Apple has officially previewed watchOS 26, the latest evolution of its smartwatch operating system, promising a more beautiful, intelligent, and personalized Apple Watch experience. With a striking new design, the debut of Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence, and smarter features across the board, watchOS 26 is set to make staying active, healthy, and connected easier and more delightful than ever.

A Stunning Redesign: Liquid Glass and Expressive Interactions

At the heart of watchOS 26 is a gorgeous new visual language. The interface now features Liquid Glass, a dynamic design element that brings real-time reflections and refractions to the Smart Stack, Control Center, Photos watch face, and in-app navigation. This not only makes content more immersive but also keeps the familiar ease-of-use that Apple Watch fans love.

• Photos Watch Face: Enhanced with Liquid Glass numerals, users can now enjoy their favorite memories with even more clarity and vibrancy.
• Smart Stack & Notifications: Widgets and notifications now feel alive, thanks to the expressive new design that puts your most important information front and center.

Apple Intelligence Powers a Smarter Fitness Experience

Workout Buddy: Your Personalized Fitness Coach

For the first time, Apple is bringing its Apple Intelligence platform directly to fitness with Workout Buddy. This innovative feature uses your workout data and fitness history to deliver real-time, spoken motivation and insights during your session.

• Personalized Pep Talks: As you start a run, Workout Buddy might say, “You’re 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring. So far this week, you’ve run 6 miles. You’re going to add to that today.”
• Milestone Recognition: Get live updates when you hit new personal bests, like running your fastest mile or crossing a major distance milestone.
• Dynamic Recaps: After your workout, receive a summary—“You went 4.3 miles in just over 38 minutes. That was your longest run of the last 28 days!”

Workout Buddy uses a new text-to-speech model, drawing on the energy and style of Fitness+ trainers, and ensures all data is analyzed privately and securely on your device. It supports popular workout types, including running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training, and requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby.

Workout App Overhaul

The Workout app receives its biggest update ever, with a streamlined layout and four new corner buttons for quick access to features like Workout Views, Custom Workouts, and Race Route. Plus, Apple Music now suggests the perfect playlist or podcast for your workout, tailored to your tastes and activity type.

Smarter Everyday Features: Proactive Smart Stack, Enhanced Messages, and More

Proactive Smart Stack

The Smart Stack is now more intelligent, using contextual and sensor data to deliver timely hints and suggestions. For example, if you arrive at your Pilates studio, you might see a prompt to start your usual workout, or if you’re in a remote area, a Backtrack hint will appear to help you navigate.

Live Translation and Intelligent Messaging

watchOS 26 brings Live Translation to Messages, allowing real-time translation of incoming and outgoing texts right on your wrist. Whether you’re traveling or chatting with friends abroad, communication is seamless and instant. The system also suggests smart actions—like sharing your ETA or sending Apple Cash—based on conversation context, and introduces customizable backgrounds for more personal, expressive chats.

Effortless Notifications with Wrist Flick

Managing notifications is now easier than ever. With a simple wrist flick gesture, users can dismiss notifications, silence timers, or decline calls—ideal for moments when your hands are full. This joins the double tap gesture, further enhancing one-handed usability.

Adaptive Audio and Accessibility Upgrades

Apple Watch can now automatically adjust speaker volume based on ambient noise, ensuring you stay aware without disturbing those around you. For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, new Live Listen controls and real-time captions make audio content more accessible than ever.

Additional Features and Developer Tools

Notes App on Apple Watch: Access, pin, unlock, and create notes directly from your wrist.

Hold Assist & Call Screening: Get notified when a live agent is available or screen unknown calls with ease.

Photos Face Shuffle: See featured photos and meaningful moments every time you check your watch.

Redesigned Watch Face Gallery: Discover and customize watch faces grouped into themed collections.

New APIs for Developers: SwiftUI enhancements, Control Widget API, and Smart Stack Relevance API empower developers to create richer, more context-aware experiences.