At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple unveiled a sweeping range of software updates and design changes, with iOS 26 taking the charge. watchOS 26 was also introduced, bringing a refreshed interface and smarter fitness features powered by Apple Intelligence to elevate the Apple Watch experience.

watchOS 26 introduced a suite of enhancements designed to elevate personal well-being, connectivity, and overall user experience. The operating system features a refreshed aesthetic, dubbed "Liquid Glass," which provides a modern and fluid interface.

“Apple Watch is an indispensable companion for millions of people around the world, and watchOS 26 uses intelligence to offer an even more personalized experience,” said David Clark, Apple’s senior director of watchOS Engineering.

Workout Buddy uses Apple Intelligence to boost motivation

Apple has launched Workout Buddy, a new feature powered by Apple Intelligence, designed to make workouts more personal and motivating. This innovative tool leverages users' fitness history and live workout data—such as heart rate, pace, distance covered, Activity ring progress, and past achievements—to deliver real-time, tailored encouragement.

By turning data into dynamic, meaningful feedback, Workout Buddy adds a personalised, human-like touch to fitness tracking—making workouts more engaging and rewarding.

watchOS 26 expands support for seconds hand in always-on mode

Apple is enhancing the Apple Watch experience with watchOS 26 by expanding support for ticking seconds indicators on more watch faces, using the upgraded display of the Apple Watch Series 10. This advanced screen allows certain faces to show a moving seconds hand even when the display is in always-on mode. Until now, only a limited selection of watch faces has utilised this capability.

When Series 10 launched, only Flux, Reflections, and Activity Digital could show updating seconds in always-on display mode. Apple then added support to the 2025 editions of the Pride and Unity watch faces, bringing the total to five.

With watchOS 26, although not every watch face supports the feature yet, Apple is introducing this function to many more existing options. The California and Utility faces are now among those that can display a ticking seconds hand in always-on mode. Both designs feature numerical markings around an analogue dial—unlike the initial five, which lacked this traditional clock appearance.

In the first beta of watchOS 26, the following faces now support analogue seconds in always-on mode: Activity Analog, Activity Digital, California, Color, Contour, Count Up, Flux, GMT, Infograph, Meridian, Metropolitan, Nike Analog, Numerals Mono, Pride Harmony, Reflections, Stripes, Solar Analog, Unity Rhythm, and Utility.

Some faces still lack always-on seconds support

There are still several that can show seconds but haven’t yet gained always-on support. These include Chronograph Pro, Kaleidoscope, Lunar, Mickey Mouse, Modular Compact, Palette, Pride Analog, Pride Celebration, Solar Dial, Snoopy, Unity Bloom, Unity Lights, and World Time.