watchOS 26 adds several subtle yet meaningful improvements that make using Apple Watch even more convenient. Here are the top 17 new features and changes you should know about.
17 new features to check out in watchOS 26
watchOS
Masimo sues U.S. Customs and Border Protection in bid to block green light to enable blood oxygen monitoring on Apple Watches
When Apple released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 last week, bringing Blood Oxygen monitoring to previously excluded models following a U.S. Customs and Border Protection approval that allowed Apple to move forward with the “redesigned” experience on those devices, we had a gut feeling that patent troll Masimo wouldn’t let that go very far without a fight.
iOS 18.6.1 & watchOS 11.6.1 bring Blood Oxygen monitoring to previously excluded Apple Watch Series 9, 10 & Ultra 2 models
Apple announced on Thursday that it would release iOS 18.6.1 for iPhones and watchOS 11.6.1 for Apple Watches so that Blood Oxygen monitoring could make a comeback on certain models – specifically, the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.
Apple releases iOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6 and other updates
Be sure to download and install iOS 18.6 on your iPhone and other updates from Apple to get the latest bug fixes and security protections for all your devices.
watchOS 26 spots Apple Watch battery drain early—top up before it’s too late
Battery management in watchOS 26 has improved with a new Apple Watch notification that alerts you if battery drain is faster than normal.
watchOS 26 lets you use Control Center toggles from your iPhone
The watchOS 26 operating system permits your Apple Watch to use Control Center toggles from its paired iPhone for the first time.
Apple is updating parental controls with new child safety features, including permission to text new numbers
Apple has updated parental controls in iOS 26 and other operating systems with new child safety features, including permission to text new numbers.
Only select Apple Watch models can use watchOS 26’s new Wrist Flick gesture
When Apple announced watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on Monday, one of the takeaway features that stood out to me was that they were adding a new gesture to dismiss incoming notifications that doesn’t require the use of the touch screen.
How to get watchOS 26 beta or non-beta on Apple Watch
Find out how to download and install watchOS 26 on your Apple Watch to use the new watch faces and experience all the latest features.
Apple releases the first developer betas of iOS 26 and other operating systems
Following the conclusion of its WWDC25 keynote, Apple has released the first developer betas of iOS 26 and its other renamed operating systems.
Apple previews redesigned Liquid Glass user interfaces on iPhone, other devices
Apple has previewed the overhauled user interfaces across the iPhone and other devices, known as Liquid Glass, at the WWDC2025 today.
If your Apple Watch runs watchOS 11, it should be compatible with watchOS 26
A claimed device compatibility list for watchOS 26 indicates that the upcoming update will support the same models as the current Apple Watch software.