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.
watchOS 26
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.
Fresh Visual Style: Liquid Glass
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.
Workout Buddy: Smarter, Real-Time Coaching
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.
Updated Workout App
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.
Smarter Suggestions with Contextual Smart Stack
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.
Enhanced Messaging on Apple Watch
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.
New Gesture Controls and Audio Adjustments
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.
Additional Features
- Notes App: Create, pin, and manage notes directly on the watch using voice, keyboard, or dictation.
- Call Features: Call Screening gathers caller info before ringing, and Hold Assist alerts you when a live agent joins.
- Live Listen: View captions and control hearing aid features from the watch.
- Photos Face: Displays featured photos from your library on the watch face.
- Watch Face Gallery: Faces are organized into collections to simplify browsing.
- Custom Widgets: Add widgets like smart home controls to the Smart Stack.
Developer Opportunities
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.
Availability
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:
- Apple Watch Series 6 and newer
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- All Apple Watch Ultra models
These devices need to be paired with an iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26.
Apple Intelligence features require:
- iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model
- Supported device and Siri languages
Apple notes that feature availability may vary by region and language.