June 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
watchOS 26 Introduces Enhanced Personalization for an Active, Healthy, and Connected Lifestyle
Apple unveils a refined software design for the Apple Watch, featuring Workout Buddy—an innovative workout companion powered by Apple Intelligence. The Smart Stack and Messaging capabilities have also been upgraded for greater intelligence and ease of use.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA—Today, Apple showcased watchOS 26, designed to enhance user experience with a stunning new look and personalized features that promote activity, health, and connection. The new design, incorporating Liquid Glass, beautifies key elements like the Smart Stack, Control Center, Photos watch face, and in-app navigation while keeping the familiar essence of watchOS intact. With the help of Apple Intelligence, Workout Buddy transforms workouts by providing personalized, real-time motivation based on each user’s fitness data. Additionally, watchOS 26 simplifies everyday interactions with proactive Smart Stack suggestions and smarter messaging, along with a new wrist flick gesture for easily dismissing notifications.
“Apple Watch is an essential companion for millions globally, and watchOS 26 leverages intelligence for an even more customized experience,” stated David Clark, Apple’s Senior Director of watchOS Engineering. “From our stunning new design and Workout Buddy featuring personalized music to improved Smart Stack and Messages functionality, we’re thrilled to offer numerous ways that watchOS 26 can help users stay active, healthy, connected, and safe every day.”
A Stunning New Design
The refreshed software design in watchOS 26 features Liquid Glass, creating a more vibrant experience that highlights content and enhances user interaction. The updated Smart Stack widgets, notifications, Control Center, and in-app controls will adopt this new aesthetic. Users will also appreciate the improved Photos watch face, which showcases numerals crafted from Liquid Glass, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience.
Introducing Workout Buddy Powered by Apple Intelligence
Workout Buddy brings a revolutionary fitness experience, utilizing Apple Intelligence to offer personalized motivational insights by analyzing users’ workout data and fitness history.
For instance, as a user begins a run, Workout Buddy may share reminders about weekly mileage or current Activity ring progress: “Great start to your Wednesday run! You’re just 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring and have logged 6 miles this week.”
Throughout the workout, it marks key milestones, providing updates based on performance: “You just completed mile four with a pace of 8:28. And congratulations! You’ve surpassed 200 miles this year!”
After the workout, Workout Buddy summarizes the entire session: “You ran 4.3 miles in 38 minutes with an average pace of 8:58. That’s your longest run in the last 28 days! What’s next?”
Workout Buddy analyzes data privately and securely, utilizing a new text-to-speech model that mimics voice data from Fitness+ trainers to deliver motivational comments with the optimal energy and style. The feature will be accessible through Apple Watch alongside Bluetooth headphones, requiring an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.
Enhanced Features in the Workout App
The Workout app, a favorite among Apple Watch users, receives a major layout upgrade in watchOS 26, introducing four new buttons to facilitate easy access to key features such as Workout Views, Custom Workout, Pacer, and Race Route.
For added inspiration, users can set music and podcasts within the Workout app, which will automatically play during workouts. Apple Music will also curate playlists based on workout type and user preferences.
Smart Stack Becomes More Intuitive
The Smart Stack in watchOS 26 features enhanced predictive algorithms, using contextual data and user routines to provide proactive hints. These visual prompts, rendered in Liquid Glass, will guide users with actionable suggestions, such as navigating backtracks while in remote locations or suggesting a workout upon arriving at a familiar venue.
Enhanced Messaging Experience
Apple Watch now offers Live Translation within Messages, automatically converting incoming texts to a user’s preferred language. Additionally, responses can be translated for the conversation partner. This feature, available on select Apple Watch models paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, supports multiple languages including English, French, German, and more.
Smart Replies get a boost in precision, thanks to an enhanced language model that tailors responses to ongoing conversations. For users whose devices are set to English, Apple Watch also suggests pertinent actions in Messages based on the context of chats.
Simplified Notification Management
Managing notifications is now easier with a simple wrist flick gesture, available on recent Apple Watch models. Users can quickly dismiss notifications, silence alarms, or return to the watch face, facilitating fluid interaction during busy moments. Additionally, the device will automatically adjust audio levels for notifications based on surrounding noise, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity without bothering those nearby.
Notable Additions in watchOS 26:
- Notes App: Users can access notes, pin important ones, or create new entries using Siri or dictation.
- Hold Assist & Call Screening: Features designed for better phone call management while an iPhone is nearby.
- Live Listen Controls: Enhanced features for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, including real-time captions.
- Photos Face: Now showcases images based on Featured content, refreshing every time users interact with their watch.
- Revamped Watch Face Gallery: An updated interface for easier exploration of watch faces on the device and iPhone app.
Developer Opportunities
Developers can utilize new APIs across watchOS 26, allowing for the incorporation of the new design materials, as well as new functionalities for the Smart Stack and Control Center.
Availability
These features are available for testing today through the Apple Developer Program and will enter public beta next month. watchOS 26 will roll out as a free update this fall for select Apple Watch models paired with compatible iPhones. Features may vary based on region and device compatibility.
About Apple
Apple has transformed personal technology since the launch of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, it leads the innovation landscape with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms provide seamless experiences across devices, empowering users through groundbreaking services like the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple Pay.
Press Contacts
Nikki Rothberg
Apple
nrothberg@apple.comClare Varellas
Apple
cvarellas@apple.com- Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com