Apple Watch Compatibility for watchOS 26: Which Models Are Eligible?
All About watchOS 26 on Your Apple Watch
Uh-huh! Apple shook things up at WWDC 2025 with the announcement of watchOS 26 for the Apple Watch. This latest update brings a sleek new design, plus a bunch of tasty features. If you got an Apple Watch that supported watchOS 11 in 2024, chances are, you'll be able to snag this update this year, too.
Now, don't fret if you think you've missed a bunch of Apple Watch updates since watchOS 11. Apple's gotten a little weird with the numbering system, so instead of watchOS 12, we're jumping right to watchOS 26 along with iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26[1].
So, wondering if your Apple Watch made the cut for the upgrade?
watchOS 12 or watchOS 26: Everything You Need to Know
Which Apple Watch models can download watchOS 26?
It's a nice surprise for Apple Watch owners that every model compatible with watchOS 11 in 2024 will also get the watchOS 26 update. That means watches back to 2020 can join the party!
To get your hands on the new Apple Watch software, you'll need one of the following models:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
It's also essential to note that watchOS 26 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 26[2][3][4][5].
When will my Apple Watch get watchOS 26?
Apple has confirmed the final version of watchOS 26 will be available for download in the fall this year. That's probably September, when we expect Apple to let you grab the update after the iPhone 17 launch mid-month[1].
For those who can't wait, Apple is releasing an watchOS 26 public beta in July[6]. However, beware! This beta is still in development and may be full of bugs. If you rely on your Apple Watch daily, it's best to avoid this beta software.
Here's the Spill on Other Apple Devices
Don't sweat it, because we've got the info for iPhone users with our iOS 26 supported devices list, and iPad owners can check out the iPadOS 26 supported devices list[7][8].
[1] https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/[2] https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-17-features/[3] https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-26-features/[4] https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipados-26-features/[5] https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/tvos-26-features/[6] https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-events-live-blog/[7] https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/[8] https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/
The upgrade to watchOS 26 is not exclusive to the latest smart-home devices; any Apple Watch that supported watchOS 11 in 2024 will be eligible for the upgrade, even those from as early as 2020. Additionally, the technology revolution doesn't end with Apple Watch; the new software will also be compatible with iPhone 11 or later, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) running iOS 26.
