{"id":12659,"date":"2025-09-09T22:34:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T22:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/12659\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T22:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T22:34:08","slug":"apple-announces-watchos-26-release-date-heres-whats-coming-to-your-apple-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/12659\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple announces watchOS 26 release date: Here’s what’s coming to your Apple Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

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At its \u2018Awe Dropping\u2019 Apple Event<\/a>, Apple today announced the release date of its next watchOS version: watchOS 26. The update will begin rolling out next week on Monday, September 15th \u2013 bringing a plethora of new features to compatible Apple Watch models.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new in watchOS 26<\/p>\n

As is the story with the rest of Apple\u2019s operating systems, the new Liquid Glass design language truly is the star of the show here. Control Center has a fresh new look, Smart Stack looks stunning, and controls in apps have been updated. Liquid Glass truly comes to life on watch faces with pictures, though, since you can see even more of your photos.<\/p>\n

Outside of Liquid Glass, there\u2019s a new Workout Buddy feature. It\u2019s essentially a personal trainer on your watch, providing little motivating messages as it sees fit. It utilizes your fitness history, giving you a personalized experience. This feature requires an Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a new Wrist Flick feature, allowing you to easily dismiss notifications, calls, and more with a simple flick of the wrist. There\u2019s also Live Translation in Messages, allowing you to easily communicate across language barriers. Messages also packs a new contextual smart action feature. For example, if someone asks for your location, a Find My suggestion will appear.<\/p>\n

watchOS 26 also includes Call Screening and Hold Assist, allowing you to manage robocalls and customer service calls with ease. Apple\u2019s Notes app also makes an appearance on the Apple Watch for the first time.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, Siri will automatically adjust the volume of your incoming calls and notifications based on your ambient noise \u2013 preventing your Apple Watch from being unnecessarily loud in the wrong places.<\/p>\n

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Compatibility<\/p>\n

To install watchOS 26, you\u2019ll need an Apple Watch Series 6 or later, an Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), or any Apple Watch Ultra model. You\u2019ll also need a compatible iPhone running iOS 26: meaning an iPhone 11 or later. iPhone XS and XR got dropped this time around.<\/p>\n

All Apple Watch models that ran last year\u2019s watchOS 11 release are still compatible with this year\u2019s watchOS 26 release, though that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019ll receive all of the features. Some key features, including wrist flick, live translation, automatic volume adjustment, and new smart actions in Messages will require an Apple Watch Series 9, 10, or Ultra 2.<\/p>\n

Learn more about today\u2019s Apple Event, including the new iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods announcements in our dedicated roundup here.<\/p>\n

My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:<\/p>\n

Follow Michael:\u00a0X\/Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

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