This yr at WWDC 2025, Apple launched a reasonably drastic change to its naming conventions. What must be the upcoming WatchOS 12 will now be WatchOS 26 when it launches within the fall, for the reason that firm determined to cease labeling its working methods sequentially and as an alternative identify them in line 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 seem like frosted glass and different options seem like raindrops.
Aside from that although, anticipated Apple Intelligence options to most of its product lineup have been small and measured, reasonably than huge 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 by means of a number of 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 Sequence 6 or later. This consists of the second-gen Apple Watch SE and all Apple Watch Extremely fashions. It’s essential to even have an iPhone 11 or later that may run the upcoming iOS 26. If you need the Apple Intelligence options, you additionally have 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 Obtainable?
You’ll be able to obtain WatchOS 26 as a developer beta right now, however do not count on it to be excellent. 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 suitable 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 the iPad. However hey look, the numerals on the clock face now have a translucent frost! You may also see slight specular highlights across the edges of the buttons if you look intently. Good Stack—Apple’s layered widget system—may even be produced from Liquid Glass, in order to not obscure the display.
Exercise Buddy
Exercise Buddy makes use of all of the train information accrued by the Apple Watch—coronary heart charge, tempo, distance, et cetera—and makes use of it to supply personalised, upbeat encouragement (“you crushed it!”) throughout your train session. Apple Intelligence analyzes your information to offer these insights and use voice encouragement derived from Health+ trainers. It will possibly additionally mark key moments, like working a mile notably quick. It is at the moment out there for just some workouts, like indoor and outside strolling or working, outside biking, useful and conventional power 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 characteristic. Customers can arrange music and podcasts throughout the Exercise app, and Apple Music can both choose music or present strategies for an applicable playlist.
Good Stack
Courtesy of Apple
Good Stack will now incorporate extra contextual information, like location and the person’s routine, to offer extra useful suggestions. For instance, should you arrive on the health club at your standard time, your Apple Watch could mark your location and slide a exercise routine to the highest of your Good Stack.
Messages and Notifications
Courtesy of Apple
If you happen to personal a Watch Sequence 9, Watch Sequence 10, or Apple Watch Extremely 2, you’ll now be capable to use a brand new wrist-flick gesture (very like Double Faucet) to dismiss notifications or incoming calls, silence timers, and return to the clock face. A machine studying mannequin makes use of information from the accelerometer and gyroscope to catch the person’s wrist motion.
The Watch now additionally helps Reside Translation in Messages (once more, you will want an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone). In case your language is about to English, the watch will now additionally provide prompts in Messages, like suggesting Apple Money if the person is requested for a donation. Name Screening and Maintain Help may even come to the cellphone app on the watch, letting customers resolve whether or not to take or decline calls, or ask for extra data.
As standard, there are new clock faces so that you can select from. And you’ll lastly be capable to use the Notes app on the watch, which can be extra necessary to a few of us than others.
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