Apple has officially announced watchOS 26, as well as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26. But which Apple Watch models will work with the new software that is set to arrive later this year?
The headline features of the new watchOS 26 software include a refreshed interface that borrows elements from the Liquid Glass aesthetic seen across iPadOS 26 and iOS 26.
There’s also a new fitness experience called Workout Buddy, and improved management of notifications.
Which Apple Watch models support watchOS 26?
As for the compatible models? Well, it’s pretty much what you’d expect. See below for all the devices that’ll get the update when it arrives later this year.
- 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
However, the update will require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 and not all Apple Watch features are available across all models due to differing feature sets. Certain features that make use of Apple Intelligence require an iPhone 16 (all models), iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max to function. The ‘wrist flick’ gesture is only available on Series 9 (or later) and Ultra 1 and 2.
watchOS is currently available to download for registered developers as a beta; this is so they can ensure apps and any new APIs work well before the general release. The developer beta will be updated every few weeks, with bugs fixed along the way, and joined by a Public Beta that anyone can install sometime in July.
A full release will follow towards the end of the year, likely in September, around the same time as the next Apple Watch is announced. We’ll bring you more details on the launch as we progress throughout the next few months.
For more on the new software announced by Apple during WWDC, see our iPadOS 26 devices list, MacOS 26 devices list and why we think WWDC 25 was a success. We’ve also compared iOS 26 vs iOS 18 to really see what’s new.
