Apple’s watchOS 26, unveiled at WWDC 2025, introduces a wave of Apple Intelligence features designed to transform your Apple Watch into a more powerful personal assistant. Alongside a refreshed Liquid Glass design, the update introduces AI-driven tools, including a smart workout coach, real-time translations, and context-aware actions, making your wearable even more useful in daily life.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new smart features in watchOS 26.
Which Apple Watch Models Support Apple Intelligence?
Not all Apple Watches will support the full Apple Intelligence suite. These features rely on advanced hardware, so compatibility is limited to:
- Apple Watch Series 6 and later
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2
Important:
To use Apple Intelligence, your watch must be paired with one of the following iPhones running iOS 26:
- iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max
- Any iPhone 16 model
Older iPhones, even if compatible with iOS 26, won’t enable these advanced AI features.
All the New Apple Intelligence Features in watchOS 26
watchOS 26 is a major upgrade that makes your Apple Watch smarter and more intuitive. Here are all the Apple Intelligence features coming to it.
1. Workout Buddy: Your Personal AI Fitness Coach
One of the most impressive additions is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered fitness coach built into your Apple Watch. It uses data like heart rate, distance, and workout history to give you real-time encouragement and personalized feedback.
For example, it might notify you that you’re nearing a 500-mile milestone or encourage you as you close your Activity Rings. Voice feedback works via Bluetooth headphones, making it feel like a personal trainer is right there with you.
Supported Workouts: Outdoor/Indoor Run and Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, Functional and Traditional Strength Training.
2. Live Translation: Break Language Barriers
With watchOS 26, your Apple Watch becomes a language translator right on your wrist with the Live Translation feature in the Messages app.
It translates conversations into your preferred language in real-time, allowing you to easily communicate with people who speak different languages. Moreover, when you reply, your message is translated into the recipient’s language as well.
Languages at launch: English (US, UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (Simplified). More languages, such as Dutch, Danish, and Vietnamese, are expected to be added by the end of 2025.
3. Send Genmoji: Custom Emojis with Personality
You can now send Genmoji—custom AI-generated emojis created on your iPhone—directly from your Apple Watch. Once you create a Genmoji, it syncs to your Apple Watch via iCloud, appearing in the Messages app’s emoji picker. You can tap to send them, just like regular emojis.
Apple also upgraded Genmoji with iOS 26 by combining emojis, typing a description, or blending two emojis to make a unique one. Therefore, this feature lets you make conversations more expressive.
4. Smart Actions in Messages: Context-Aware Replies
The Messages app in watchOS 26 becomes much smarter, thanks to on-device machine learning. It suggests actions based on message context, like offering to share your location when someone texts, “Are you home yet?”
It even helps in group chats. For instance, if someone sends you a dinner bill, your watch might prompt you to pay them via Apple Cash with one tap.
5. Smart Stack Gets Smarter
Smart Stack now learns from your routine. If you usually start a Pilates workout on Tuesdays at the gym, it may proactively show the workout card when you arrive. Alternatively, if you’re in an area with no signal, consider launching the Backtrack feature.
This widget stack evolves with you, predicting what you need before you even ask.
6. Smart Call Management: AI Handles the Interruptions
watchOS 26 brings Hold Assist and Call Screening directly to your wrist, so you can manage calls hands-free.
- Hold Assist: If you’re on hold waiting for a live agent, Hold Assist recognizes when the agent is ready and notifies you to return to the call. This means you can put your watch down and focus on something else without missing the moment the agent picks up.
- Call Screening: For unknown callers, Call Screening automatically answers the call and asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling. Your watch then alerts you with the details, so you can decide whether to take the call or decline it.
7. Smarter Notifications: Sound That Adapts
Your Apple Watch now adjusts the notification sound based on your environment. In quiet rooms, it reduces volume to avoid startling you. In louder areas, it boosts alerts so you never miss a ping.
This smart adjustment is made possible by the Apple Watch’s onboard ambient noise detection.
watchOS 26 Availability Timeline
- Developer Beta: Available now
- Public Beta: July 2025
- Official Release: September 2025
Want to explore these AI features early? You can install the watchOS 26 developer beta, but be aware that early builds can be buggy and may affect device stability.
Apple Intelligence: Now on Your Wrist
watchOS 26 is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. It brings meaningful Apple Intelligence features that enhance your everyday life—from staying motivated to bridging language gaps and handling calls smarter than ever.
Which feature are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!
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