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Engadget
2 days ago
- Engadget
watchOS 26 preview: It's the little things
At WWDC 2025, Apple announced it was replacing the sequential numbering for OS versions and with year numbers. So instead of watchOS 12, I've spent the past two weeks with the public beta of watchOS 26. The naming scheme shift is subtle, but helpful — which is how I'd describe the upgrades the new software brings to the Apple Watch. The AI-powered Workout Buddy better contextualizes your Fitness data and an added gesture gives the watch a fun trick that's actually helpful. Other upgrades — including better smart replies and the Liquid Glass treatment — all combine to make the watch work and look a bit better than it did before. It's not a game-changing shift, like other OS 26 releases, but it manages to make a great watch a touch better. Luminous Liquid Glass Every Apple operating system got the Liquid Glass treatment this year, including watchOS 26. The change is less noticeable on the Apple Watch than on the iPhone or iPad, though. You'll notice the semi-transparent buttons and flowy movement when entering your password and opening the control center — the icons look like they're surrounded in little drops of water, which is quite pretty. You'll see it on the Photos watch face, too, especially if you select the 'glass' color for the time readout. The Liquid Glass treatment for the Photos watch face. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) The Smart Stack now has a liminal glow and the app icons are likewise a touch more luminous than before. The effect is subtle and nicely unifies the look of the watch and its companion iPhone. Like all design upgrades, Liquid Glass made me feel like I was using a new watch — though, like everything, the novelty wore off after a week or two. Revamped Workout app combines AI stats with a DJ In addition to the Buddy, the Workout app has a new look with icons in each of the four corners of the screen that give you easier access to adjust your data view, play music, set goals and tweak Buddy settings. My favorite new feature is in the music menu and it's limited to Apple Music for now. If you tap the music icon, you have the option to auto-play music. From there, you can also select 'Picked for you' or 'Choose media.' The former will select music that matches the type of workout you're doing and what you like to listen to. As someone who gets derailed from pretty much all my tasks when I have to interact with my phone, I appreciate anything that can make decisions for me and prevent me from reaching for it. I was presented with peppy beats that matched the cadence of my run, from bands and artists that were familiar as well as new-to-me selections that fit my tastes. Unfortunately, it didn't always work correctly. Sometimes I'd get no music, other times the music would play but the Workout Buddy would fall silent. I realize I'm testing a public beta of watchOS 26, so I'm holding out hope the feature will work at launch. Because when it worked, it was glorious. The new Workout app layout. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) The new Workout Buddy is probably the biggest AI play in watchOS 26. It uses historical and real-time data collected by your watch to give you a window into how you're performing at the beginning, end and throughout a workout. It works for walking, running, cycling and other workouts but requires headphones and a nearby Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone. That gave me pause. I hate carrying stuff and/or sticking things in my ears when I run. But after acquiring some open earbuds and digging out my old Spibelt, I made it work. There are three voices to choose from as of this writing, a bright feminine option, a British male-sounding one and another female-presenting version with a lower register. These were built on vocal data from Fitness+ trainers and have an authentic sound to them. At the start of a workout, you'll get a brief pep talk along with some recent milestones. My pre-game walking and running talks included references to the day of the week, my location and accumulated fitness data. For example, 'Way to get out there on a Wednesday morning walk in Albuquerque. So far this week, you've done three walking workouts. Let's get in some steps!' Depending on the type of exercise, you can set target ranges for cadence, heart rate, speed, distance, power (cycling), time and others. During a workout, the AI will let you know if you're at, below or above those levels. The first time I tried Workout Buddy, my run was quite lonely. I didn't realize I had to turn on the Buddy, as well as the various goal metrics within the Workout app. I did that and, on my next run, the AI delivered cadence and heart rate updates, and let me know when I hit milestones like distance and duration. At the end of a workout, you'll see a thinking animation as the AI assembles a summary. It'll recap data like your pace, distance, average and peak heart rate, as well as progress on your Activity rings. It'll also point out comparisons or cumulative milestones you may have hit. For example, after a longer walk, it told me that I'd just burned the most calories on a walk so far. Another day, it told me I'd walked ten miles so far this week. It closes the update by encouraging you to take the energy into the rest of your day or something similarly positive but measured. That's a big improvement over the first few times I used the feature. My first few pep talks were cloying, telling me something along the lines of 'It's not easy to get out there early in the morning!' and 'Your effort is inspiring!" After I stopped a run early to fuss with settings, it told me I did a 'Great job!' on a three-minute run. Thankfully, Apple appears to be tweaking the Buddy behind the scenes, calibrating the AI's 'personality.' Recent pep talks have become noticeably less sycophantic and therefore more enjoyable. I imagine the Buddy will only continue to evolve even more from here. The Workout Buddy is not a coach The Workout Buddy is a motivational experience that provides personalized insights you can use to gauge your performance. But I just finished trying out Samsung's AI running coach on the Galaxy Watch and couldn't help comparing the two. That coach pushed me to run five kilometers for the first time in my life. The Buddy made me feel like I'd accomplished something special just by taking my dog on a stroll. Both have their place, but I'd say Apple's version is probably best for those who already know what their goals are and what they need to do to hit them. Samsung's version may be better for beginners who want some help shaping their fitness journey. In addition to the Buddy, the Workout app has a new look with icons in each of the four corners of the screen that give you easier access to adjust your data view, play music, set goals and tweak Buddy settings. My favorite new feature is in the music menu and it's limited to Apple Music for now. If you tap the music icon, you have the option to auto-play music. From there, you can also select 'Picked for you' or 'Choose media.' The former will select music that matches the type of workout you're doing and what you like to listen to. As someone who gets derailed from pretty much all my tasks when I have to interact with my phone, I appreciate anything that can make decisions for me and prevent me from reaching for it. I was presented with peppy beats that matched the cadence of my run, from bands and artists that were familiar as well as new-to-me selections that fit my tastes. Unfortunately, it didn't always work correctly. Sometimes I'd get no music, other times the music would play but the Workout Buddy would fall silent. I realize I'm testing a public beta of watchOS 26, so I'm holding out hope the feature will work at launch. Because when it worked, it was glorious. More hands-free fun with wrist flick I love the double tap gesture Apple introduced with the Apple Watch Series 9 — it's a pleasure to stop timers, start auto-detected workouts and answer calls without getting my other hand involved. But it took some practice before I could reliably get the watch to recognize the gesture. (The trick is raising your wrist in an exaggerated checking-the-time motion then quickly, but not too quickly, tapping your thumb and finger together twice.) Luckily, the new Wrist Flick motion introduced in watchOS 26 takes practically no effort to get right. It involves quickly turning the back of your wrist away from you and back up again. Doing that can silence a call, stop a ringing timer, dismiss notifications and return you to the watch face from any app you open. It also makes those irritating helpful 'Time to stand!' reminders go away. The wrist flick doesn't clear alerts, just dismisses them — so the red indicator dot disappears, but the notification remains and you can see it if you swipe down. Just note that it's only available to Apple Watch Series 9, 10 and the Ultra 2. A demonstration of clearing notifications with the wrist flick gesture (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) Wrist flick is a great feature — though it's important to note that Android wearables since WearOS 2 had a similar feature for a while now. And I'd like to see Apple adopt more hands-free interactions like this. Apple already has many gesture-based controls as part of its existing AssistiveTouch feature. Actions like fist clenches, wrist tilts and single or double taps can control most of the navigation on the watch. Unfortunately, turning on AssistiveTouch turns off the universal double tap feature. I'd be interested in seeing something that splits the difference. Perhaps four or five gestures for basic functions that can be used in conjunction with screen input. Smarter replies could make Messages a usable watch app The Apple Watch is great for reading texts, but replying is awkward. That tiny keyboard is an interface for ants — even talk-to-text input is inefficient as it's tough to correct mistakes. Smart Replies are little canned responses that appear as suggestions below the reply field. Those aren't new, but now Series 9 watches and later will use an improved on-device language model to come up with relevant bits of text you can send with a tap. In addition to the choices that are always offered — Okay, Yes, No, Thank you and Can I call you later? — I saw things like 'Ok, let me know' and 'That's so sweet!' both of which applied to their respective conversations. I wasn't always given Smart Reply suggestions, and some of them weren't very relevant, but again, it's a great feature that will save time when it works. Another Messages update is a carryover from iOS 26 (and borrowed from countless other messaging apps). You can now set custom backgrounds for each of your (Apple-only) contacts. Just note that whatever you set will be seen by all participants in the conversation, once they update to iOS 26. On your watch, the photo, gradient or pattern you pick carries over to your conversations. Not only does it look nice, I find backgrounds help me to not accidentally text my mom something I meant to send to my sister. Backgrounds are now available in Messages. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) Notes have arrived The Notes app is now on Apple Watch. I honestly hadn't noticed the lack before this — I know there are plenty of Notes enthusiasts out there, but in my world, Alexa handles all reminder and shopping list duties. Still, I can see how the new integration could come in handy. After creating a simple shopping checklist in the iOS Notes app, I opened the list on my watch while I was shopping and found it far easier to check things off on my wrist than dragging out my phone every time I stuck something in my cart. I'm curious to see whether Apple's improved prediction algorithms for the new OS will eventually add Notes to my Smart Stack suggestions after I open the Notes app a few times at the grocery store. As it stands now, the Notes widget will pop up first in the Smart Stack if that's the last app you used. The rest of the new stuff Face Gallery The iPhone Watch app has a new look and now organizes watch faces by category instead of by name. Groupings include New, Clean, Data-rich, Photos and Health and Fitness, among others. It's certainly an improvement, but one that makes you wonder why it wasn't always like this. The Watch Face gallery is categorized now. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) Adaptive sound Another nice-but-obvious update adjusts the volume of pings and beeps to fit the environment — quieter in a noiseless office and louder at a raucous BBQ. I set a timer to go off when I was quietly working at my desk and then again with loud music playing and I couldn't really tell the difference. But that's a hard metric for the humble human ear to judge. Again, this is a feature reserved for Series 9 models and later. Smart Stack The Smart Stack will now add a small prompt to your watch face when it detects certain situations. For example, if you open the camera app on your phone, a small camera icon appears at the bottom of your watch screen, as a suggestion to open the remote shutter. Apple gives other examples, such as showing the workout icon when you arrive at your usual pilates studio or the Backtrack navigation feature when you journey away from cellular connectivity. I didn't see the prompt very often, but I did notice that the Smart Stack rearranged itself according to my habits — such as putting the medication widget at the top of the stack right around the time it was time to take my prescription, or shuffling Shazam to the top when it hears music playing. Siri is still Siri Coming fresh off of reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, I can't help but notice a stark difference between that wearable's fully integrated, AI-powered Gemini and Apple's same-old Siri. Gemini on the Samsung watch helped me find new stuff in my city, performed convoluted tasks and answered some pretty esoteric questions. I use Siri on my watch to reliably set timers, text people and add events to my calendar. But it's not quite on the level of Gemini's contextually-aware, generative capabilities that can interact with multiple apps. Asking something like 'Where should I have lunch?' gave me a list of businesses with lunch in the name followed by Siri asking me: 'Which one?' Not sure what that meant. Gemini, on the other hand, gave me local and relevant ideas for places I'd actually want to eat. Even before AI swallowed everyone's mind, I had a soft spot for digital assistants. When Alexa sings the 'You're very, very, oh so very welcome' song, I get a dopey smile on my face. I've tried to love Siri, but I get frustrated by being misunderstood, misdirected, misheard and flat-out ignored. I know Apple doesn't like to release new tech until it's fully up to snuff, and I'm looking forward to seeing what finally happens with new Siri. But for now, the disparity shows. Wrap-up The changes watchOS 26 brings to the Apple Watch are perhaps not as grand as those for other Apple devices. Liquid Glass here isn't as all-encompassing as it is on the iPhone. The new watch features don't make the wearable finally realize its full potential like iPad OS 26 does for the tablet. And there isn't one major feature upgrade that transforms the watch experience, like macOS 26 does with Spotlight on Macs. But the updates do push the experience of using the watch forward. Liquid Glass is pretty and nicely ties the wearable with its companion devices. The Workout app, which was already good at tracking fitness metrics, is even better with the Workout Buddy, providing stat summaries and automated playlists. Improved smart replies for Messages and the addition of the Notes app fix two of the watch's previous shortcomings. And the wrist flick adds another option for hands-free interaction and — I hope — is a precursor to more such utility. I'm still holding out hope for an improved, personable and helpful Siri once Apple is ready, but for now, these are all welcome upgrades for what's already the industry's best overall smartwatch.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Tom's Guide
How to enable Automatic Volume Adjustments on the Apple Watch — and stop annoying those around you
I've been experimenting with the public release of the watchOS 26 beta for a few weeks, and even though the full release is still a few months away, I'm finding a lot to like about the forthcoming Apple Watch software. For example, your Apple Watch finally has the Notes app. It also has an intriguing new AI-powered "fitness coach" called Workout Buddy. However, my favorite new capability is the "Wrist Flick" gesture, which can be used to dismiss notifications, incoming calls, and the like. One of the more subtle improvements I've uncovered in watchOS 26 beta is Automatic Volume Adjustments. This nifty feature monitors the ambient audio levels of your surroundings and adjusts the output volume of your Apple Watch accordingly. The result is less jarring notifications, especially when you're in a quiet setting. It also means you're potentially less likely to bother those around you. Similarly, if you're on a phone call and a train zooms past you, the Apple Watch should, in theory, increase the volume until things quiet down again (though I've yet to test this scenario). Want to try the Apple Watch's new Automatic Volume Adjustment feature for yourself? I'll show you how in five steps. To unlock the new Automatic Volume Adjustment feature, you'll first need to download and install iOS 26 beta on your iPhone. Once complete, you can then download and install watchOS 26 beta on your Apple Watch. The latest iOS beta can be installed on iPhone 11 models and newer (I successfully installed it on an iPhone 12 Mini). The new Apple Watch beta software works on Apple Watch Series 6 models and newer, including the second-gen Apple Watch SE (2022) and both models in the Apple Watch Ultra series. Note: The iOS 26 public beta and watchOS 26 public beta each took roughly 45 minutes to download and install, respectively, though your mileage may vary. Once you successfully have watchOS 126 beta up and running, it's time to make sure that the new Automatic Volume Adjustment setting is enabled. To do this, head to your Apple Watch's 'Settings' menu and scroll down until you see 'Sound & Haptics.' Tap on it. Once in Sound & Haptics, scroll down until you find the option that says 'Automatically Adjust Volume.' If the toggle (pill-looking icon) to the right of the setting is grey, as is the case in the image above, the feature is turned off. Tap on the toggle next to Automatic Volume Adjustments to turn it green/turn it on. Note, once enabled, you will no longer be able to manually adjust the volume. And with that, Automatic Volume Adjustments is now enabled on your Apple Watch. Feel free to exit the Settings menu and continue exploring watchOS 26 beta. With the Automatic Volume Adjustment feature in watchOS 26 beta enabled, your Apple Watch should now deliver audible notifications in a more courteous manner. Similarly, when things get noisy, it should automatically crank up the volume to compensate. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Want to know more about the latest Apple Watch features of 2025? Here are my five favorite watchOS 26 upgrades so far, and here's how to use the new AI-powered Workout Buddy feature mentioned in the intro.
Tom's Guide
02-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ran 15 miles with the Apple Watch's new Workout Buddy — here's my verdict
When Apple announced its Workout Buddy feature, an AI-powered assistant to get you through your workouts, I released an audible groan, knowing I'd have to write this article. On paper, it's the kind of thing I hate — an overly-enthusiastic robotic voice, regurgitating stats I've already seen on my running watch. I'm the kind of person who loves to run alone — it's my time to escape, to decompress, and to get my mind in order. I've completed five marathons, and trained for all of them on my own. I fully expected to hate Workout Buddy, but I diligently downloaded the watchOS 26 Beta onto my Apple Watch Series 10 (here's how to upgrade your Apple Watch to watchOS 26 Beta), and ran for 15 miles. The results surprised me. To put my new Workout Buddy through its paces, I set out on several different runs over two days — an easy 7-mile run one day, followed by a 6-mile tempo session and a 2-mile recovery the next. The tempo session was built on my Apple Watch as a Custom Workout. Each run, excluding the tempo session, started with the Workout Buddy's 'pep talk,' which went over how many miles I'd run this week or my current streak of closing my rings, along with phrases like 'Great job starting your run!' and 'You're crushing it!' Then, each mile, Workout Buddy would tell me my average pace for the mile, my heart rate, and what I was listening to. At the end of the run, it gave me a summary of my workout, again, excluding the tempo run. During the custom workout, Workout Buddy didn't seem to work — instead, I had the normal reminders to change pace during the work and recovery phases of the workout. Perhaps it's something I hadn't toggled on in Settings, or perhaps that was Workout Buddy, but all of the 'good job' messaging was gone. Apple isn't the first brand to add AI to its fitness trackers — we've seen it from Whoop, Garmin, Oura, Strava, and Samsung. Yet like pretty much every other brand on the market, Apple's AI isn't foolproof. On one run, Workout Buddy told me how many minutes I'd run that year — sure, running something like 4,000 minutes is an achievement, but it's not a milestone I've ever tracked before. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another thing to note is that you have to have your iPhone with you to use Workout Buddy, and not all iPhones are compatible. Your iPhone has to have Apple Intelligence in able to use Workout Buddy, so you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro/ iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16. While I didn't hate Workout Buddy as much as I was anticipating, like all of these AI fitness features, in order to be truly useful, it needs to do more. Apple has erred on the side of caution with an overly positive tone, but what I want is my Workout Buddy to tell me that the last rep was slower, so I needed to dig in to finish the workout strong. Of course, Apple probably wouldn't ever do this, as they wouldn't want to risk people getting injured, but even if the messaging was 'that last mile was slower, but this weeks training load is up 60%', or 'you're slowing down but you're going up-hill. Your grade-adjusted pace is as follows…' it would be more useful than regurgitating what's on my wrist already. It's worth noting, this is a Beta version of watchOS 26, and often Apple will hold things back to coincide with the potential release of new watches this fall. What I'd hope to see is AI that gets smarter the more you run with it. If your Workout Buddy could remember your last run on a certain route, and tell you when hills were coming up, or how your current performance compared, that might be more helpful. What's more, if Apple, like most of the best Garmin watches have done for years, could consider your current week's training load, and how well you've slept the night before, and suggest workouts for you, that could take a lot of the guesswork out of training, and enhance the tool. Plus, prevent you from overtraining and picking up an injury that might keep you from the start line. Apple has always fallen behind its competitors in its lack of coaching, recovery, and training features, but Workout Buddy seems to be a hint of what's to come — Apple using the expertise of its Fitness+ Coaches and blending this into the Workout app. I don't for a second believe Workout Buddy can replace the expertise of real-life coaches, but I've always performed best when I've had someone pushing me to work harder, not congratulating me on getting out the door. It's the reason some of Peloton's instructors have become household names — they don't just hold your hand, they push you to get fitter. Perhaps Apple could follow Oura's lead and give users different AI personalities to subscribe to, so you can pick a coach that's right for you. I just hope when Workout Buddy rolls out this fall, its personality is a little punchier, because it has the potential to be a useful tool for runners. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Geeky Gadgets
01-08-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Apple watchOS 26 Put to the Test: Is Workout Buddy a Game Changer?
Apple's WatchOS 26, currently available in public beta, introduces a range of updates designed to enhance both fitness tracking and productivity. Among its most notable additions is the AI-powered Workout Buddy, which aims to provide real-time feedback and motivational support during workouts. Complementing this feature are a redesigned workout interface, a visually refined liquid glass UI, and incremental improvements across the system. While these updates showcase Apple's commitment to innovation, they also reveal areas where the platform could benefit from further refinement. The video below from DC Rainmaker gives us a detailed look at the new Fitness features in Apple's watchOS 26. Watch this video on YouTube. Workout Buddy: Personalized AI for Fitness Enthusiasts The AI-powered Workout Buddy stands out as the flagship feature of WatchOS 26. Using artificial intelligence, this tool analyzes your performance metrics to deliver tailored feedback and motivational prompts. Whether you're aiming to improve your endurance, strength, or overall fitness, Workout Buddy adapts to your goals, offering a personalized coaching experience. Users can even customize the voice feedback to suit their preferences, adding a layer of personalization to their workouts. However, the feature comes with certain limitations. Workout Buddy requires constant internet connectivity, an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and headphones to function optimally. Its reliance on cloud-based AI processing introduces potential issues, such as occasional inaccuracies in activity tracking or fabricated metrics, often referred to as 'AI hallucinations.' These inaccuracies can be particularly frustrating for users who rely on precise data for structured training. Additionally, the dependency on connectivity makes the feature less practical for outdoor enthusiasts or those in areas with limited internet access. Revamped Workout Interface: Streamlined but Imperfect The workout interface in WatchOS 26 has been redesigned to improve usability and simplify navigation. Settings are now categorized into four distinct sections: Data metrics and views Structured workouts and goals Dynamic music playlists Voice alerts, including Workout Buddy feedback This reorganization aims to reduce setup time, allowing users to focus on their exercise routines. The new layout is particularly beneficial for those who frequently adjust their workout parameters, as it consolidates key settings into an intuitive structure. Despite these improvements, the interface is not without its flaws. Navigating through options can feel cumbersome, especially during high-intensity workouts when quick adjustments are necessary. The lack of a more responsive or gesture-based control system limits the practicality of these changes. While the redesign represents progress, it may require additional refinements to fully meet the diverse needs of Apple Watch users. Liquid Glass UI: Subtle Visual Enhancements The liquid glass UI introduces subtle aesthetic changes to WatchOS 26, most notably on the pin unlock screen. This design update enhances the visual appeal of the Apple Watch, offering a sleek and modern look. However, the impact of this feature is limited by the small screen size and processing constraints of the device. For most users, the liquid glass UI will likely go unnoticed during daily use, serving more as a minor cosmetic upgrade than a functional improvement. Expanded Productivity Features and System Updates In addition to fitness-focused updates, WatchOS 26 brings new productivity tools to the Apple Watch. The inclusion of the Notes app allows users to create and sync notes directly from their wrist. This feature is particularly useful for jotting down quick reminders or ideas on the go. However, the app's lack of editing capabilities restricts its utility for more complex tasks, such as organizing detailed lists or revising existing notes. Other system updates include minor tweaks to notifications and settings, aimed at improving overall convenience. For example, notifications are now more context-aware, providing smarter suggestions based on your activity. While these changes enhance the user experience, they are incremental rather than fantastic, offering small but meaningful improvements to daily interactions with the device. Challenges and Opportunities for Future Development While WatchOS 26 introduces several promising features, it also highlights key challenges that Apple must address in future updates. The reliance on constant connectivity for features like Workout Buddy limits their usability in offline or remote environments. This is a significant drawback for users who frequently engage in outdoor activities or live in areas with inconsistent internet access. Additionally, the occasional inaccuracies in AI-generated metrics underscore the need for more robust processing capabilities. One potential solution lies in the development of on-device AI processing. By allowing the Apple Watch to handle AI computations locally, Apple could reduce latency, improve accuracy, and enhance the overall reliability of features like Workout Buddy. This advancement would not only address current limitations but also pave the way for more sophisticated applications of AI in wearable technology. WatchOS 26: Progress with Room for Growth WatchOS 26 represents a meaningful step forward for the Apple Watch, particularly with the introduction of the AI-powered Workout Buddy and a revamped workout interface. These updates demonstrate Apple's commitment to enhancing the fitness and productivity capabilities of its wearable devices. However, the reliance on connectivity, occasional inaccuracies, and limited offline functionality highlight areas where further development is needed. As Apple continues to refine its wearable technology, future iterations of WatchOS could unlock the full potential of these features, offering a more seamless and reliable user experience. Unlock more potential in AI-powered Workout Buddy by reading previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: DC Rainmaker Filed Under: Apple, Gadgets News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Tom's Guide
01-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
Dismissing Apple Watch notifications just got a whole lot easier — how to use the wrist flick gesture in watchOS 26
The new Apple Watch wrist flick gesture is one of the more subtle updates introduced with the latest watchOS 26 public beta release. Yet, even as features like the AI-powered Workout Buddy and refreshed Liquid Glass aesthetic garner the most public interest, I'm quickly finding Apple's latest gesture control to be my favorite part of watchOS 26. The concept behind wrist flick is simple. Rather than having to swipe away incoming notifications on your Apple Watch when they pop up on the screen, the new gesture lets you dismiss them hands-free with, as the name suggests, a quick flick of the wrist. Want to try Apple's new wrist flick gesture yourself? I'll walk you through the relatively straightforward setup process (four steps) and give you a quick overview of the ins and outs of flicking your Apple Watch-worn wrist like a pro. First, to use Apple's new wrist flick gesture, you'll need to ensure that you have a compatible Apple Watch model. The watchOS 26 public beta is for Apple Watch Series 6 devices and newer, including the newest Apple Watch SE (2022) and both Apple Watch Ultra models. However, only the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Series 9 are wrist flick compatible. You'll also need an iPhone 11 or newer to download and install the newest iOS software (more on that in the next step). Once you've verified that your devices are eligible for the latest software, it's time to download and install the iOS 26 public beta on your iPhone. You'll need to do this before you can install the latest Apple Watch software. With iOS 26 beta up and running on your iPhone, it's now time to download and install watchOS 26 beta on your Apple Watch 9, 10 or Ultra 2. The whole process takes about 45 minutes and is pretty simple, but if you need some help, here's a step-by-step guide to the watchOS 26 beta installation process. Once you've got watchOS 26 beta loaded up, it's nearly time to start wrist-flicking, but first, let's make sure the gesture is switched on. To do this, head to the app screen and open Settings. From there, scroll down until you see Gestures; tap on it. Once in Gestures, scroll down past Double Tap until you see Wrist Flick. Ensure the slider to the right is in the on position (showing green). You're now ready to use the new wrist flick gesture! With the feature turned on, exit the settings menu and wait for a notification to come in. When one does, glance down to read the incoming alert as you normally would, but don't touch the screen or watch buttons. When you're done reading the notification, turn your watch-worn wrist away from your body and then back toward you in quick succession. This should dismiss the notification and return the screen to the main watch face view. In addition to app notifications, the wrist flick gesture can also be used to manage incoming phone calls, alarms, timers and even the Smart Stack. Simple to master, I can assure that after a few days of flicking away notifications on your Apple Watch, you'll wonder how you ever got by without this nifty new feature. Want to learn about more cool things you can do with your Apple Watch thanks to the latest software release? Here are my five favorite watchOS 26 upgrades so far. The list includes Apple's new personalized, AI-powered Workout Buddy, the refreshed Liquid Glass aesthetic, live message translations and more. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
