watchOS 26 release date, new Apple Watch features & compatibility

Apple Watch is a decade old at this point, meaning it can be hard for the company to find features to excite users.

Thankfully, that’s not the case this year, with watchOS 26 (jumping from watchOS 11) marking the debut of Apple Intelligence features on the device (albeit not natively), big changes to the Workout app, and the continuation of the new visual design dubbed ‘Liquid Glass’ which can be found on iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS this year.

In the WWDC keynote, Apple confirmed it’ll also offer new Messages features, like instant two-way translation, as well as a much smarter, um, Smart Stack. Here’s everything we’ve learned about the update so far, including when you can load it onto your device.

watchOS 26 release date: When is the new Apple Watch software coming out?

• Full version: September 15 (predicted)

As is usually the case, Apple hasn’t revealed when we can expect the final version of watchOS 26 to launch, but we can hazard a guess based on the company’s track record. Expect it to arrive in September, alongside the latest Apple Watch model, and a potential Ultra 3 and new SE version.

Next watchOS name: watchOS 26 not watchOS 19

What’s in a name? While Apple has traditionally moved its watchOS releases up by a single number each time, the company wants to unify this year’s releases with the number 26 for 2026 (we know it’s 2025, but no one told Tim and co.).

As a result, you can expect iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 (still dubbed Tahoe) as well as watchOS 26.

watchOS 26 supported devices

• The update is available on all Apple Watches that ran watchOS 11
• Live Translate is only on the Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2.

watchOS 12 will support all devices that can run watchOS 11, which is great news for all, although Live Translation via Messages is exclusive to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.

watchOS developer and public betas

• Developer beta: from June 9
• Public beta: from July 14 (estimated)

Apple drops developer betas on the same day as WWDC, letting app builders go hands-on with the new features and incorporate them into future updates. A public beta will follow in July, it announced.

If you are interested in using the beta, you can join Apple’s beta program. The beta program involves running software that will have some stability issues, and you are expected to provide Apple with details of any issues through the Apple Feedback app.

watchOS 26 New features

• ‘Liquid Glass’ redesign
• Workout Buddy
• Smart Stack improvements

Here’s everything new in watchOS 26, including that all-important Workout Buddy.

Major design overhaul

Apple’s codename ‘Solarium’ update will roll out across all of the company’s platforms, and that means watchOS 26 will look more visually striking than any Apple Watch update in years.

Dubbed ‘Liquid Glass’, the new design language is applied to the Smart Stack, notifications window, Control Center, in-app controls and beyond.

Apple

Workout Buddy

As the name suggests, the Workout Buddy is a huge update for Workout, which also gains features like Pacing, Race Routes and more.

Workout Buddy will give you an AI-constructed voice (with multiple options to choose from) which can give you a pep talk when you start a workout, and can give you updates and encouragement as you run. Expect mile splits, activity goal updates, and more, including heart rate data.

Apple will also recommend Apple Music playlists for your runs, which is great (unless you’re on Spotify).

Smart Stack

Smart Stack has got better in recent years, but it’s not just the Liquid Glass that’s new this year. Apple says its prediction algorithms are improved, incorporating (and we quote) “more contextual data, sensor data, and data from a user’s routine”.

Put simply, it’ll recommend Maps if you’re somewhere new, or queue up your Spin workout and accompanying playlist when you reach the gym.

Apple

watchOS 26 new and updated apps

• Notes app
• Messages improvements

Apple Watch will finally gain the Notes app, as well as updates to Messages that add much more color.

Notes App

The long-running Apple Notes app will finally come to Apple Watch, letting users running watchOS 26 check their notes on their wrist.

Messages

As with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, users will be able to set custom backgrounds for conversations.

If you’re using an Apple Watch Ultra 2, Series 9, or Series 10, you’ll also be able to use Live Translation to translate incoming messages, and translate your responses, too.

Apple