Everything you need to know about the watchOS 26 update—compatibility, new features, and more
After first teasing watchOS 26 in June, Apple’s latest major update to the smartwatch platform was detailed in full as part of the company’s September hardware event. Now, it’s available to download and enjoy.
The latest Apple Watch upgrade features a transparent ‘Liquid Glass’ design, an AI Workout Buddy, and much more.
Below, we’ve detailed 12 of the most notable tweaks available with the latest software. You can also discover how to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 26 with this step-by-step guide.
What happened to watchOS 12?
Apple has updated its watch software from watchOS 11 to watchOS 26 to standardize its branding. This aligns it with the upcoming calendar year and other OS updates across the ecosystem.
watchOS 26: Release date and compatibility
The full version of watchOS 26 is rolling out to all users as a free software update from today, September 15.
It is available for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, the second-generation Apple Watch SE and later, and all Apple Watch Ultra models.
It will also require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26, while the new Apple Intelligence features will need an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone (iPhone 15 series and newer).
12 exciting features available in watchOS 26
Here are the key features and enhancements you can expect to see on your wrist. While some are exclusive to the newest hardware, most will be available to all compatible Apple Watch models.
1. Hypertension Notifications
This is the headline health feature of the update, but it’s only available if you have an Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 or later.
It ensures the Apple smartwatch can passively monitor for signs of chronic high blood pressure over 30-day periods using the optical heart rate sensor. If it detects consistent patterns that may be indicative of hypertension, it will send a notification, prompting you to consult with a doctor.
2. A native Sleep Score
After years of relying on third-party apps, Apple has finally introduced a native Sleep Score. The feature provides a single 0-100 score to quantify your nightly rest, breaking it down into key components, such as duration and time spent in stages.
3. A refreshed ‘Liquid Glass’ design
The most immediate visual change is the ‘Liquid Glass’ design language. This new transparent aesthetic is applied across the entire OS, including widgets, notifications, and the Control Center, creating a vibrant, layered look.
4. The AI-powered Workout Buddy
Fitness enthusiasts gain an AI-driven companion called the ‘Workout Buddy’. This feature acts as a personal cheerleader on your wrist, offering personalized pep talks and real-time encouragement spoken through your headphones, tailored to your workout history and current effort level.
5. New watch faces
The watchOS 26 update introduces two new watch faces. One is ‘Flow’, which uses Liquid Glass numerals that respond to your wrist movements. The other is Exactograph, a modern reinterpretation of a classic regulator clock. By updating over 20 existing watch faces, the continuously ticking second hand is also now viewable on the always-on display.
6. A new Wrist Flick gesture
A new wrist flick gesture makes managing notifications simpler. A quick flick of the wrist will now dismiss notifications and incoming calls or silence alarms, joining the Double Tap as another useful one-handed control.
7. Live Translation for texts and prompts
The Live Translation feature will now automatically translate incoming texts into a user’s preferred language, provided the Apple Watch is paired with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone.
If a user’s device language is set to English, the Apple Watch will also suggest actions using the context of a conversation in the Messages app, like, for example, starting a Check In when a friend asks a user to share when they arrive home.
8. The Notes app finally debuts on the wrist
For the first time, the full Notes app is now available on the Apple Watch. This will allow you to access, pin, and unlock existing notes, as well as create new ones and tick off checklist items directly from your wrist using Siri or dictation.
9. An overhauled Workout app
The Workout app itself has been refreshed with a new layout that makes it easier to customise workout views and access music controls. You can now also create custom workouts in the Fitness app on your iPhone and have them automatically appear on your watch.
10. Smarter music in workouts
To add inspiration to your training, Apple Music can now be set to automatically select and play a playlist based on the workout type and your personal music taste when you begin a session.
11. Smart Stack gets smarter (again)
After last year’s upgrade, Smart Stack is getting another boost from Apple Intelligence. It will now proactively display hints for apps you might need. For instance, it might suggest opening the Backtrack feature if you’re hiking in an area with no signal or prompt you to start a workout when you arrive at your usual studio time. Clever.
12. Enhanced accessibility features
The watchOS 26 update expands on accessibility with several new features. ‘Live Listen’ will now display live captions on the watch for audio being picked up by a paired iPhone.
The ‘Hold Assist’ feature can now notify you when a live agent joins a call you’re on hold for, while ‘Call Screening’ will provide information about unknown callers before you answer.
