The Future on Your Wrist: Apple Unleashes watchOS 26 Beta 2 Apple has just pushed out watchOS 26 beta 2 to developers, marking another step toward refining the next big software leap for Apple Watch. This second beta, coming not long after the first, gives a sharper look into Apple’s evolving wearable vision. It’s a mix of visual polish and smarter features, all underpinned by AI. It’s also part of Apple’s synchronized beta rollout across its ecosystem—iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26—now all named for the year ahead, 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- watchOS 26 beta 2 is now live for developers, adding refinements and new features.
- The “Liquid Glass” design refreshes UI visuals with a more fluid, frosted appearance.
- “Workout Buddy,” powered by Apple Intelligence, brings AI-driven fitness coaching.
- New gestures, like wrist flick, improve hands-free interaction.
- Smart Stack becomes more context-aware, surfacing useful widgets at the right time.
- The Notes app makes its debut on Apple Watch.
- Features like Live Translation and Hold Assist enhance communication and convenience.
- Compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and later, though AI features need iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
A Closer Look at “Liquid Glass” and Visual Updates
Perhaps the most visible shift in watchOS 26 beta 2 is the “Liquid Glass” interface. This translucent, layered style gives the UI a lighter, more immersive feel. Semi-transparent elements now appear in places like Control Center and Smart Stack, letting background content peek through just enough to feel modern without getting messy.
On the Photos watch face, for instance, numbers and widgets blend into the image with more finesse. That same visual cohesion carries over into other corners of the system. It’s subtle, sure, but it adds up to a more fluid, coherent experience across the board.
Workout Buddy:
AI Steps Into Fitness A headlining addition is Workout Buddy. This feature represents Apple’s deeper dive into personalized fitness coaching, powered by generative AI. During a workout, Workout Buddy provides live suggestions based on performance data—things like pace, distance, or heart rate.
The coaching feels more conversational, too. Say you finish a run, your Watch might tell you, “Nice work! You ran 4.3 miles in 38 minutes. Your pace was 8:58 per mile. That’s your longest run in almost a month. What’s next?” The voice is AI-generated but built from Fitness+ trainers’ recordings, making it feel more natural and familiar.
It supports a variety of workout types, from indoor runs to strength training. The catch? You’ll need a newer iPhone with Apple Intelligence capabilities—namely, the iPhone 15 Pro or beyond.
Gestures Get Smarter watchOS 26 beta 2 adds a new “wrist flick” gesture, expanding on the already useful “Double Tap.” Flicking your wrist away and back can dismiss alerts or calls, or bring you back to the main screen—ideal when you’re in the middle of a workout or your hands are full.
The gesture joins a suite of interaction improvements, aiming to make the Watch feel even more responsive and helpful in the moment.
Smarter Smart Stack
The Smart Stack, which made its debut in watchOS 10, now uses time, location, and activity cues to show you more relevant widgets. Headed to the beach? You might see surf conditions. About to exercise? Your timer and stats could appear automatically.
This deeper contextual awareness nudges the Watch closer to being a true proactive assistant, not just a passive display.
Notes, Translation, and Better Calls Also new: the Notes app finally arrives on Apple Watch. You can view, edit, or create notes from your wrist, synced with your other Apple devices. Improved dictation makes jotting down ideas or lists pretty smooth, too.
Live Translation is another standout. It lets you translate spoken phrases instantly, which could be a lifesaver while traveling or navigating multilingual situations.
Then there’s Hold Assist and Call Screening—features carried over from iOS 26. The former alerts you when a customer service rep joins your call. The latter transcribes a caller’s reason for ringing, letting you decide whether to answer, decline, or reply—all from your Watch.
Performance and Compatibility Notes Like most betas, performance can be hit or miss. The first beta had some battery drain complaints. Beta 2 appears more stable, though Apple hasn’t fixed everything just yet. Expect occasional quirks until the final release, likely in September.
As for compatibility: watchOS 26 supports Series 6 and up, including Watch SE (2nd gen) and Ultra models. However, many of the AI features are gated behind iPhone 15 Pro or later hardware, so not everyone will get the full experience.
Developer Tools and What’s Next
Developers are getting new tools, too. Apple has extended “Liquid Glass” UI elements via SwiftUI updates. Third-party apps can now create controls for places like Control Center and Smart Stack—areas once off-limits.
New APIs allow widgets to trigger based on context, such as time or location. That means a ski app might surface on arrival at a resort, or a journaling app could prompt you post-workday.
Developer sentiment seems cautiously optimistic. Most understand the beta bugs come with the territory, but the broader direction—especially around Apple Intelligence—is getting a warm reception. The public beta should drop in July, with general release expected in the fall.
Small Steps, Big Potential watchOS 26 beta 2 may not seem revolutionary at first glance, but it layers in enough subtle improvements and AI enhancements to point clearly toward the future. The design feels more intentional. The features are getting smarter. And with Apple Intelligence slowly taking center stage, it’s not just about what your Watch can show you—it’s about what it can do for you before you even ask.
FAQ Section
Q1: What Apple Watch models are compatible with watchOS 26?
A1: watchOS 26 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, SE (2nd gen), Ultra, and Ultra 2.
Q2: Do I need a specific iPhone model to use watchOS 26?
A2: Yes. You’ll need an iPhone 11 or newer, or an iPhone SE (2nd gen or later), running iOS 26.
Q3: What is “Liquid Glass” design in watchOS 26?
A3: It’s a translucent, frosted visual style that makes the interface feel more modern and layered, appearing across core UI elements.
Q4: What is Workout Buddy, and what does it do?
A4: Workout Buddy is an AI-based fitness coach offering live feedback and stats during your workouts, using real-time data to personalize suggestions.
Q5: Will Apple Intelligence features like Workout Buddy work on all compatible Apple Watch models?
A5: No, they require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer for AI processing, even if the Watch itself supports watchOS 26.
Q6: How can I get watchOS 26 beta 2?
A6: It’s available to registered Apple developers via the Apple Developer Program. On your iPhone running iOS 26, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
Q7: Is there a public beta for watchOS 26, and when is it expected?
A7: Yes. The public beta should launch in July.
Q8: What is the impact of watchOS 26 beta 2 on battery life?
A8: Some battery drain is expected with beta software. Beta 2 aims to fix issues from Beta 1, but performance may vary until final release.
Q9: What new gestures are included in watchOS 26?
A9: A “wrist flick” gesture lets you dismiss notifications or return to the home screen by moving your wrist away and back.
Q10: Can I take notes directly on my Apple Watch with watchOS 26?
A10: Yes, the Notes app now supports viewing, editing, and creating entries right from the Watch.
