In watchOS 26, the Apple Watch Workout app has received its biggest interface overhaul since it launched, introducing a redesigned layout that promises easier access to key features.
Four new corner buttons now provide quick access to popular workout customization tools including Workout Views, Custom Workout, Pacer, and Race Route. Apple has also integrated music and podcast setup directly into the Workout app itself. Users can now configure audio to automatically begin playing when they start exercising, eliminating the need to switch between apps mid-workout.
The update includes intelligent playlist selection through Apple Music integration (with a subscription). It can now automatically choose playlists based on both workout type and individual listening preferences, though users retain the option to manually select from suggestions.
For podcast listeners, the app will surface recommendations based on previous listening habits during specific workout types. A runner who typically listens to true crime podcasts during jogs, for instance, might see those suggestions prominently featured.
The corner button approach is a departure from the previous scrolling interface, and should hopefully make one-handed operation easier during exercise. watchOS 26 is currently available in developer beta, with a public beta expected to arrive next month.
Thursday September 10, 2026 11:57 am PDT by Juli Clover
Some Apple Watch users who upgrade to the Series 12 or the Ultra 4 might temporarily lose access to hypertension notifications.
On the watchOS feature availability page, Apple says notifications might not be available on the Series 12 or Ultra 4 at launch because regulatory clearances are in process.
Hypertension Notifications may not be available on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 in your ...
Monday September 14, 2026 10:03 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released watchOS 27, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 27 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and the Apple Watch SE 3.
watchOS 27 can be downloaded for free on a compatible device through the Settings app on the watch.
The update introduces support for Siri AI, a more capable...
Wednesday September 9, 2026 12:06 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 to developers and public beta testers. The release candidates are the final versions of the updates that will be seeded to the public as long as no final bugs are found during this last round of testing.
The updates can be installed through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each...
They removed the "water" drop button in the control center. Now I can't activate it when I'm biking with gloves without the shortcut apps. Super annoying.
How about a fix for knowing when I started a walk or run? For example, I often forget to manually start an outdoor walk, when I say ‘Siri continue outdoor walk’ midway through it starts it at that moment, but not when I actually started - oddly sometimes it will prompt me ‘it appears you started an activity’ - so it does have some algorithm for sensing elevated heartbeat or pace… they need to finish refining their code.
Some good additions, but not where it counts. I wanted to come back to the AW for the ecosystem but the software still is years behind the Garmin with respect to useful reporting and tracking things like stress, body battery, and sleep. I guess given the sales of the AW, they don't really have to rush anything.
oddly sometimes it will prompt me ‘it appears you started an activity’ - so it does have some algorithm for sensing elevated heartbeat or pace… they need to finish refining their code.
yeahhh... i can't be the only one who gets the "are you doing an elliptical workout" notification when i'm doing the five knuckle shuffle. it would be nice to have the algo more attuned to the motions involved when battling the purple headed yogurt slinger, but being able to select an option that makes it clear that i do not use an elliptical machine would be nice. or better yet, a "men's health" exercise that defaults to not being posted to shared activity with friends and family, unless you want to enable it to let folks know how many times you've liquidated the inventory for some reason. if cycle tracking is important enough to include in apple's apps, so should prostate health and male wellness. ignoring it and / or taking a puritanical approach about spanking the monkey is why so many guys have prostate issues later in life.
