Apple previewed watchOS 27 on June 8 during WWDC26, bringing Siri AI to Apple Watch while expanding health tracking, Workout Buddy, and Smart Stack with new Apple Intelligence-powered features.
watchOS 27 puts Siri AI at the center of the Apple Watch experience. Apple says the new assistant can answer open-ended questions, hold more natural conversations, and find information from a user's personal context.
The update also expands Workout Buddy with new coaching insights based on fitness history and support for Spanish. Smart Stack is gaining more contextual suggestions that surface useful information throughout the day.
Apple brings Siri AI to the wrist
The biggest addition in watchOS 27 is Siri AI, Apple's new Apple Intelligence-powered assistant for Apple Watch. Apple says the feature delivers richer answers and supports more natural conversations than the current version of Siri.
Users can ask open-ended questions directly from their wrist, or brainstorm ideas and continue conversations across multiple responses. Apple demonstrated the feature by showing a user asking for running recovery stretches and receiving a detailed response on Apple Watch.
watchOS 27 puts Siri AI at the center of the Apple Watch experience.Siri can also use information stored across notes and other personal content to answer questions. During its preview, Apple showed the assistant locating a driver's license number and finding the access code for an upcoming rental property.
It also retrieved information from saved notes. Apple says the feature is designed to make information already stored within its ecosystem easier to access without reaching for an iPhone.
Health and fitness features continue to expand
watchOS 27 expands both health tracking and fitness coaching. The update adds expanded menstrual health support, including cycle deviation notifications related to perimenopause for eligible users.
Apple is also improving running features with better run tracking and additional workout insights. The company says the update adds new data tied to pace, distance, and workout duration, giving users more information about their performance over time.
Workout Buddy is gaining Spanish language support and new motivational insights based on a user's fitness history. The feature can provide feedback tied to workout performance and progress while delivering more personalized coaching.
Cycle Tracking in the Health app can provide notifications when your logged cycle patterns are suggestive of perimenopause.The update also gives Workout Buddy access to additional performance data. Apple says those insights help the feature deliver more relevant motivation during workouts.
Users can also access Workout Buddy during workouts without carrying an iPhone.
Smart Stack gets smarter
watchOS 27 includes several interface refinements that make Apple Watch quicker to use throughout the day. A new gesture lets users tap their thumb and index finger together once to select widgets and access information with one hand.
Smart Stack is also gaining more contextual suggestions. Apple says the feature can surface information based on a user's activity and immediate needs.
Examples shown by Apple include birthday reminders for close contacts and the location of a parked car. Smart Stack can also suggest sleep alarm adjustments before holidays.
Transit cards can appear when users need quick access to balances and passes. The changes give Smart Stack a larger role in helping users access timely information without opening individual apps.
Wallet and family features receive updates
Apple is expanding Wallet on Apple Watch with support for custom passes created from QR codes and barcodes. Users can create passes for items such as library cards and membership cards.
Passes can be accessed through Wallet or pinned in Smart Stack for quicker access.
watchOS 27 also expands family-focused features. Child Accounts continue to provide built-in protections for younger users. Apple Watch For Your Kids lets parents set up and manage an Apple Watch for a child who doesn't yet have an iPhone.
Availability
The first developer beta of watchOS 27 is available beginning June 8. Apple plans to release a public beta later in 2026 before rolling out the final version this fall.
watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), running iOS 27. Compatible devices include Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
