Together with iPadOS 26, iOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple has additionally introduced watchOS 26, which brings a number of updates to Apple Watch. Nonetheless, not like iOS, iPadOS, and even macOS, Apple hasn’t dropped any help for watch fashions between watchOS 11 and watchOS 26.
In case your Apple Watch is already working watchOS 11, it can additionally help watchOS 26.
Nonetheless, not like iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, new watchOS 26 options are restricted to the most recent technology of fashions ranging from the S9 or later.
When you have an Apple Watch and are questioning whether or not your watch helps the most recent watchOS 26, here’s a record of official Apple Watch watchOS 26 help, together with the highest 6 options coming to Apple watchOS and the anticipated rollout timeline.
Apple WatchOS 26 Supported record
All the most recent fashions from the watch sequence 6 or later are appropriate with the most recent Watch OS 26.
- Apple Watch SE (2nd technology)
- Apple Watch Sequence 6
- Apple Watch Sequence 7
- Apple Watch Sequence 8
- Apple Watch Sequence 9
- Apple Watch Sequence 10
- Apple Watch Extremely
- Apple Watch Extremely 2
Apple Watch OS 26: Anticipated rollout timeline
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Date
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watchOS 11 Timeline (2024)
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watchOS 26 Timeline (2025, Anticipated)
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|---|---|---|
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June 10/11
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Introduced at WWDC, Dev Beta 1 launched
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Introduced at WWDC 25, Dev Beta 1 launched
|
|
Late June
|
Developer Beta 2
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Developer Beta 2 (anticipated)
|
|
Early July
|
Developer Beta 3
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Developer Beta 3 (anticipated)
|
|
Mid-July
|
Public Beta 1 (after ~3 Dev Betas)
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Public Beta 1 (anticipated)
|
|
Late July–August
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Extra Developer & Public Betas
|
Extra Developer & Public Betas
|
|
Early September
|
Launch Candidate (ultimate beta)
|
Launch Candidate (ultimate beta) (anticipated)
|
|
September 18-30
|
Official public launch (with iOS 18)
|
Anticipated public launch (Sept 16–205, 2025) (anticipated)
|
Easy methods to Improve to Apple watchOS 26
In case your Apple Watch is on the supported record, you possibly can improve it to the most recent watchOS 26 developer beta. Nonetheless, to replace, it’s a must to improve your iPhone to the most recent iOS 26 beta.
Guarantee your iPhone additionally helps iOS 26, and that you’ve got enrolled your iPhone within the iOS 26 beta. In case your iPhone is within the supported record, you possibly can go to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace, Beta Replace,a nd choose iOS 26 for beta and set up iOS 26 for beta in your iPhone.
Now it’s a must to set up the watchOS 26 beta in your watch. Open the Watch app in your iPhone, go to My Watch > Normal > Software program Replace. Right here, faucet on Beta Updates and select watchOS 26 beta.
Join your Apple Watch to your iPhone and guarantee your watch has greater than 50% of battery and Apple Watch is plugged in and charging, and guarantee each are linked to the identical Wi-Fi community.
Now, in your watch, go to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace and faucet Obtain and Set up for the watchOS 26 beta.
Upon getting, it is possible for you to to entry watchOS 26 in your gadget, however earlier than that, since it’s a developer beta, it could actually have bugs and points that may spoil your each day expertise, particularly in case you use Apple Watch every day. And likewise, there is no such thing as a simple technique to revert to the sooner model. So preserve this in thoughts earlier than putting in watchOS 26 in your gadget.
5 Greatest Adjustments Coming to Apple Watch OS 26
Liquid Glass Design
The largest change this 12 months for Apple’s OS is the brand new Liquid Design that provides a glassy, translucent design all through the system that brings translucent UI parts to widgets, notifications, Management Heart, and even navigation buttons.
For the reason that Liquid UI parts are designed to be massive and extra interactive, this new replace would possibly make WatchOS higher optimized for the touchscreen.
Apple Stay Translation is coming to Apple Watch
Apple Stay Translation can also be making its technique to Apple Watches. With this, you possibly can immediately translate textual content in your Apple Watch with out relying in your iPhone and or web connection.
Stay Translate is robotically accessible contained in the Messages, FaceTime Audio, and even for calls with Siri. watchOS 26 additionally provides help for display screen and maintain help, which is a part of iOS 26.
For the reason that Stay Translation is constructed into on-device, you might be required to have an Apple Sequence 9, 10, Extremely 2, and iPhone 15 Professional or later to make it work in your Apple Watch. You’ll be able to instantly translate and supply real-time translation in your Apple Watch with out. The interpretation additionally neatly integrates with good replies and is supported on third-party apps.
Exercise Buddy
Apple is rumored to be engaged on AI health help, and with watchOS 26, Apple has launched a tiny model of it.
With watchOS 26, Apple has launched a brand new Exercise Buddy that analyses your real-time exercise information and gives real-time AI-powered voice help. In case you are doing a exercise, it could actually analyze your tempo, coronary heart price, weekly exercise traits, and your private aim, and supply help, and likewise talk with you about your achievements and objectives whereas doing the exercise.
Exercise Buddy requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence to work, which means that now it’s a must to have an iPhone 15 or later gadget and likewise an Apple Watch working on S9 or later to make this function work.
Smarter Sensible Stack
Apple Sensible Stack on Watch is a really helpful function that allows you to place widgets instantly on the house display screen and entry them immediately everytime you want them.
Since these are widgets, they usually include helpful data and make it simple to get them with out going by complicated UI parts to open the app.
And with watchOS 26, it’s getting even smarter. Apple has launched new contextual intelligence to counsel widgets primarily based in your actions in your Apple Watch.
Apple says these widgets can adapt primarily based in your location, time, and habits and counsel helpful actions resembling opening a exercise app if you are on the gymnasium, sleep test if you are at bedtime, instructions if you are on the bus cease or practice station, and extra.
Wrist Flick Gestures
One other small however helpful replace is a wrist flick gesture on the watchOS 26 that permits you to dismiss calls, silence alarms, or dismiss notifications utilizing a gesture.
Nonetheless, this function is just accessible on the Apple Watch Sequence 9, 10, and Apple Watch Extremely 2, and it makes use of movement sensors to detect your motion.
It is a very helpful function, and it eliminates the necessity for tapping in your display screen whenever you’re multitasking.
If you obtain a notification you don’t need to see or an alarm buzzing in your wrist, you possibly can merely flick your wrist to dismiss notifications.
Notes App on Apple Watch
With watchOS 26, Apple is bringing the Notes app to the Apple Watch, permitting you to create new notes and examine all of your notes in a single place.
Whereas it might not be appropriate to take lengthy notes, with the helpful voice translation, you possibly can instantly convert your voice into textual content and jot down your concepts, particularly because it doesn’t require you to drag out your smartphone each single time.
You’ll be able to view all of your notes, and so they robotically sync throughout your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The Notes app additionally helps Scribble enter and can be utilized offline, with modifications syncing later to your iPhone.
These are the six largest modifications coming to watchOS 26. As well as, watchOS 26 brings a redesigned Exercise app matching the Liquid Interface design, a redesigned Management Heart with higher icons and quicker entry to frequent actions, and automated voice changes primarily based in your atmosphere.
Right here is the entire changelog of watchOS 26:
watchOS 26 Change Log
- Liquid Glass UI Redesign
- Translucent menus, notifications, and app backgrounds
- Up to date icons and smoother animations all through the system
Apple Intelligence
- On-device AI for textual content, ideas, and notifications
- Sensible reply and message ideas powered by AI
- Create and ship customized emoji utilizing Apple Intelligence (supported on Sequence 9, 10, Extremely, Extremely 2)
- Stay Translation
- Actual-time language translation for Messages and Telephone
- Immediately interprets incoming texts or spoken phrases in your watch
New Sensible Stack Options
- Smarter, extra related widgets primarily based on time, place, and habits
- New widgets for climate, sleep, and exercise
- Fast actions from the Sensible Stack
Exercise and Health Upgrades
- Redesigned the Exercise app with clearer stats and aim monitoring
- Automated recognition for brand new exercise sorts
- Personalised teaching notifications
Well being & Security
- Enhanced cycle monitoring, sleep monitoring, and psychological well being instruments
- Fall detection and emergency options have been improved for higher accuracy
Messages & Communication
- Group chat polls, dialog backgrounds, and typing indicators
- Apple Money is built-in for straightforward funds in Messages
- Watch Faces & Personalization
- New watch faces with animated, glass-inspired visuals
- Extra customized coloration and complication choices
Efficiency & Battery
- Adaptive energy modes for longer battery life
- Quicker app launch and smoother navigation
Accessibility
- Improved VoiceOver and bigger textual content choices
- Stay Captions for calls and media
