Home
News
You are here

It's about time! Apple releases watchOS 26

Apple Watch users with a compatible model can grab the useful new features available on watchOS 26.

By Alan Friedman

Published: Sep 15, 2025, 12:18 PM

0comments

Add as a preferred source on Google

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.

A view of the Apple Watch Series 11 timepiece.

Apple has released watchOS 26, the first release of the product's operating system to be branded with Apple's new naming convention (not including beta versions, of course!). The big change for the software is that it now uses the Liquid Glass design language, which brings a semi-transparent look to the display. With Liquid Glass numerals, more of the background will show through. You'll also come across Liquid Glass when viewing widgets and hints.

Pre-order your new iPhone 17 series model right here, right now!

$0 /mo

$23 ⁰⁵

$23 off (100%)

Get the iPhone 17 and enjoy improved design, better battery life, and top-tier performance. Right now, you can get the phone for $0.00/mo. with Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Buy at Verizon

$0 /mo

$27 ⁷⁷

$28 off (100%)

The slimmest iPhone is here! You can now buy the powerful iPhone Air at Verizon for $0.00/mo. with a new line activation on select Unlimited plans and a trade-in. This is an online-only offer.

Buy at Verizon

$0 /mo

$30 ⁵⁵

$31 off (100%)

The powerful iPhone 17 Pro is finally here! You can now get the new Pro with an upgraded design and a brilliant display for as low as $0.00/mo. at Verizon. You must set up a new line on an Unlimited Ultimate plan and trade in a device to take advantage.

Buy at Verizon

$2 ⁷⁷ /mo

$33 ³³

$31 off (92%)

The impressive iPhone 17 Pro Max is available at Verizon. Right now, you can save up to $1,100 on the premium device when you activate a new line and trade in an eligible device. The promo is only available with an Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Buy at Verizon

Liquid Glass will also appear when viewing notifications, Control Center, controls, and in-app navigation. The bottom line is that you'll feel as though there is a glass panel between content that seems layered on the top of the watch display and whatever is going on in the background.

Useful watchOS 26 features

Workout Buddy is a text-to-voice feature that, as its name suggests, becomes your best friend when you're working out. Your digital pal will look to inspire and motivate you. To make sure that your buddy can get you off the couch or away from that pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, the feature uses the same voice as an Apple Fitness+ trainer. You'll find Workout Buddy to be your new best friend, even if he/she is just a virtual pal.

Apple promoting its Workout Buddy feature for watchOS 26.

Workout Buddy is your virtual friend who inspires and motivates you. | Image credit-Apple

With Live Translation, AI is used to translate texts into your preferred language. This expands the world that you can communicate with via your watch. Did you add a preferred background for your chats on the iPhone? You'll see them on your Apple Watch, too. Another useful tool is Smart Actions. If a pal makes a request for some information via a text, Smart Actions will tell you what the next step will be for you to take. For example, if your friend wants to know where you are, Find My will appear on the display so you can share your location with a single tap.

The eagerly-awaited watchOS 26 update is here now for compatible Apple Watch models. Image credit-Apple

Call screening will do exactly what its name implies, asking callers for their name and reason for calling. You can look at the response and decide whether you want to take the call or dismiss it. The iPhone's Hold Assist also comes to the Apple Watch with watchOS 26. While you're on hold, the Apple Watch will monitor your call and alert you when a live agent returns to talk with you. This allows you to do other things while waiting on hold.

Other watchOS 26 features that you'll use

Apple has improved the prediction algorithm used with Smart Stack to give you timely suggestions that you can use immediately. A gentle prompt will let you know when you've received a fresh hint. You can dismiss an incoming call, a timer, notifications, and more by rotating your wrist away from your body. Also helpful, the Notes app is now available on the Apple Watch. And a new feature will automatically adjust the volume of your Apple Watch based on ambient noise.

Do you like watchOS 26?

Yes. It has many useful features I can't wait to use.

52.94%

No. It is nothing special.

23.53%

It's too early to say.

23.53%

New watch faces that are available with watchOS 26 include Flow, which includes a heaping helping of Liquid Glass numerals combined with a colorful, moving sphere. For the Apple Watch Ultra, the new Waypoint watch face features a live compass along with options for satellite connectivity and Night Mode.

How to install the update on your Apple Watch

You can install watchOS 26 on your Apple Watch by following these directions:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone (iPhone 11 or iPhone SE 2 or later).
Go to the My watch tab.
Tap on General > Software Update.
If the update appears, tap on Download and Install.

The following Apple Watch models are eligible to be updated to watchOS 26:

Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman