- Watchos 26 is expected to be announced Monday
- It has to run on each Watchos 11-compatible clock
- A larger visual overhaul is among the rumored changes
A new software update for the best Apple Watches is on the way, and we just got words about which models will be compatible with the new Watchos 26 (which is apparently the new name of Watchos 12).
According to a source “with a proven Track Record” in contact with macumors, each watch capable of running Watchos 11 is also able to run Watchos 26, so there will be no devices left this year.
This means that Apple Smartwatches as far back as the Apple Watch Series 6 (launched by 2020) and Apple Watch SE 2 (launched in 2022) will be eligible for the new update, as well as all watches launched since.
If you remember back to last year, after the message of Watchos 11, we heard from Apple that series 5, Series 4 and the original SE would not get the 2024 update. This time, all of the currently supported devices are included.
What’s on the way?
Apple hasn’t said anything official yet about Watchos 26 – not even that it’s on the way or that it gets a change – but we’ve heard lots of rumors about what the upcoming software update might bring with it.
As mentioned in the same Macrumors article, there is a prediction that Watchos 26 will offer support for third-party shortcuts at the Watch Control Center for the first time, which should mean an improved experience for users.
A new and improved visual interface is apparently also on the way, which would follow the lead of Visionos, with lots of transparency and frosted glaze effects. In fact, it is said that the same redesign comes to all Apple’s software platforms.
We also hope that we might get a smash of Apple Intelligence on the Apple Watch. All of these new features are scheduled to be announced on WWDC 2025 Monday before the Watchos 26 will be released in September with Apple Watch 11.
