to be looked at, the biggest (and perhaps most controversial) new feature is the arrival of Apple Intelligence. While Apple's answer to AI rolled out to iPhone and Mac users last year in iOS and macOS Sequoia, it remained absent from the tech giant's smartwatch. watchOS 26 sees the suite of AI features finally head for your wrist, with processing taking place on your iPhone (with a faster processor). Whether it's a positive addition to the software, I'll leave you to decide.

watchOS 26 Announced With New Liquid Design Language, Apple Intelligence Features, Wrist Flick Gesture, Workout Buddy, And More

WWDC 2025 just happened and brought ahead tons of exciting news in terms of software upgrades, and we got to see the next generation OS for iPhone, Macbook, and more. The keynote did not let down the Apple Watch fans as the watchOS 26 turned out to be one of the most significant update in years, especially with how AI remained to be the focal point, allowing for more customization and personalization of features. While the hype remained about the other upgrades, the watchOS 26 overhaul cannot be ignored, given how it was heavily inspired by the Vision OS, making it one of the major updates for the wearable in a while. In terms of design, we see a fresh look that gives it a more clean and translucent UI and seems to align with the rest of the software updates. The design language is more cohesive, especially with the Solarium or Liquid Glass theme that brings the interface closer to iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS. With the help of the translucent background, the UI elements would pop out more clearly and add more layering by adding a 3D touch to it. The animations would also be more fluid and smooth, especially on the smaller screen, and the AI prompts would not feel cluttered. Users have also been long waiting for a control center that can be customized, and this has been made possible with the watchOS. The update now extends third-party widget support in the control center, a feature that has been long anticipated and is definitely a usability upgrade given the amount of personalization that can be added up, allowing users to have control over what appears and where. One of the most promising upgrades is the AI-powered WatchOS 26, which will now be available for Apple Watch users. WatchOS 26 is bringing Apple Intelligence to your Apple Watch, although the features will not be directly available on the wearable's hardware and would require pairing with the iPhone. hence, the watch would feel smarter, given how options like smart notifications and AI-driven reply suggestions can now be used to get more personal replies. AN AI health coach that is able to monitor health and wellness and give you updates and advice accordingly would also now be available. Apple is also introducing more advanced health and fitness tools in the watchOS 26 that are meant to provide a proactive approach to well-being, especially with the new Vitals app now including blood pressure monitoring and also the daily score for recovery and readiness and recommendations according to it. Due to the enhanced GPS-based data, the workout would also be more enhanced especially with the real-time coaching powered by AI.

Apple watchOS 26: New Features, Fitness Upgrades and Liquid Glass (WWDC 2025)

Apple introduced watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, featuring a redesigned interface, enhanced fitness tools, smarter notifications, and improved messaging capabilities. The update focuses on personalization, convenience, and intelligence to support users in staying active, healthy, and connected. Central to watchOS 26 is the Liquid Glass interface, a visually dynamic design that enhances the Apple Watch's display with depth and fluidity. This innovative interface introduces a more immersive visual experience, making interactions feel smoother and more engaging. Complementing this is the updated Photos watch face, which integrates Liquid Glass numerals, offering users a more expressive and customizable way to personalize their devices. Navigation has also been streamlined with the addition of Smart Stack widgets, which provide contextual information at a glance. These widgets adapt dynamically to user behavior, making sure that relevant data is always accessible. Additionally, the Control Center has been redesigned for quicker access to essential tools, improving overall usability. Together, these updates create a more intuitive and visually appealing interface, enhancing the day-to-day experience of using the Apple Watch. Fitness tracking remains a cornerstone of the Apple Watch, and watchOS 26 introduces significant enhancements to this functionality. The revamped Workout app, powered by Apple Intelligence, delivers personalized insights and real-time feedback during exercise sessions. Users receive spoken motivation and updates on milestones, pace, and progress, helping them stay focused on their fitness goals. The app's customizable layout allows users to seamlessly integrate music or podcasts into their workouts, creating a more enjoyable and tailored exercise experience. These updates cater to users of all activity levels, from casual walkers to dedicated athletes, reinforcing the Apple Watch's role as a comprehensive fitness companion. Key fitness updates include: watchOS 26 introduces smarter, more context-aware notifications and communication tools. Using advanced prediction algorithms, the system now provides proactive suggestions based on user behavior and contextual data. This ensures that notifications are not only timely but also relevant to the user's current activities. One of the standout features is Live Translation, which enables real-time translation of both incoming and outgoing messages. This functionality assists seamless communication across language barriers, making the Apple Watch a valuable tool for global connectivity. Additionally, improved Smart Replies, powered by AI, offer contextually appropriate responses, while a simple wrist flick gesture allows users to dismiss notifications or calls effortlessly. These updates enhance the Apple Watch's ability to keep users connected and informed, making communication more efficient and intuitive. Accessibility remains a key focus for Apple, and watchOS 26 introduces several new features designed to meet the needs of diverse users. The Live Listen feature provides real-time captions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, allowing more effective communication in various settings. The redesigned Notes app allows users to create, pin, and manage notes directly from their wrist, offering greater convenience for on-the-go organization. Meanwhile, Call Screening enables users to handle incoming calls more efficiently, and Ambient Noise Adjustment automatically optimizes speaker volume based on the surrounding environment. These features highlight Apple's commitment to inclusivity, making sure that the Apple Watch remains accessible and adaptable to a wide range of users. watchOS 26 also introduces a suite of new tools and resources for developers, allowing them to create more immersive and customizable apps. Expanded APIs now support the integration of design elements such as Liquid Glass and Smart Stack widgets, allowing developers to take full advantage of the platform's capabilities. The introduction of location-based features opens up new possibilities for geolocation-driven applications, while the redesigned Watch Face Gallery offers users greater flexibility in exploring and personalizing watch faces. These updates empower developers to push the boundaries of what's possible on the Apple Watch, fostering innovation and creativity within the ecosystem. watchOS 26 places a strong emphasis on personalization and seamless integration across Apple's ecosystem. The updated operating system allows users to tailor their Apple Watch experience to their unique preferences, whether through customizable watch faces, adaptive widgets, or personalized fitness insights. Moreover, the integration of advanced AI-driven features ensures that the Apple Watch continues to evolve alongside its users, adapting to their needs and habits over time. This focus on personalization and adaptability underscores Apple's commitment to delivering a smartwatch experience that is both intuitive and empowering. With watchOS 26, Apple has introduced a range of updates that enhance the functionality, usability, and accessibility of its smartwatch platform. From the visually dynamic Liquid Glass interface to the advanced AI-driven fitness tracking and context-aware notifications, this release demonstrates Apple's dedication to innovation and user-centric design. By empowering developers with new tools and prioritizing inclusivity, watchOS 26 ensures that the Apple Watch remains a versatile and indispensable tool for users worldwide. Whether tracking fitness goals, managing notifications, or allowing real-time translation, watchOS 26 continues to position the Apple Watch as a leader in the smartwatch industry. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Apple watchOS that you may find helpful.

watchOS 26 brings Liquid Glass UI, AI-powered fitness coaching, and more

At the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple previewed watchOS 26, the newest software update for Apple Watch, alongside iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This update introduces a redesigned interface, smarter fitness tools, and deeper integration with Apple's intelligence technology. Apple describes watchOS 26 as a release that focuses on improving fitness, health, and communication with smarter, more personalized features. It delivers real-time feedback, proactive suggestions, and an easier-to-use interface to enhance the overall Apple Watch experience. watchOS 26 introduces a fresh visual approach named Liquid Glass, enhancing the look of apps and interfaces. This update gives apps and watch elements a more fluid, dynamic appearance. Key features like the Smart Stack, Control Center, and in-app controls now show this lively look, improving navigation and user focus. The Photos watch face uses Liquid Glass numerals that reveal more of the user's photo in a unique way. A highlight of watchOS 26 is Workout Buddy, which uses artificial intelligence to offer personalized coaching during workouts. By analyzing your past sessions and current activity, it delivers spoken updates and encouragement. For example, it might say, "You're 18 minutes away from your goal," or "You just hit your fastest mile today." This feature processes data directly on the watch for privacy and uses voices trained with Fitness+ coaches. Workout Buddy requires Bluetooth earphones and a compatible iPhone in close proximity to function. It supports running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength workouts in English. The Workout app has been redesigned with four corner buttons for easy access to key functions such as Custom Workout, Race Route, and Pacer. Additionally, users can have music or podcasts automatically start when workouts begin, with playlist suggestions based on the workout type. Smart Stack now leverages location and activity data to offer helpful hints. For example, it might suggest using the Backtrack feature when you're in a remote area, or remind you about Pilates when you arrive at the studio. These hints appear with the new Liquid Glass look. The Messages app now supports live translation for incoming and outgoing texts on select Apple Watch models when paired with compatible iPhones. Other improvements include context-based action suggestions like Check In or Apple Cash, custom chat backgrounds, direct poll responses, and smarter replies powered by on-device AI. Users can dismiss notifications, silence alarms, or end calls with a quick wrist flick on supported watches. This gesture works alongside the existing double-tap action and relies on motion sensors and machine learning. Apple Watch now automatically modifies speaker volume according to surrounding noise levels for improved call and notification clarity. Developers can now build apps with the Liquid Glass style and add custom controls to Control Center and Smart Stack. New APIs enable context-sensitive widget suggestions, such as surfacing a ski app when near a resort. watchOS 26 is available now to developers via the Apple Developer Program. A public beta will launch next month through the Apple Beta Software Program. The full release is set for fall 2025 as a free software update for: These devices need to be paired with an iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26. Apple Intelligence features require: Apple notes that feature availability may vary by region and language.