At WWDC 2025, Apple has just announced watchOS 26, the latest version of the operating system for the Apple Watch. It has been updated with Liquid Glass, Apple’s new transparent design language, a new wrist swipe gesture to dismiss notifications, and an AI-powered “Workout Buddy” that cheers you on while you exercise.
watchOS 26 is a continuation of last year’s watchOS 11, but Apple has changed its numbering to match the following year in an effort to standardize the names of its operating systems, so that the watchOS numbering now corresponds to iOS, macOS, and other Apple software platforms. As in previous years, developer access starts today, with a public beta coming next month. The full release will take place this fall along with the new Apple Watch.
Liquid Glass, the new design language that Apple is introducing in its software this year, is being applied throughout the operating system. The new transparent aesthetic will be applied to widgets, notifications, the Control Center, app controls, and more. It will also affect the photo clock, which will now display transparent numbers that won’t block your view of photos.
Managing notifications should be a little easier with the new gesture controls. On the Apple Watch 9 or later, you can tap your wrist to dismiss notifications or incoming calls, turn off timers and alarms, and return to the watch face. The operating system can also monitor the ambient noise level and adjust the volume of notifications and incoming calls accordingly, reducing the frequency of switching the watch to silent mode.
There are also new fitness features. Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, uses your workout and fitness data to generate not only personalized ideas and tips, but also encouraging conversations. It reminds you of what you achieved during your last workouts and how close you are to your goals when you start a workout, notifies you if you’ve crossed a certain milestone, and summarizes your results at the end by letting you know if you’ve broken your personal record. To begin with, the app will work in English and with the “most popular” types of workouts.
The Workout app has also undergone a redesign, with new corner buttons that serve as shortcuts to customize your workouts or manage your music. Apple Music will also do its best to recommend playlists based on the type of workout you’re doing and what it knows about your taste.
Apple Intelligence is showing up in other places, too. If you have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 9-series or later, watchOS will support instant auto-translation in Messages, both for incoming texts and any replies you send. Smart replies will get a little smarter, and Messages will make contextual suggestions, such as starting a Check In if a friend asks you to let them know when you’ll be home.
Similar contextual behavior will also appear in Smart Stack, where “hints” will appear on the display on the liquid glass to suggest which apps you can open. Apple says this could prompt you to start a Pilates workout when you arrive at the studio at your usual time, or offer Backtrack to help you retrace your steps if you’re in a remote location with no signal.
Other updates include bringing the Notes app to watchOS, allowing you to pin notes, create new ones, and check off checklist items. Hold Assist and Call Screening will also work from your wrist, and the watch can display live captions or offer remote control when using Live Listen, Apple’s suite of tools for deaf or hard of hearing users.
“The Apple Watch is an indispensable companion for millions of people around the world, and watchOS 26 harnesses intelligence to offer an even more personalized experience,” said David Clarke, senior director of watchOS development at Apple. “From a gorgeous new design to Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence, personalized music suggestions in the Workout app, and even more intelligence in Smart Stack and Messages, we’re excited that watchOS 26 will help everyone stay active, healthy, connected, and safe all day long.”
The main additions to watchOS 11 last year were fitness features such as workout loads and the ability to pause activity rings on weekends, as well as the introduction of Live Activities and contextual widgets such as Translate when you’re traveling or Shazam if you’re out and about and music is playing.
When watchOS 26 is released this fall, it will be compatible with any Apple Watch starting with the 6 Series, the second generation Watch SE and any Watch Ultra, as well as the iPhone 11 or later. However, the Apple Intelligence features will only be available on certain models, and they also require an iPhone with Apple’s AI support.
