watchOS 26 introduces a refined design, the notes app, more intelligent fitness feedback, and small usability improvements across the system. The update was officially unveiled at Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote, held on June 9 at Apple Park in Cupertino.
WWDC is Apple’s annual developer conference, where the company previews the software updates coming later in the year. It’s aimed at developers, but closely watched by anyone using Apple devices. This year’s keynote covered all major platforms, including iOS, macOS, and visionOS. watchOS 26 was part of that lineup.
Here are all the details. But before you get too excited, let me warn you. As compared to some of the previous years, we didn’t really get that much that is new.
A slightly more polished interface
Apple is calling the new design language “Liquid Glass”. It’s not a full redesign of watchOS, but a visual update that affects how elements look and move across the screen. Panels and widgets now appear with smoother edges, translucent layering, and more responsive animation. These changes apply to parts of the interface like Control Center, the Smart Stack and in-app navigation.
The Photos watch face has also been updated, with numerals that blend into the background image rather than sitting on top of it. This gives the UI a slightly softer feel without changing how it works. The structure and layout stay the same, but the presentation is less rigid and more polished.
Workout Buddy is a step toward voice-led coaching
Workout Buddy is the one new feature that changes how the Watch interacts with you while you exercise. It uses past workout data to generate short voice prompts that play during your session. Sometimes it highlights a milestone. Other times it reminds you how far you’ve come that week.
The voice itself is synthetic, based on Fitness+ trainer recordings. You can choose the tone to customise it. It will probably be useful, unless you get annoyed with those kinds of things. You still need Bluetooth headphones and a recent iPhone nearby. And for now, it only works in English, on a handful of workout types.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Still, it’s a sign Apple is experimenting with real-time feedback. Whether that becomes something people rely on long term is another question.
Navigation inside the Workout app is a bit better. There are now corner buttons that give faster access to common tools like custom workouts, race routes, and pacers. It’s less digging, more tapping. That helps if you’ve built more than one workout type and switch between them regularly.
You can also set music or podcasts to play automatically at the start of a workout. Apple Music offers suggestions, or you can do it manually. It’s not a big change, but it saves a few steps.
Smart Stack now pays attention to context
Smart Stack hints are new. These are lightweight suggestions that pop into the stack depending on where you are or what time it is. For example, if you arrive at a gym you normally go to, a workout card might show up without you asking. It uses sensor data and routines to do this, and it mostly stays out of the way.
It’s subtle, but it might reduce the number of times you have to swipe around to find what you need.
Small improvements that might add up
You can now flick your wrist to dismiss alerts. It’s a small gesture, but it joins the existing double tap to give you more one-handed control. The watch can also adjust its own speaker volume based on how loud your surroundings are. That includes calls, timers, alarms, and Siri responses. It’s automatic and only works on newer models.
Messaging, Notes and other details
Messages adds real-time translation if you’re using a supported device. It works both ways. So you can read incoming texts in your language, and your replies get translated back. That’s limited to newer models with Apple Intelligence enabled, and not everyone will have access right away.
Notes is now on the Watch. It does what you’d expect. You can jot something down or check a quick list. That’s it. No frills, but useful in daily life.
Availability
watchOS 26 is available to developers now, with a public beta coming next month. The official release is due later this year. It works on Apple Watch Series 6 and up, including the second-gen SE and both Ultra models. Workout Buddy and some of the other intelligence features need a newer iPhone—specifically iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
The update doesn’t shift the Apple Watch in a new direction, but it nudges things forward. It’s more about refinement than reinvention. And in a way, that fits. The Watch already does a lot. Now it’s trying to do a bit less guessing and a bit more responding.
You can find more info on Apple’s website.
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