The next version of Apple's wearable OS is watchOS 26, and it's expected to officially release for everyone soon after the launch of the Watch Series 11 and Watch Ultra 3. Like iOS 26, watchOS 26 is also getting the Liquid Glass design overhaul alongside some new features. So, if you're wondering whether your device will get the update, here's a complete list of watchOS 26 supported Apple Watch models.
watchOS 26 supported devices
watchOS 26 is compatible with all Apple Watch models that currently run watchOS 11. Apple's preview page confirms the following models will support watchOS 26 as long as they're paired to an iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2, or newer models running iOS 26:
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 6
The Watch Series 6 which launched in 2020 is the oldest device to support watchOS 26 and this might be the last major update coming to this Apple Watch model. Both the Series 8 and Watch SE 2 will get two more years of watchOS updates as they were launched in 2022, while the Watch Series 7 may get next year's watchOS 27 as its last big update.
watchOS 26 confirmed features
With several developer and public betas already tested, there are a lot of things to look forward to when updating to watchOS 26. Here are some of the key features confirmed to come with the next watchOS update:
- Liquid Glass redesign applies transparent glass-like effects all across the UI, system and apps. Both Smart Stack and Control Centre now get translucent backgrounds while photo-rich watch faces feature a glassy clock.
- Workout Buddy offers words of wisdom to encourage you to work out based on your fitness history.
- Live Translation in Messages app uses Apple Intelligence to translate texts to your desired language.
- Chat Backgrounds in Messages lets you customise your conversations using different filters, colours, photos, and styles.
- Call screening offers you the means to avoid calls from unknown numbers by answering them and asking for the purpose of the call, without interrupting you.
- Wrist flick on watchOS 26 provides a way to silence calls, timers and alerts with a flick of the wrist.
- Automatic volume adjustment detects ambient noise in your surroundings to increase or decrease the volume for Siri, calls and notifications.
- Notes app is now available directly on watchOS letting you view existing notes or create new ones using Siri.
- The Photos watch face gets the ability to shuffle through features pictures every time you raise or wrist or turn on the display.
- Other notable watchOS 26 features include Customisable widgets in Smart Stack, Hold assist, Watch face gallery and new options inside the Workout app.
Apple has scheduled the "Awe dropping" event on September 9, 2025 to announce the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air models. The event will also see the launch of the Watch Ultra 3, Watch Series 11 and Watch SE 3, all of which will run watchOS 26 out-of-the-box.
The last of the developer and public beta builds are already out for iOS, macOS, watchOS and other platforms. So, we can expect beta testers to get the watchOS 26 Release Candidate on September 9, 2025, followed by a stable update that may release for everyone, a week later, on September 16, 2025.
