{"id":179061,"date":"2025-06-12T18:49:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T18:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/179061\/"},"modified":"2025-06-12T18:49:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T18:49:25","slug":"apple-watchos-26-everything-you-need-to-know-after-wwdc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/179061\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple watchOS 26: Everything you need to know after WWDC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>No, you didn&#8217;t sleep through a few years\u2014<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple<\/a> watchOS is skipping a few numbers, jumping from the current watchOS 11 to watchOS 26 as part of a range-wide rebrand.<\/p>\n<p>The company finally revealed the new update as part of its annual <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/computing\/software\/apple-wwdc-2025\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/computing\/software\/apple-wwdc-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WWDC 2025<\/a> conference, and it&#8217;s a big one across both the watch&#8217;s UI and fitness.<\/p>\n<p>You can catch up with everything across other platforms via our <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/live\/wwdc-2025\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/live\/wwdc-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WWDC 2025 live blog<\/a>, but for now, we&#8217;re focusing on the latest update for the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/best-apple-watch\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/best-apple-watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best Apple Watches<\/a> in 2025: watchOS 26.<\/p>\n<p>You may like<\/p>\n<p>From a fresh UI to an AI fitness assistant that can give you a pep talk, here&#8217;s everything we know.<\/p>\n<p>watchOS 26: Cut to the chase<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>What is it? <\/strong>Apple&#8217;s next wearable software for Apple Watch<\/li>\n<li><strong>When is it out? <\/strong>Expect betas from June, with an official release in September 2025<\/li>\n<li><strong>Who will get it?<\/strong> If you can run watchOS 11, you&#8217;ll get access to watchOS 26.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>watchOS 26: Potential release date<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.28%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dRnySysrpfRsocTNcXs7XV.jpg\" alt=\"Apple Intelligence WWDC 2025\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dRnySysrpfRsocTNcXs7XV.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dRnySysrpfRsocTNcXs7XV.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<p>Apple always showcases its latest and greatest software at the opening address on the morning of the first day, and as per tradition watchOS 26 was revealed alongside <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/phones\/ios\/ios-19-new-features-a-new-design-and-everything-you-need-to-know\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/phones\/ios\/ios-19-new-features-a-new-design-and-everything-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iOS 26<\/a>, macOS 26, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tablets\/ipad\/ipados-19-4-rumored-new-features-and-2-id-like-to-see\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tablets\/ipad\/ipados-19-4-rumored-new-features-and-2-id-like-to-see\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iPadOS 26<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As for when it&#8217;s available, there&#8217;s plenty of history to follow there, too.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;d be very surprised if the first developer beta for watchOS 26 wasn&#8217;t released this week, immediately following <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/wwdc\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/wwdc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WWDC<\/a> 2025, with a public beta to follow within a month or so\u2014look for that in July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.<\/p>\n<p>With Apple tending to launch new <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple-watch\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple-watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch<\/a> devices in September, watchOS 26 will likely arrive at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Expect it alongside <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-series-11\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-series-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch Series 11<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-ultra-3-all-the-leaks-and-rumors-so-far-and-what-we-want-to-see\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-ultra-3-all-the-leaks-and-rumors-so-far-and-what-we-want-to-see\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch Ultra 3<\/a>, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-se-3\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-se-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch SE 3,<\/a> as well as the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/phones\/iphone\/5-things-i-want-from-the-iphone-17-or-im-out-and-back-to-android\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/phones\/iphone\/5-things-i-want-from-the-iphone-17-or-im-out-and-back-to-android\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iPhone 17.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>watchOS 26 compatibility: Which Apple Watch models will get the new software?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LhtFZEkNbBTXiuNkVq5x3W.png\" alt=\"Apple WWDC 2025 Watch OS\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LhtFZEkNbBTXiuNkVq5x3W.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/LhtFZEkNbBTXiuNkVq5x3W.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s great news if you&#8217;re already running watchOS 11, because you&#8217;ll get access to watchOS 26 when it arrives, too.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the full list of compatible devices:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Series 6<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Series 7<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Series 8<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Series 9<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Series 10<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Ultra<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Watch Ultra 2<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>watchOS 26: New design and new features<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7xJ3c7iPBYsnrNNN6ChLyV.png\" alt=\"Apple WWDC 2025 Watch OS\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7xJ3c7iPBYsnrNNN6ChLyV.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/7xJ3c7iPBYsnrNNN6ChLyV.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<p>This year, it&#8217;s all about two things: Workouts and a new UI.<\/p>\n<p>Workouts are getting a handy coaching feature called Workout Buddy, while the Liquid Glass rollout from iOS, iPadOS, and macOS also comes to Apple Watch.<\/p>\n<p>Workout Buddy<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5NpN2otGtNpS2sGjc2ijoV.png\" alt=\"Apple WWDC 2025 Watch OS\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5NpN2otGtNpS2sGjc2ijoV.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5NpN2otGtNpS2sGjc2ijoV.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/the-apple-ai-health-coach-sounds-like-its-no-longer-stuck-in-development-hell\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/the-apple-ai-health-coach-sounds-like-its-no-longer-stuck-in-development-hell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg&#8217;s Mark Gurman had previously reported the company would revamp its Health app<\/a>, including a new AI-based coaching service. That&#8217;s now a reality with Workout Buddy, which offers personalized insights during your workouts. As Apple explains:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For example, as a user starts a run, Workout Buddy will give a personalized pep talk that may remind them of their running mileage for the week so far, or share how they are doing against their Activity ring goals: &#8220;Way to get out for your run this Wednesday morning. You&#8217;re 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring. So far this week, you&#8217;ve run 6 miles. You&#8217;re going to add to that today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@techradar\/video\/7514008283355548950\" data-video-id=\"7514008283355548950\" style=\"max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@techradar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@techradar\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@techradar\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">@techradar<\/a><br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound - TechRadar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7514008288443960086\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7514008288443960086\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">\u266c original sound &#8211; TechRadar<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Workout Buddy can help spur you on with mile splits and milestones during a workout, and more.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also adding Pacer and Race Route features for event runners, as well as new Workout Views.<\/p>\n<p>New UI<\/p>\n<p>Apple&#8217;s new &#8216;Liquid Glass&#8217; design language is coming to Apple Watch as well as iPhone, iPad, and Mac.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Across apps, this new design enables a vibrant and expressive experience that re\ufb02ects and refracts content using real-time rendering, which brings even more focus to content and makes using Apple Watch even more delightful,&#8221; Apple says.<\/p>\n<p>You can see it in the Smart Stack, notifications, Control Center and in-app controls.<\/p>\n<p>A smarter stack<\/p>\n<p>The Smart Stack will more accurately recommend what you&#8217;re looking for, which Apple says is done with improved prediction algorithms that incorporate &#8220;more contextual data, sensor data, and data from a user&#8217;s routine&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>As an example, if you find yourself with no signal and in the middle of a remote location, it&#8217;ll suggest Backtrack, or you&#8217;ll be prompted to start your Pilates workout when you get to the studio.<\/p>\n<p>Messages improvements<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/waEATBsmqwP3XTq8RAoU4W.png\" alt=\"Apple WatchOS\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/waEATBsmqwP3XTq8RAoU4W.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/waEATBsmqwP3XTq8RAoU4W.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<p>Apple Intelligence will now allow for messages to be translated while you&#8217;re reading them on your Apple Watch, and instantly translate your responses.<\/p>\n<p>This feature is Apple Watch Series 9, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-series-10-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-series-10-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch Series 10<\/a>, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-ultra-2-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-ultra-2-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple Watch Ultra 2<\/a> exclusive.<\/p>\n<p>If your Apple Watch language is in English, the device will now suggest actions based on the context of a conversation, like checking in when someone asks to hear when you&#8217;re home, or opening Apple Cash when someone asks for you to chip in for a gift.<\/p>\n<p>Everything else<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a whole host of additional features, too. The Notes app is now on your wrist (hooray!), while the Hold Assist and Call Screening functionality from iOS makes the jump, too.<\/p>\n<p>Live Listen allows for Live Captions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, while a new Photos face can shuffle images based on features.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the watch face gallery has been redesigned to make it easier to find new watch customization options.<\/p>\n<p>You may also like<br \/>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"No, you didn&#8217;t sleep through a few years\u2014Apple watchOS is skipping a few numbers, jumping from the current&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179062,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3160],"tags":[1685,53,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-179061","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gadgets","8":"tag-gadgets","9":"tag-technology","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114671895699212817","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179061\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}