At its highly anticipated WWDC 2025 event, Apple unveiled watchOS 26, delivering a transformative update to Apple Watch users with cutting-edge interface design and AI-driven fitness innovations.
Liquid Glass Interface Redefines Visual Experience
The standout feature of watchOS 26 is its Liquid Glass software design, leveraging real-time rendering to create dynamic reflections and refractions across the display. This enhancement brings a new level of immersion to Smart Stack widgets, notifications, Control Center, and app navigation, making interactions more fluid and visually striking.
AI-Powered Workout Buddy Elevates Fitness Tracking
Powered by Apple Intelligence, the new Workout Buddy feature offers personalized voice coaching based on real-time metrics like heart rate, pace, distance, and Activity Rings. It provides timely encouragement—such as progress updates toward weekly mileage or Exercise Ring goals—and celebrates milestones like personal bests. Post-workout, it delivers a summary with motivational feedback. The feature requires an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone and Bluetooth headphones.
Enhanced Workout App With Quick Controls and Smart Playlists
The Workout app now includes four corner-based shortcuts for instant access to Workout Views and Custom Workouts. Users can also set up automatic music or podcast playback at the start of a session. Apple Music intelligently suggests playlists tailored to workout types and listening history.
Smarter Smart Stack and Intuitive Messaging Upgrades
watchOS 26 refines Smart Stack with predictive algorithms that surface context-aware prompts—like suggesting the Backtrack feature in low-signal areas or workout recommendations at the gym. The Messages app gains Live Translation for real-time message translations and a new wrist-flick gesture (for Series 9 and later) to dismiss notifications or calls one-handed.
Compatibility and Availability
The update supports Apple Watch Series 6 through Series 10, SE (2nd gen), Ultra, and the upcoming Ultra 2. Rollout begins immediately for developers, with a public release expected this fall.
