Apple has unveiled watchOS 26, a major update that redefines the Apple Watch experience with a new design, advanced intelligence, and improved interactions. Designed to help users stay active, healthy, and connected, watchOS 26 introduces a fresh look through Liquid Glass, enhanced fitness experiences with Apple Intelligence, and new ways to communicate and navigate.
The visual overhaul is evident across the interface, with Liquid Glass used in Smart Stack, Control Center, and app controls. This material offers real-time reflections and dynamic reactions to user interactions, giving the UI a more expressive feel. Even the Photos watch face benefits from the update, now featuring Liquid Glass numerals for a more immersive look.
Fitness enthusiasts will welcome Workout Buddy, a new AI-powered coach that uses personal fitness data to provide real-time, spoken motivation during workouts. It offers updates based on heart rate, distance, pace, milestones, and more. This dynamic coaching experience is powered by a new text-to-speech model using voices from Fitness+ trainers and supports popular workout types including running, walking, cycling, and strength training.
The Workout app itself has been redesigned with a cleaner layout and more intuitive navigation. Four corner buttons make it easier to access key features, and music or podcasts can now start automatically with workouts. Apple Music also curates personalized playlists based on a user’s tastes and workout type.
Smart Stack becomes more predictive with Smart Stack hints. These subtle visual prompts use contextual and sensor data to offer timely suggestions like starting Backtrack in remote locations or suggesting a Pilates workout at the usual time and location.
Messages gain more functionality with Live Translation, automatically translating incoming texts on the wrist. Users can reply in their own language and have messages translated for the recipient. Smart Replies have improved with a more accurate on-device language model, and users can now respond to polls and see conversation backgrounds synced from iPhone.
watchOS 26 also introduces a new wrist flick gesture that lets users quickly dismiss notifications, silence calls and timers, or return to the watch face—ideal for one-handed operation. The system intelligently adjusts speaker volume for alerts and Siri based on ambient noise levels.
Other notable additions include the Notes app on Apple Watch, Hold Assist and Call Screening when paired with an iPhone, and enhanced Live Listen features for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Photos face now automatically shuffles featured images for more dynamic moments. A redesigned watch face gallery and new developer APIs allow for deeper customization and integration.
watchOS 26 is available now for developer testing and will roll out publicly later this year for Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models.
