Quick Answer
watchOS 26 supports all models from Apple Watch Series 6 and SE (2nd gen) onwards. Key features include a Liquid UI, Live Translation, Workout Buddy, and smarter widgets. To upgrade, your iPhone must be on iOS 26 beta—then install the update via the Watch app. Some features need S9 or newer models and Apple Intelligence.
Along with iPadOS 26, iOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple has also announced watchOS 26, which brings several updates to the Apple Watch. However, unlike iOS, iPadOS, and even macOS, Apple hasn’t dropped any support for watch models between watchOS 11 and watchOS 26.
If your Apple Watch is already running watchOS 11, it will also support watchOS 26.
However, unlike iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, new watchOS 26 features are limited to the latest generation of models starting from the S9 or later.
If you have an Apple Watch and are wondering whether your watch supports the latest watchOS 26, here is a list of official Apple Watch watchOS 26 support, along with the top 6 features coming to Apple watchOS and the expected rollout timeline.
Table of Contents
Apple WatchOS 26 Supported list
All the latest models from the watch series 6 or later are compatible with the latest Watch OS 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 Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch OS 26: Expected rollout timeline
Date | watchOS 11 Timeline (2024) | watchOS 26 Timeline (2025, Expected) |
|---|---|---|
June 10/11 | Announced at WWDC, Dev Beta 1 released | Announced at WWDC 25, Dev Beta 1 released |
Late June | Developer Beta 2 | Developer Beta 2 (expected) |
Early July | Developer Beta 3 | Developer Beta 3 (expected) |
Mid-July | Public Beta 1 (after ~3 Dev Betas) | Public Beta 1 (expected) |
Late July–August | More Developer & Public Betas | More Developer & Public Betas |
Early September | Release Candidate (final beta) | Release Candidate (final beta) (expected) |
September 18-30 | Official public release (with iOS 18) | Expected public release (Sept 16–205, 2025) (expected) |
How to Upgrade to Apple watchOS 26
If your Apple Watch is on the supported list, you can upgrade it to the latest watchOS 26 developer beta. However, to update, you have to upgrade your iPhone to the latest iOS 26 beta.
Ensure your iPhone also supports iOS 26, and that you have enrolled your iPhone in the iOS 26 beta. If your iPhone is in the supported list, you can go to Settings > General > Software Update, Beta Update,a nd select iOS 26 for beta and install iOS 26 for beta on your iPhone.
Now you have to install the watchOS 26 beta on your watch. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch > General > Software Update. Here, tap on Beta Updates and choose watchOS 26 beta.
Connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone and ensure your watch has more than 50% of battery and Apple Watch is plugged in and charging, and ensure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Now, on your watch, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install for the watchOS 26 beta.
Once you have, you will be able to access watchOS 26 on your device, but before that, since it is a developer beta, it can have bugs and issues that can ruin your daily experience, especially if you use Apple Watch on a daily basis. And also, there is no easy way to revert to the earlier version. So keep this in mind before installing watchOS 26 on your device.
5 Biggest Changes Coming to Apple Watch OS 26
Liquid Glass Design
The biggest change this year for Apple’s OS is the new Liquid Design that adds a glassy, translucent design throughout the system that brings translucent UI elements to widgets, notifications, Control Center, and even navigation buttons.
Since the Liquid UI elements are designed to be large and more interactive, this new update might make WatchOS better optimized for the touchscreen.
Apple Live Translation is coming to Apple Watch
Apple Live Translation is also making its way to Apple Watches. With this, you can instantly translate text on your Apple Watch without depending on your iPhone and or internet connection.
Live Translate is automatically available inside the Messages, FaceTime Audio, and even for calls with Siri. watchOS 26 also adds support for screen and hold assistance, which is part of iOS 26.
Since the Live Translation is built into on-device, you are required to have an Apple Series 9, 10, Ultra 2, and iPhone 15 Pro or later to make it work on your Apple Watch. You can directly translate and offer real-time translation on your Apple Watch without. The translation also smartly integrates with smart replies and is supported on third-party apps.
Workout Buddy
Apple is rumored to be working on AI fitness assistance, and with watchOS 26, Apple has introduced a tiny version of it.
With watchOS 26, Apple has introduced a new Workout Buddy that analyses your real-time workout data and offers real-time AI-powered voice assistance. If you are doing a workout, it can analyze your pace, heart rate, weekly activity trends, and your personal goal, and offer support, and also communicate with you about your achievements and goals while doing the workout.
Workout Buddy requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence to work, meaning that now you have to have an iPhone 15 or later device and also an Apple Watch running on S9 or later to make this feature work.
Smarter Smart Stack
Apple Smart Stack on Watch is a very useful feature that lets you place widgets directly on the home screen and access them instantly whenever you need them.
Since these are widgets, they often contain useful information and make it easy to get them without going through complex UI elements to open the app.
And with watchOS 26, it is getting even smarter. Apple has introduced new contextual intelligence to suggest widgets based on your actions on your Apple Watch.
Apple says these widgets can adapt based on your location, time, and behavior and suggest useful actions such as opening a workout app while you are at the gym, sleep check while you are at bedtime, directions while you are at the bus stop or train station, and more.
Wrist Flick Gestures
Another small but useful update is a wrist flick gesture on the watchOS 26 that allows you to dismiss calls, silence alarms, or dismiss notifications using a gesture.
However, this feature is only available on the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, and it uses motion sensors to detect your movement.
This is a very handy feature, and it eliminates the need for tapping on your screen when you’re multitasking.
When you receive a notification you don’t want to see or an alarm buzzing on your wrist, you can simply flick your wrist to dismiss notifications.
Notes App on Apple Watch
With watchOS 26, Apple is bringing the Notes app to the Apple Watch, allowing you to create new notes and view all your notes in one place.
While it may not be suitable to take long notes, with the useful voice translation, you can directly convert your voice into text and jot down your ideas, especially since it doesn’t require you to pull out your smartphone every single time.
You can view all your notes, and they automatically sync across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The Notes app also supports Scribble input and can be used offline, with changes syncing later to your iPhone.
Those are the six biggest changes coming to watchOS 26. In addition, watchOS 26 brings a redesigned Workout app matching the Liquid Interface design, a redesigned Control Center with better icons and faster access to frequent actions, and automatic voice adjustments based on your environment.
Here is the complete changelog of watchOS 26:
watchOS 26 Change Log
- Liquid Glass UI Redesign
- Translucent menus, notifications, and app backgrounds
- Updated icons and smoother animations throughout the system
Apple Intelligence
- On-device AI for text, suggestions, and notifications
- Smart reply and message suggestions powered by AI
- Create and send custom emoji using Apple Intelligence (supported on Series 9, 10, Ultra, Ultra 2)
- Live Translation
- Real-time language translation for Messages and Phone
- Instantly translates incoming texts or spoken words on your watch
New Smart Stack Features
- Smarter, more relevant widgets based on time, place, and habits
- New widgets for weather, sleep, and activity
- Quick actions from the Smart Stack
Workout and Fitness Upgrades
- Redesigned the Workout app with clearer stats and goal tracking
- Automatic recognition for new workout types
- Personalized coaching notifications
Health & Safety
- Enhanced cycle tracking, sleep monitoring, and mental health tools
- Fall detection and emergency features have been improved for better accuracy
Messages & Communication
- Group chat polls, conversation backgrounds, and typing indicators
- Apple Cash is integrated for easy payments in Messages
- Watch Faces & Personalization
- New watch faces with animated, glass-inspired visuals
- More custom color and complication options
Performance & Battery
- Adaptive power modes for longer battery life
- Faster app launch and smoother navigation
Accessibility
- Improved VoiceOver and larger text options
- Live Captions for calls and media
