The operating system on the next Apple Watch is watchOS 26 and it is coming with several updates, including Liquid Glass or a new design philosophy across all Apple operating systems.

The operating system for Apple Watch — showcased at WWDC 2025 — brings new features like Workout Buddy, an AI that will talk you through your next run to keep you motivated. The text-to-speech model is based on the voices of Apple Fitness+ trainers and draws on data from your Workout and Health history. To make Workout Buddy work, you will need an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby along with Bluetooth headphones connected to your watch. The pep talk may make a difference to one’s fitness exercise regime as many of us begin to slack once we reach midweek.

There is a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications. It will be helpful if you want to focus on a workout rather than going through unnecessary messages.

The new OS will also be able to track ambient noise levels and thereby adjust the volume of notifications and incoming calls.

The Workout app has been redesigned with new corner buttons that serve as shortcuts to customise your workout or control your music. There is also good integration with Apple Music, which can now recommend playlists based on the type of workout you’re doing.

For those with a Series 9 or later, and an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, watchOS can support instant, automatic translation in Messages, both for incoming texts and any replies.

Other updates include the arrival of the Notes app. Hold Assist and Call Screening will also work from your wrist and the watch can display live captions or offer remote controls when using Live Listen.

Apple Watch will support Live Translation in Messages with Apple Intelligence, allowing incoming texts to be automatically translated into a user’s preferred language, right on the wrist. And when the user responds, the text can be instantly translated for the person they’re having a conversation with. Live Translation will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone.

Further, for users whose device language is set to English, Apple Watch will intelligently suggest relevant actions in Messages using the context of a conversation, like starting a Check In when a friend asks a user to share when they arrive home.

More features at a glance

Hold Assist and Call Screening (when an iPhone is nearby): When a user is waiting for a live agent, Hold Assist recognises once a live agent is available and notifies the user to return to the call. Call Screening helps users manage incoming phone calls from unknown numbers more efficiently by collecting a name and reason for the call before their phone rings, so they can make an informed decision on whether to pick up, decline the call, or ask for more information.

Accessibility: For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, Live Listen controls come to Apple Watch with a new set of features, including real-time Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening to the audio.

Shuffle: The Photos face will now shuffle images based on Featured content from Photos, so users can see images of their most meaningful moments every time they raise their wrist or tap the display.