watchOS 26 is finally here! Have you updated your watch yet? Not only does watchOS 26 introduce a new design that makes all updated Apple devices look more consistent, but it comes with exciting new features, including Workout Buddy, Wrist Flick, smarter Widget Stacks, Sleep Score, hypertension detector, and the option to change the duration of your alarm clock’s snooze!
1. How to Get watchOS 26
You can download watchOS 26 directly on your watch or using the Watch app on your iPhone. Just go to Settings, Software Update, and update to watchOS 26. Please keep in mind that it can take up to two hours, and your watch should be on its charger throughout the process. You won’t see the option to install watchOS 26 until you update your iPhone to iOS 26, so make sure to do that first.
2. My Favorite watchOS 26 Feature
Initially, I was the most excited about Workout Buddy, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would (I’ll tell you why a bit later). Instead, my favorite feature is the ability to change the alarm’s snooze time, which can be done on both iPhone and Apple Watch while setting up an alarm. My second favorite feature is Sleep Score, and it wasn’t announced until the September 9 Apple Event. Sleep Score looks at all your sleep data and gives you an overall score depending on how long you spent in bed, how much of that time you slept, and how many interruptions you experienced. While Apple Watch has always tracked sleep, I like seeing Sleep Score’s more comprehensive data and understanding how my sleep was overall.
3. My Least Favorite watchOS 26 Feature
Workout Buddy is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than a coach that uses your Health data to help you reach fitness goals, it gives you less helpful advice and will comment on how you are doing, saying things like, “our pace is (blank).” I find this distracting rather than helpful, but you should try it out to see if you like it. I can see it being helpful if you want to exercise without having to glance at your watch to figure out your distance, time, pace, heart rate, etc.
4. Most Useful watchOS 26 Feature
The new hypertension alert feature works by using an algorithm that analyzes how your blood vessels respond to the beating of your heart via the optical heart sensor. After a 30-day period of readings, your watch will take the gathered data and send you an alert if any signs of consistent hypertension are detected. Any high blood pressure readings will be saved in your Health app, allowing you to easily share them with your doctor. While it hasn’t been long enough for me to test it out, I am excited to see what my Health app says about my blood pressure in about a month.
Have you tried watchOS 26 yet? How do you feel about the new features and the design change? Email OntheWatch@iphonelife.com and let me know!
