Apple just announced watchOS 26, the latest version of its Apple Watch operating system, at WWDC 25. As in previous years, developer access is likely to start soon with a public beta to follow. A full release is expected sometime this fall alongside the new Apple Watches.

It’s the follow-up to last year’s watchOS 11 release, but Apple has jumped its numbering up to match the upcoming year in a bid to standardize its operating system names. That means the watchOS numbering now matches iOS, macOS, and Apple’s other software platforms.

watchOS 11’s major additions last year included fitness features like Training Load and the ability to pause your Activity Rings for days off, along with the introduction of Live Activities and contextual widgets such as Translate when you’re traveling, or Shazam if you’re out and music is playing.

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