A claimed device compatibility list for watchOS 26 indicates that the upcoming update will support the same models as the current Apple Watch software.
MacRumors, which saw the watchOS 26 compatibility list via “a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates,” says watchOS 26 will support the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, like its predecessor.
So, in other words, if your Apple Watch runs the current watchOS 11 software, it should be able to update to watchOS 26 when it’s released to the public this fall.
watchOS 26 system requirements: A rumored device compatibility list
If the leaker is correct, watchOS 26 will be compatible with all Apple Watch models from the Apple Watch Series 6 (2020) onward:
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
These requirements are the same as the watchOS 11 system requirements. The last time Apple trimmed the device compatibility list for watchOS updates was 2023, when the watchOS 10 update dropped support for the Apple Watch Series 4 (2018), Apple Watch Series 5 (2019) and the first-generation Apple Watch SE (2020).
watchOS 26 will be the new name for the Apple Watch operating system, as Apple is rumored to adopt year-based naming for its operating systems to make comparing and writing about different OS versions easier.
watchOS 26 will also bring a revamped user interface with possible new watch faces, a customizable Control Center with third-party widgets, and some Apple Intelligence features via the paired iPhone, including AI-powered notification summaries, an AI-infused Siri and Genmoji creation.
