On June 9th, during WWDC 2025 (Worldwide Developers Conference), Apple announced the highly anticipated iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, tvOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26.
watchOS 10 was the first major OS overhaul since the release of the Apple Watch. With watchOS 26, Apple aims to do the same, making significant changes to the UI and introducing several new features.
New UI Elements
Several changes have been made to the UI in watchOS 26, and the one that remains consistent throughout all device OS updates is Liquid Glass.
Just like in iOS 26, Liquid Glass in watchOS 26 makes all UI elements translucent and refracts the content around it similar to water or glass, hence the name Liquid Glass.
Notifications, Control Centre, and all in-app controls will feature Liquid Glass, providing a more vibrant and consistent interface across the entire watch.
Apple Intelligence Comes to watchOS
Apple Intelligence makes its debut in watchOS with the new Workout Buddy, coming to the Fitness app in watchOS 26.
Workout Buddy is a new interactive fitness buddy incorporated into the Fitness app, made possible by utilising Apple Intelligence to track user workout data, including heart rate, pace, Activity rings, personal milestones, and fitness history, to generate motivational tips and announcements.
As a user starts their workout, Workout Buddy can provide a motivational pep talk tailored to their activity rings and personal fitness goals, effectively serving as a virtual coach.
Throughout the workout, Workout Buddy will announce workout-specific information, such as assets or miles if the user is on the run, and provide them with detailed performance insights.
At the end of a workout, Workout Buddy provides the user with a summary of their workout and congratulates them based on their Activity rings, personal milestones, and fitness history.
Improved Workout Experience
watchOS 26 introduces the most significant UI change to the Workout app since its introduction.
The new layout features four buttons in the corners of the screen, making it easier to access some of the users’ favourite features to customise workouts.
These features include Workout Views, Custom Workout, Pacer, Race Route, and more.
The updated Workout app also gives users the option to set songs or podcasts to specific workouts, so they automatically play when the user starts the workout.
Based on workout type and user preferences, Apple Music can select the best playlist for the user’s workout. It can also provide users with suggestions for playlists and podcasts based on the recently listened-to content during that workout type.
Better Smart Stack Suggestions
In the latest update, Smart Stack will provide users with hints based on contextual data, sensor data, and the user’s routine. These hints will serve as a prompt for action to the user based on the data mentioned and appear on the screen as visual reminders.
For example, if a user is near a gym at their usual workout time, then they may get a hint for a workout.
Apple Intelligence in Messages
Thanks to Apple Intelligence, Live Translation is now available on Apple Watches. All incoming texts will be automatically translated into the user’s preferred language.
Apple Intelligence will also be able to give users with their preferred language set to English various suggestions for action based on the context of the conversation.
For example, if a user is asked about their whereabouts, they will receive a suggestion to share their live location with the person in question.
Furthermore, for users with their language preference set to English, Apple Intelligence will now provide more precise and relevant responses through Smart Replies based on the content of the conversation.
Notification Management
In watchOS 26, it will also be far easier to manage notifications thanks to a new wrist flick feature, which allows users to dismiss features with a simple flick of the wrist.
This wrist flick feature can be used not only to dismiss notifications but also to silence alarms and timers, as well as return to the watch face.
This makes watch use far more convenient for users, allowing them to operate with just one hand if their other hand is occupied with coffee, cooking, or other tasks.
The watch can now also adjust the volume of incoming calls, notifications, timers, alarms, and Siri based on the ambient noise around them, ensuring that users don’t disturb those around them.
Notes App
The Notes app will now be available on Apple Watches, allowing users to view, pin, unlock, edit, and create notes directly on the watch itself.
Editing and creating notes on the watch can be done through Siri, dictation, and the keyboard.
Hold Assist and Call Screening
Hold Assist and Call Screening will be featured in watchOS 26 to create a more convenient and secure call experience for users.
Hold Assist will notify users when a live agent becomes available again, ensuring the user returns to the call.
Call Screening enhances the security of calling by collecting a name and reason for calls from unknown numbers, allowing users to decide whether to answer the call.
Note that these features will be available only if a paired iPhone is nearby.
Live Listen
For deaf and hard-of-hearing users, Live Listen can now be controlled through Apple Watch and features real-time captions based on the audio being picked up by their iPhone.
This allows users to be well aware of their surroundings while listening to other audio.
Photos Watch Face
The Photos watch face will now be able to shuffle through Featured images, allowing for a more expressive and meaningful interface for users and generally improving user experience through greater personalisation.
Watch Face Gallery Collections
watchOS 26 also features collections in the watch face gallery, allowing users to easily browse through themes of watch faces, creating a more efficient and convenient user experience.
Compatible Devices
Similar to all OS updates, watchOS 26 will also not be supported on various older Apple Watch models.
watchOS 26 will only be available to the following devices, which must also be paired to the iPhone 11 or higher:
- Apple Watch Series 6 and Beyond
- Apple Watch SE second generation
- All Apple Watch Ultra models
Specific Apple Intelligence features will only be available on watches paired with iPhone 15 Pro and later.
The wrist flick feature will also be available only on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Currently, watchOS 26 is available as a developer beta, and the user beta version is expected to be released in July. watchOS 26, along with the other OS updates, will be released in their final form in September.
Conclusion
watchOS 26 is packed with a plethora of amazing features, all aimed at enhancing the user experience and creating a more visually appealing user interface.
These features will make using the Apple Watch far more convenient and engaging, further developing the Apple ecosystem through features such as Workout Buddy, aimed at attracting users to their own Workout and Fitness apps instead of third-party ones.
1 Comment
Futuristic OS by apple. That’s why apple is apple.
Well written article. Very informative. Thanks exhibit team.