This fall, watchOS 26 will arrive as the next major Apple Watch software update. After more than a month using the beta on my Apple Watch, here are the new watchOS 26 features that I’ve been using the most.
#1: Wrist flick
When the Apple Watch Series 9 launched, it came with a new double tap gesture that I was originally excited about, but ended up barely using.
I was afraid watchOS 26’s wrist flick gesture would be a similar story. But so far, I’ve found wrist flick a much more reliable and natural addition.
Here’s how it works:
When a user raises their wrist to check a notification but isn’t ready to respond, they can quickly turn their wrist over and back to dismiss the notification. The wrist flick gesture can be used to dismiss notifications and incoming calls, silence timers and alarms, and return to the watch face.
Wrist flick is exclusive to three Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
But if you have the supported hardware, wrist flick is a great new way to interact with watchOS 26 one-handed.
#2: Workout Buddy
watchOS 26 includes a design overhaul for the Workout app, but there’s also a big AI addition: Workout Buddy.
... continue reading