Apple Says watchOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple Watch Models - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Says watchOS 26 is Compatible With These Apple Watch Models

Apple today announced watchOS 26, which introduces a new Liquid Glass design, a new Workout Buddy feature, and much more.

watchOS 26 Apple Newsroom
Apple says that watchOS 26 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 or later, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.

That means watchOS 26 supports the following Apple Watch models:

  • Apple Watch Series 6
  • Apple Watch Series 7
  • Apple Watch Series 8
  • Apple Watch Series 9
  • Apple Watch Series 10
  • Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
  • Apple Watch Ultra
  • Apple Watch Ultra 2

The first watchOS 26 developer beta is available starting today, and a public beta will follow next month. The update will be released later this year.

Related Roundups: watchOS 26, WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

10 months ago
Any new watchfaces?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago
so dumb that's all the new features coming to new watchOS. Zero innovation for years already.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

I would never buy an Apple Watch again the obsession with fitness which I have zero interest in. Where is the watch face store 🤷🏻‍♂️ 10 years to add different ringtones from the ones your iPhone 😂.
I only have an interest in fitness and workout tracking, hence why I'm working my way over to Garmin.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago
watchOS update is underwhelming
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago
Such boring updates for watchOS. And that fitness buddy or whatever chatting to you the whole time you’re exercising sounds like the most annoying experience I could imagine
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago

Does anyone know which models support the new wrist flick gesture?
Based on their press release ('https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/watchos-26-delivers-more-personalized-ways-to-stay-active-and-connected/'), there are just a few.

“Notifications are even easier to manage with a simple wrist flick gesture on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.”
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)