Upgrade or Skip? Apple watchOS 26 Compatibility List & Must-Know Features

Apple recently announced watchOS 26 at its annual developer’s event, WWDC 2025. This new operating system update will make the Apple Watch more intelligent, attractive, and valuable. It includes a new design, artificial intelligence features, and numerous significant changes, ranging from fitness to notes. 

If you use an Apple Watch, this update could be beneficial for you. Let’s review all the essential information related to this update, including which devices it supports, what’s new in it, and how to install it.

Which Apple Watches Will Support This Update?

watchOS 26, the latest update, is exclusively designed for Apple Watch models that already run watchOS 11. This means that if you’re the proud owner of an Apple Watch Series 6 or a newer model, you’re in for a treat with this exclusive update.

Apple Watch Supported devices:

Note: To run this update, your iPhone must also be running on iOS 26, which is possible only in iPhone 11 or newer models. Older watch models, such as Series 4, Series 5, and the first SE model, are not included in this update.

Key Features Of Apple watchOS 26

1. New Liquid Glass interface

The most noticeable change in watchOS 26 is its new Liquid Glass interface, which gives the entire watch a completely new look. It provides an interface with a smoother, more transparent, and attractive design. Now, the Control Center, notifications, and apps will look more shiny and fluid.

2. Control the Watch by turning the wrist

Now, you can do a lot of things easily with just a slight twist of your wrist. For example, if the alarm rings, you can turn it off by shaking your wrist or skip a notification. This feature is currently limited to Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2.

3. Workout Buddy – Your AI fitness coach

Now, the Apple Watch will also become your workout partner. The new AI-powered Workout Buddy will track your exercise, provide motivation in between, and also offer a performance report after the workout is complete. This feature is very special for health enthusiasts.

4. Entry of Notes app

For the first time, you will have a Notes app on your Apple Watch, which allows you to create notes directly from the watch, create checklists, and sync them with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac via iCloud.

5. Smart Stack and Live Translation

Now the watch itself will understand what to show you when. If you are in the gym, the workout app will appear, maps or travel notifications during travel. Also, with Live Translation, you can see the message spoken in any language live in your language.

6. Special features for accessibility

Now, the watch has become more smart for people with disabilities, including those who are blind or have hearing impairments.

• Live Captions – Live subtitles of any call or video

• Hold Assist – Easy long touch on the screen.

• Call Screening – Information about unknown calls on the watch itself

How To Update Apple watchOS 26?

To get the watchOS 26 update, first, ensure that your Apple Watch is a Series 6 or later model. And your iPhone is running on iOS 26. From July 2025, Apple will make its Beta version available publicly, and interested users can try it out. For this, update the iPhone to iOS 26. 

Then open the Watch app and install watchOS 26 Beta by going to General → Software Update. Keep the watch on charge, ensuring the battery is more than 50% charged and connected to Wi-Fi. The developer beta is available now, but if you use the watch every day, it would be better to wait for the final update in September 2025 to avoid bugs.

watchOS 26 makes the Apple Watch more intelligent, attractive, and feature-rich than ever. Features like Liquid Glass design, smart gestures, AI fitness coach, Notes app and Live Translation make it an all-round update. If you have a Series 6 or newer model, make sure to get this update. While it might be interesting to try out the beta version, it’s wise to wait for the final version for a hassle-free experience.