WatchOS 26: What’s New in Apple Watch’s Control Center

Apple Watch is about to gain a feature that brings it even closer to its iPhone counterpart. At WWDC 2025, Apple revealed WatchOS 26, the next major update for their smartwatches.

This update introduces a host of exciting improvements, including a sleek new design, the addition of Apple Notes, and notable updates to the Workout app. However, the most exciting change might be the upgrade to the Control Center, which is getting a major boost in functionality.

For the first time, the Apple Watch will support third-party controls within the Control Center. This change mirrors what was introduced on iPhone and iPad in recent years, allowing users to personalize their control panels with additional options from third-party apps. With WatchOS 26, the Apple Watch will follow suit, making it more customizable than ever before.

When WatchOS 26 drops this fall, you’ll be able to enjoy the new feature and add custom controls from a wide range of apps. What’s even more exciting is that you won’t need every developer to specifically add controls for the Watch. Instead, your Apple Watch will tap into the third-party controls already available on your iPhone.

In addition to third-party controls, WatchOS 26 introduces a new ‘From Your iPhone’ section in the Control Center, which allows you to manage and add your iPhone’s controls to your Watch. The editing screen has also been redesigned to make this process much easier. You’ll now see a “Suggested” controls section at the top, helping you find the most relevant options without endless scrolling.

With all these updates, the Control Center on your Apple Watch is becoming far more functional and user-friendly. Personally, I’m excited to install the final version of WatchOS 26 on my Apple Watch as soon as it’s available this fall. If you’re eager to try it out, Apple will offer a public beta in July, with the stable release arriving later in the year. For now, developers are already testing the beta versions.