We’re nonetheless counting down the times till the 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention, and Apple’s large occasion is creeping nearer. We have not heard an excessive amount of about what we would see in watchOS 26, however there are a number of hints primarily based on rumors, data about different updates, and options that Apple usually provides to on a yearly foundation.
Naming
Fairly than naming the next-generation model watchOS 12, Apple goes to name it watchOS 26. The entire software program updates coming this 12 months can be numbered “26,” reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 launch cycle.
watchOS 26 will launch alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, all of that are being renamed.
Design Replace
The overhauled design that Apple is introducing for iOS 26 may even prolong to the Apple Watch, although the modifications to watchOS is probably not as dramatic because the iOS 26 refresh.
With iOS 26, Apple is introducing a design referred to internally as “Solarium.” Because the identify suggests, it focuses on a glass-like look that is really impressed by visionOS. Buttons, search interfaces, tab bars, and home windows might undertake a translucent design paying homage to frosted glass.
Floating menus, rounder buttons, and simplified navigation have been rumored, too. watchOS already makes use of spherical app icons and buttons, so it should match proper in. Apple might undertake the Solarium search for issues just like the app drawer, notifications, and Management Heart.
Apple’s intention is a extra constant design throughout all of its software program platforms.
New Watch Faces
If watchOS is getting a design replace to match iOS 26, Apple will doubtless add new watch faces which might be designed with the brand new fashion.
Apple Intelligence
The Apple Watch would not have the processing energy to run Apple Intelligence on-device, however it’s rumored to be getting some “powered by Apple Intelligence” options that would depend on its hyperlink to the iPhone.
There are rumors that Apple will add an AI-powered battery administration function to iPhones working iOS 26, and comparable performance would make quite a lot of sense for the Apple Watch. On the iPhone, the function will analyze system utilization and make optimizations to maximise battery life.
Proper now, options like ChatGPT Siri integration and Writing Instruments do not prolong to the Apple Watch, however these are choices that Apple might add. The Apple Watch additionally would not assist notification summaries or content material summaries usually.
AirPods Sleep Detection
The Apple Watch might combine with the AirPods to pause content material that is enjoying when the wearer falls asleep. It is a rumored function for iOS 26, however the AirPods don’t have any sleep detection performance, so the choice would wish to make use of Apple Watch information.
Well being App
Apple is growing an up to date model of the Well being app for launch in iOS 26, nevertheless it’s not clear if we’ll see it on the keynote occasion as a result of it isn’t going to be prepared immediately.
Apple needs so as to add AI-powered well being teaching options that may present customers with personalised well being suggestions, and any function like that may depend on Apple Watch information and options.
Teaching might embrace professional info on well being situations, health ideas, and methods to make optimistic way of life modifications.
Apple can be mentioned to be growing a meals monitoring function that will let customers log what they eat all through the day, and the Apple Watch could be a handy method so as to add meals to a day by day consumption listing.
Well being Options
Apple has been growing a blood strain monitoring function for the Apple Watch, and if it is able to go for the 2025 fashions, there may very well be a brand new blood strain app in watchOS 26. The function will alert customers if hypertension is detected, nevertheless it will not present particular systolic and diastolic readings.
It is not but clear if blood strain monitoring is able to launch resulting from developmental issues, so it is one thing that we would not see till the 2026 Apple Watch fashions.
Health
Apple sometimes provides new exercise sorts and options with new watchOS releases. One space that is missing is energy coaching, and Apple Watch customers have to obtain third-party apps for counting reps. That is one thing that the Apple Watch might get sooner or later. Apple has patented a way for rep monitoring that makes use of the iPhone’s digicam.
Security
In 2024, Apple submitted a patent for an Apple Watch function that will be capable of decide when the wearer is drowning, which might be a logical addition to crash detection and fall detection. There is not any phrase that Apple has plans to launch this function in watchOS 26, nevertheless it’s one thing that is within the works behind the scenes.
WWDC 2025 Occasion Data
Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote will start on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will reside stream the occasion on its web site, on YouTube, and within the TV app.
When you’re not capable of watch reside, we’ll have a reside weblog and protection of the bulletins right here at MacRumors, plus we’ll be reside tweeting the occasion on the MacRumorsLive account.
