watchOS 26 is the Apple Watch’s latest major software update, and I’ve been using it in beta for a few months now. Here are the new watchOS 26 features I’ve been loving most throughout that time.
Sleep score
This is admittedly a very recent introduction.
Sleep score wasn’t included in the watchOS 26 beta this summer, because Apple saved it for the unveiling of new Apple Watch hardware.
I’ve been sleep tracking with my Apple Watch for the past year or so, and the clear, simple sleep score has been a helpful way to make sense of the sleep data that previously felt far too ambiguous.
Always-on seconds for more watch faces
Last year when the Apple Watch Series 10 launched, watchOS offered very few watch faces that supported Series 10’s new capability of showing seconds in always-on mode.
Fortunately, watchOS 26 has corrected that oversight. Now, timed with Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 adding support for always-on seconds, Apple has updated many of its watch faces to at last support the feature.
Wrist flick gesture
There are plenty of scenarios when I don’t have a second hand free to interact with my Apple Watch. For example, when I’m carrying a cup of coffee, or my ever-growing toddler.
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