Apple Watch receives major update to watchOS 26 with high blood pressure detection, Workout Buddy and more
Apple has just released its biggest updates of the year. Along with iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe, there is also watchOS 26, a comprehensive update for the Apple Watch. The update is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch Ultra, the second-generation Apple Watch SE and all newer models. The Apple Watch Series 11 already ships with watchOS 26.
Like the other updates, the Apple Watch also gets a fresh new user interface based on the new Liquid Glass design – widgets, buttons, and quick settings are partially transparent, and many animations and apps have been fundamentally redesigned. The Control Center now has an API so that third-party apps can now add quick settings.
A new gesture allows you to mute calls or alarms or delete notifications by turning your wrist away, but this only works on the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and newer models. Also exclusive to these models are hypertension detection and Sleep Score, which are not yet available to all users but are expected to be rolled out to all compatible models before the end of September.
Apple's Workout Buddy is designed to verbally encourage users during a workout as long as headphones are worn. The Workout app gets a new design and integrated Apple Music playlists. The Smart Stack is set to become more intelligent and now allows you to create your own widgets that act as shortcuts to open various apps. Lastly, Apple has finally added the Notes app to the Apple Watch and allows the syncing of Notes with the iPhone.
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