Apple has unveiled the new watchOS 26 at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025. The OS will debut on the Apple Watch Series 11 at the tech giant’s fall event later this year. Following its debut, it will be rolled out on eligible devices. watchOS 26 incorporates Apple’s new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language. The new nomenclature brings uniformity across all Apple devices.
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In This Article
What’s new on watchOS 26?
The new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language brings a new look to the watchOS 26. Its translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, giving the content more room on the screen. It is integrated into Smart Stack widgets, Smart Stack hints, notifications, Control Center, and in-app controls and navigation. The numerals in the Photos watch face will showcase the translucent design as well.
The Workout app on watchOS 26 has been updated with Workout Buddy – an Apple Intelligence feature that analyses the user’s workout data and fitness history to generate motivational insights tailored to their workout session. It also keeps track of the workout metrics and reminds the user of key stats and milestones. The stats are recapped at the end of the session. Workout Buddy requires an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby. It will be available in popular workout types like Outdoor and Indoor Run, Outdoor and Indoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, and Functional and Traditional Strength Training.
The layout of the Workout app has been tweaked to make its features more accessible. Users can now access custom workouts and set up Apple Music on the main page of the app. Based on the workout type, Apple Music can select the relevant playlist. It also recommends playlists and podcasts based on the user’s listening history in that workout type.
The Smart Stack helps users access key information directly on the watch face. It now incorporates the Liquid Glass design. Apple has also improved its prediction algorithms by incorporating more contextual data, sensor data, and data from a user’s routine. This makes the Smart Stacks hints more useful and relevant to the user’s current status.
In line with iOS 26, the watchOS 26 gets Live Translation in the Messages app. This feature requires an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone. The incoming texts are automatically translated into the user’s preferred language. The texts sent by the user are also translated for the receiver. Live Translation will be made available on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
watchOS 26 makes notifications easier to manage. If the user is tied up in other tasks, they can simply flick their wrist to dismiss any incoming notification. It can also be used to dismiss incoming calls and silence timers and alarms. The wrist movement is analysed by a machine learning model using the data from the accelerometer and the gyroscope.
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Final Thoughts
Other additions to the watchOS include the Notes app, Live Listen (for users with hearing disabilities), Hold Assist and Call Screening, and a redesigned watch face gallery. As mentioned earlier, the watchOS 26 will debut on the Apple Watch Series 11 this fall. Its Public Beta version will be rolled out next month.
