watchOS 26 is here — and these Apple Watch models are eligible for an upgrade

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Here’s how to unlock new Apple Watch features for free

Close-up of an Apple Watch Series 10 on a user's wrist with a "Welcome to watchOS 26" message on display
(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

New Apple Watch software has arrived in the form of watchOS 26, bringing with it an updated design aesthetic called Liquid Glass, an AI-powered fitness coach called Workout Buddy, new gesture controls, live message translations, access to the Notes app (finally), and smarter notifications.

Updating to watchOS 26 is free for eligible Apple Watch owners, but how do you know if your device makes the cut? Apple tends to support products with software updates for roughly five years (sometimes more). Find the full list of watchOS 26 eligible Apple Watch models below.

watchOS 26 Apple Watch upgrade list

Apple Watch 6

(Image credit: Future)

The following Apple Watch models meet system requirements to run the latest watchOS 26 software, including the Series 6 and newer, SE (2022) and newer, and Ultra series.

  • Apple Watch Series 6
  • Apple Watch Series 7
  • Apple Watch Series 8
  • Apple Watch Series 9
  • Apple Watch Series 10
  • Apple Watch Series 11
  • Apple Watch SE (2022)
  • Apple Watch SE 3
  • Apple Watch Ultra
  • Apple Watch Ultra 2
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3

How to download and install watchOS 26

Apple Watch Series 10 updating to watchOS 26

(Image credit: Future)

Ready to update your Apple Watch to the latest operating system? Check out my step-by-step guide on how to download and install watchOS 26. Note, you will also need to first update your iPhone to the latest software. Don’t worry, we also have instructions on how to install iOS 26.

watchOS 26 limitations

It’s worth mentioning that some of the new features introduced in watchOS 26, including Workout Buddy, require a paired Apple Intelligence-compatible phone to run (iPhone 15 Pro), as the computational component requires more processing power than any current Apple Watch model is capable of. Live translations also fall into this category.

Similarly, the new hypertension detection feature is only available for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. On the other hand, all watchOS 26 eligible models now support daily sleep scores.

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Dan Bracaglia
Dan Bracaglia
Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables

Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others. 

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.

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