Apple has just announced the arrival of watchOS 26, an exciting new update for the Apple Watch that promises to elevate fitness tracking, health management, and connectivity in ways we’ve never seen before. Available this fall, watchOS 26 enhances the Apple Watch’s role as a hub for staying active and connected. Here’s a quick rundown of the most notable features:
Key Takeaways:
- Liquid Glass Design: A stunning visual overhaul, bringing translucent elements and refined icons for a cohesive look across all Apple platforms.
- Workout Buddy: An AI-powered virtual coach offering real-time feedback and motivation during workouts, powered by Apple Intelligence.
- Redesigned Workout App: The app gets a fresh look with easier navigation, plus integrated music/podcast features for smoother workout sessions.
- Smarter Smart Stack: With predictive features, the Smart Stack now suggests apps and actions based on your routine and location.
- Enhanced Notifications: Smarter notifications, with a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss them and adaptive volume for better audio in varying environments.
- Expanded Communication: Enhanced messaging, live translation, and new background options in the Messages app, along with the addition of the Notes app on Apple Watch.
A Striking New Look with “Liquid Glass”
One of the most eye-catching changes in Watches 26 is the new “Liquid Glass” design. Apple has revamped the visual aesthetic, infusing the interface with a more dynamic and engaging feel. The app icons, widgets, and notifications now sport a translucent quality, subtly reflecting light and adapting to the content on screen. The Photos watch face even gets a facelift with numerals featuring this effect, making it easier to view your favorite photos. The goal is to make the Apple Watch interface feel more interactive and immersive, with an aesthetic that extends across Apple’s broader ecosystem, including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and visionOS.
Along with this, there are subtle improvements to the icons and UI elements, making them clearer and easier to navigate. These adjustments are aimed at maximizing the small screen real estate on the Apple Watch, ensuring widgets and apps adapt and scale with the device’s compact size.
Your Personal Trainer on Your Wrist: Workout Buddy
A standout addition to watchOS 26 is Workout Buddy, a voice-powered AI coach that offers real-time feedback and motivation during your workouts. This feature, powered by Apple Intelligence, taps into your workout data—such as heart rate, distance, and pace—to give you personalized, encouraging prompts. For example, as you approach a personal best, Workout Buddy might cheer you on with a quick, motivational message.
The AI is powered by the voice data from Fitness+ trainers, so the tone is always energetic and perfectly attuned to your workout. It’s designed to be both motivating and supportive, helping you push through tough training sessions. Workout Buddy works with various activities, including running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training.
Additionally, the Workout app itself has received a redesign. With new buttons at the corners of the app, it’s easier to navigate between workout types, set up custom routines, or track your race route. Music and podcasts are now more seamlessly integrated, with the app automatically playing your favorite playlists or suggesting music based on your workout type. It’s a more immersive experience all around.
Smarter Interactions and Enhanced Convenience
The Smart Stack has been significantly improved in watchOS 26. This feature, which surfaces apps and notifications based on your behavior, now uses predictive algorithms to suggest more relevant and timely actions. For instance, if you typically work out at the same time each day, the Smart Stack might suggest starting a workout as you arrive at your usual location. Or, if you’re in an area with no cellular connection, it might prompt you to use the Backtrack feature, helping you retrace your steps.
Notifications are smarter too. With a simple flick of your wrist, you can dismiss notifications, silence alarms, or return to the watch face, all without touching the screen. This builds on the existing double-tap feature, giving you more hands-free control. On top of that, the Apple Watch will now adjust the volume of alerts and Siri’s responses depending on the surrounding noise levels. This means you’ll never miss an important notification, but you won’t be disrupted by unnecessary noise either.
Broader Connectivity and Communication
watchOS 26 makes it even easier to stay connected on your wrist. The Messages app now supports real-time translation, so you can translate conversations on the go in a variety of languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and more. It’s perfect for international travelers or anyone who needs a quick, hands-free translation during a conversation.
The app also supports richer chat backgrounds, giving you more options for personalizing your messaging experience. Another big addition is the Notes app, now available directly on the Apple Watch. Whether you need to jot down a quick thought, manage your to-do list, or check on existing notes, it’s all available from your wrist.
The Phone app gets a few upgrades too, including Hold Assist and Call Screening when your iPhone is nearby. Additionally, Live Listen controls are now accessible directly on the Apple Watch, allowing users who are deaf or hard of hearing to use Live Captions when their iPhone is nearby, providing real-time transcription of surrounding audio.
Finally, widgets are more customizable than ever, allowing users to personalize their Smart Stack to better suit their daily routine and needs.
Compatibility and Availability
watchOS 26 will be available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later models, including the second-generation Apple Watch SE and all Apple Watch Ultra models. The update requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26. Developers currently have access to the beta versions, with the public release scheduled for fall 2025.
With all these new features, watchOS 26 is set to redefine the Apple Watch experience, making it more intuitive, personalized, and connected than ever before. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, someone who wants to stay in touch, or just looking for a more streamlined smartwatch experience, this update has something for everyone.
