This yr at WWDC 2025, Apple launched a somewhat drastic change to its naming conventions. What must be the upcoming WatchOS 12 will now be WatchOS 26 when it launches within the fall, because the firm determined to cease labeling its working programs sequentially and as an alternative title them in keeping with the fiscal yr they’re launched. Each OS now additionally has a brand new, overhauled show aesthetic referred to as Liquid Glass, which makes sure apps, icons, buttons, and pop-ups appear to be frosted glass and different options appear to be raindrops.
Apart from that, anticipated new Apple Intelligence options to a lot of the firm’s product lineup have been small and measured somewhat than massive and sweeping—however for Apple Watch followers, the truth that there’s now Apple Intelligence in your wrist in any respect may be sufficient. Right here, we stroll via among the new suggestions and methods that you’ll begin seeing in your Apple Watch this yr.
Is Your Apple Watch Appropriate?
WatchOS 26 might be out there for Apple Watches ranging from the Collection 6 or later. This consists of the second-gen Apple Watch SE and all Apple Watch Extremely fashions. You need to even have an iPhone 11 or later that may run the upcoming iOS 26. If you would like the Apple Intelligence options, you want to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, which incorporates the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Professional Max, and all iPhone 16 fashions.
When Will WatchOS 26 Be Out there?
You’ll be able to obtain WatchOS 26 as a developer beta at the moment, however do not count on it to be good. A public beta will roll out subsequent month at beta.apple.com and WatchOS 26 might be out there as a free software program replace to appropriate Watch fashions this fall.
The High WatchOS 26 Options
Liquid Glass
Courtesy of Apple
Sadly, a lot of the Liquid Glass redesigns have been optimized for the larger screens of the Mac, iPhone, and iPad. However hey, look, the numerals on the clock face now have a translucent frost! You too can see slight specular highlights across the edges of the buttons if you look intently. Sensible Stack—Apple’s layered widget system—will even make the most of Liquid Glass in order to not obscure the display.
Exercise Buddy
Exercise Buddy makes use of all of the train information gathered by the Apple Watch—coronary heart price, tempo, distance, and so forth.—and makes use of it to supply customized, upbeat encouragement (“you crushed it!”) throughout your train session. Apple Intelligence analyzes your information to supply these insights and to make use of voice encouragement derived from Health+ trainers. It will probably additionally mark key moments, like operating a mile significantly quick. It is out there for only a few workouts, like indoor and out of doors strolling or operating, out of doors biking, practical and conventional energy coaching, and HIIT—and sure, you may flip it off if the concept of a cheerleader in your ear is hell for you too.
The Exercise app itself has additionally undergone a redesign, with 4 buttons within the 4 corners of the watch face to make it simpler to faucet on every function. Customers can arrange music and podcasts inside the Exercise app, and Apple Music can both choose music or present strategies for an applicable playlist.
Sensible Stack
Courtesy of Apple
Sensible Stack will now incorporate extra contextual information, like location and the consumer’s routine, to supply extra useful suggestions. For instance, in the event you arrive on the fitness center at your traditional time, your Apple Watch might mark your location and slide a exercise routine to the highest of your Sensible Stack.
Messages and Notifications
Courtesy of Apple
When you personal a Watch Collection 9, Watch Collection 10, or Apple Watch Extremely 2, you’ll now be capable of use a brand new wrist-flick gesture (very similar to Double Faucet) to dismiss notifications or incoming calls, silence timers, and return to the clock face. A machine-learning mannequin makes use of information from the accelerometer and gyroscope to catch the consumer’s wrist motion.
The Watch now additionally helps Stay Translation in Messages (once more, you’ll need an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone). In case your language is about to English, the watch will supply prompts in Messages, like suggesting Apple Money if the consumer is requested for a donation. Name Screening and Maintain Help will even come to the telephone app on the watch, letting customers determine whether or not to take or decline calls or ask for extra info.
As traditional, there are new clock faces to select from. And you’ll lastly be capable of use the Notes app on the watch, which can be extra essential to a few of us than others.
