This yr at WWDC 2025, Apple launched a quite drastic change to its naming conventions. What needs to 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 a substitute 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 appear like frosted glass and different options appear like raindrops.
Apart from that although, anticipated Apple Intelligence options to most of its product lineup had been small and measured, quite than huge and sweeping—however for Apple Watch fans, the truth that there’s now Apple Intelligence in your wrist in any respect is perhaps sufficient. Right here, we stroll by way of among the new suggestions and methods that you’ll begin seeing in your Apple Watch this yr.
Is Your Apple Watch Appropriate?
WatchOS 26 will likely be obtainable for Apple Watches ranging from the Collection 6 or later. This contains the second-gen Apple Watch SE and all Apple Watch Extremely fashions. You could even have an iPhone 11 or later that may run the upcoming iOS 26. If you need the Apple Intelligence options, you additionally must 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 Accessible?
You possibly can obtain WatchOS 26 as a developer beta at the moment, however do not anticipate it to be good. A public beta will roll out subsequent month at beta.apple.com and WatchOS 26 will likely be obtainable as a free software program replace to suitable Watch fashions this fall.
The Prime 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! It’s also possible to see slight specular highlights across the edges of the buttons while you look intently. Good Stack—Apple’s layered widget system—will even be constituted of Liquid Glass, in order to not obscure the display screen.
Exercise Buddy
Exercise Buddy makes use of all of the train knowledge accrued by the Apple Watch—coronary heart fee, 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 knowledge to offer these insights and use voice encouragement derived from Health+ trainers. It could actually additionally mark key moments, like operating a mile notably quick. It is at present obtainable for just some 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 thought 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 acceptable playlist.
Good Stack
Courtesy of Apple
Good Stack will now incorporate extra contextual knowledge, like location and the consumer’s routine, to offer extra useful suggestions. For instance, when you arrive on the gymnasium at your common 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
In case you personal a Watch Collection 9, Watch Collection 10, or Apple Watch Extremely 2, you’ll now be capable to use a brand new wrist-flick gesture (very similar to Double Tap) to dismiss notifications or incoming calls, silence timers, and return to the clock face. A machine studying mannequin makes use of knowledge from the accelerometer and gyroscope to catch the consumer’s wrist motion.
The Watch now additionally helps Stay Translation in Messages (once more, you will have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone). In case your language is ready to English, the watch will now additionally provide 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 cellphone app on the watch, letting customers resolve whether or not to take or decline calls, or ask for extra info.
As common, 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 vital to some of us than others.
