Apple has just unveiled the all-new watchOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote, bringing a fresh design and a host of enhanced features to the Apple Watch. 
This update is all about improving daily use with new aesthetics and smarter functionality, aligning the Apple Watch even more seamlessly with the broader Apple ecosystem.
A New Look with Liquid Glass
The most immediate change you’ll notice in watchOS 26 is its sleek new design. Apple introduces Liquid Glass, a rendering system that brings a new depth to the interface. Menus, notifications, and pop-ups now shimmer with light refraction, creating a smoother and more dynamic feel
. This design refresh affects everything from the Smart Stack to the Control Center, and even the Photos watch face.
Workout Buddy
One of the standout features in watchOS 26 is Workout Buddy, a new AI-powered coach embedded in the Workout app. This virtual assistant provides spoken feedback and motivation during your workout, using real-time data such as heart rate, pace, distance, and Activity ring progress. It’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist, encouraging you as you reach new milestones. Powered by Apple’s new text-to-speech model, it uses voice samples from Fitness+ trainers, working seamlessly with Bluetooth headphones paired to an iPhone.
Smarter Workouts and Music Pairing
Apple continues to evolve the Workout app with a more intuitive layout. 
You now have four corner buttons for quick access to your workout features, including custom workouts, workout views, and race routes. Additionally, music or podcast playback now starts automatically when you begin a workout, with Apple Music suggesting personalized playlists based on your activity and preferences.
Proactive Smart Stack
watchOS 26 makes the Smart Stack even smarter, now providing contextual suggestions based on your activity. Whether it’s recommending a Backtrack session when you’re in an unfamiliar place or surfacing a Pilates workout when you arrive at your usual gym, the Smart Stack is designed to make life easier with subtle, proactive prompts.
Smarter Messaging and More
Apple Watch messages are now smarter, with Live Translation capabilities that let you instantly translate messages into your preferred language. This feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, when paired with a compatible iPhone. Other upgrades include a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications or decline calls, automatic volume adjustments, and expanded message tools for smarter replies, polls, and custom backgrounds.
Expanded Accessibility Features
Apple has enhanced Live Listen, adding real-time captions to iPhone audio sessions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Plus, you can now access, pin, and edit notes directly from your wrist, using dictation, the keyboard, or Siri.
New Watch Faces
The watch face gallery gets a refresh, organizing faces into collections, making it easier to customize and find your perfect watch face.
Compatibility and Availability
Developers can access watchOS 26 today through the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta available next month. The final release is scheduled for this fall and will be available as a free update for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and all Apple Watch Ultra models
. Note that certain features, like Workout Buddy and Live Translation, require an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models with Siri set to a supported language. As always, availability may vary depending on region and device, so be sure to check Apple’s official website for full details.