watchOS 26 Now Available: Key Features for Apple Watch

by Emily Clarke September 17, 2025

Apple has rolled out watchOS 26, the latest software update for Apple Watch. It’s available starting today as a free download for supported models. Here’s a quick look at what’s new.

Fresh Design & Smarter Navigation

Liquid Glass look gives apps, notifications, and widgets a more fluid style.
Smarter Smart Stack now shows more relevant widgets.
New wrist flick gesture lets you quickly dismiss alerts or return to your watch face.
Workout app redesign with faster navigation and quick controls.
Workout Buddy (powered by Apple Intelligence) offers personalized voice coaching and insights.
Automatic workout media selects the right playlist or podcast for your activity.

Expanded Health Tools

Hypertension notifications: Apple Watch can now track signs of high blood pressure and notify you over time.
Sleep score: A new nightly score based on sleep duration, consistency, and quality.
Improved Sleep app: View breakdowns of sleep factors and track long-term trends in the Health app.

Smarter Communication & Apps

Messages: Smarter replies, contextual actions, and Live Translation with Apple Intelligence.
Notes app: Now available on Apple Watch for quick note-taking.
Phone app: Adds Call Screening and Hold Assist when paired with iPhone.
Live Listen captions: Real-time captions on Apple Watch for what your iPhone hears.

New Watch Faces

Flow: Colorful Liquid Glass numerals that move with your wrist.
Exactograph: A regulator-style face showing hours, minutes, and seconds separately.
Waypoint (Ultra only): Live compass, satellite shortcuts, and Night Mode.
Updates to 20+ existing faces now include a ticking seconds hand in always-on mode.

Availability

watchOS 26 is available for:

Apple Watch Ultra and later
Apple Watch Series 6 and later
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen and later)

It requires an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 26.