Apple has unveiled new versions for all of its operating systems today, and of course watchOS is one of them. So, the new watchOS 26 is coming this fall, and it brings a bunch of improvements.
Key is the new AI-powered Workout Buddy, which we’ve already covered in our article about all the new Apple Intelligence features. In short, it will use your workout data and fitness history to generate personalized, motivational insights, using a trainer-like voice.
watchOS 26 also incorporates the new Liquid Glass design that Apple has unveiled across all of its operating systems, and this is going to enable “a vibrant and expressive experience that reflects and refracts content using real-time rendering”. Smart Stack widgets, Smart Stack hints, notifications, the Control Center, and in-app controls and navigation will adopt the new design, while the Photos watch face is “enhanced with numerals made of Liquid Glass”, letting you see even more of your photo.
Next up, the Workout app gets four new buttons in the corners, which make it easier to access your favorite features, and you can set up music and podcasts right in the Workout app to automatically play when you start a workout. Apple Music can even select the best playlist for you based on your workout type and personal tastes. You’ll also get suggestions for playlists and podcasts based on what you’ve recently listened to during that workout type.
The Smart Stack has improved prediction algorithms, with more contextual data, sensor data, and data from your routine, in order to provide Smart Stack hints, which are proactive prompts for actionable suggestions. These will appear as a gentle visual prompt.
Live Translation in Messages is also supported on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 paired with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone. If your language is set to English, your watch will also suggest relevant actions in Messages using the context of a conversation – the examples Apple lists are starting a Check In when a friend asks you to share when you arrive home, or using Apple Cash when you’re asked to contribute to a group gift.
The customizable backgrounds you set on your iPhone running iOS 26 will also make it to your Apple Watch, and you can even respond to polls on your wrist, while Smart Replies get more precise for English-speaking users, with an improved on-device AI model.
To quickly dismiss a notification, you can just quickly turn your wrist over and back after you’ve raised your wrist to check it. This can also be used for incoming calls, and to silence timers and alarms.
In watchOS 26, your Apple Watch will be able to automatically adjust the speaker volume based on the ambient noise, and this will work for notifications, timers, alarms, incoming calls, and Siri.
The Notes app is coming to watchOS, letting you pin and unlock notes, complete checklist items, and create new notes with Siri, dictation, and the keyboard. Hold Assist and Call Screening will work in conjunction with your iOS 26-running iPhone, and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing Live Listen controls include real-time Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening to the audio. The Apple Watch can act as a remote to start or stop Live Listen sessions.
The watch face gallery has been redesigned, and the Photos face will shuffle images based on Featured content from Photos. All of these features will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month.
