watchOS 26.2 release: on this date your Apple Watch will get more functions

Another update for the Apple Watch is coming! Wondering when your Apple Watch will get new features? This is the expected release of watchOS 26.2.

watchOS 26.2 release

Your Apple Watch will soon receive new functions! Apple is working on watchOS 26.2, an update that will come to your Apple Watch in December. The next software version is expected to be released in the week of December 15, 2025. The exact day on which watchOS 26.2 will be released is not yet known, but Apple often sticks to the same schedule when updating products. Similar updates came to the Apple Watch earlier on these days:

• watchOS 11.2: Wednesday December 11, 2024;
• watchOS 10.2: Monday December 11, 2023;
• watchOS 9.2: Tuesday December 13, 2022.

If we extend this line to watchOS 26.2, we can expect the release Monday December 15, 2025 to expect. Apple usually releases new software versions on a Monday, which happens around 7:00 PM (Dutch time). So keep a close eye on your Apple Watch on Monday, December 15, 2025 around 7:00 PM, because there is a good chance that you will be able to install watchOS 26.2 then.

New features in watchOS 26.2

With watchOS 26.2, several new features and improvements come to your Apple Watch. With watchOS 26, Apple introduced the sleep score in the Health app. This score shows how good (or bad) your night’s sleep was, based on health data collected during your night’s sleep. In the new software version, the sleep score is divided into more categories, so that you can see more clearly what the quality of your night’s sleep was.

Do you have a subscription to Apple Music? In that case, watchOS 26.2 solves an annoying problem, because a software error prevents the Music app from skipping to the next song on the Apple Watch. This problem has been resolved in the next software version, making Apple Music work properly again on the smartwatch. As far as we know, the problem does not occur with other music services.

More improvements

Apple is mainly making minor improvements in watchOS 26.2. Sharing Wi-Fi networks between iPhone and Apple Watch becomes easier. Is your iPhone connected to a known network? Starting with watchOS 26.2, your iPhone automatically shares this network with your Apple Watch when both devices are in the same location. This way, your Apple Watch automatically gains access to the most important networks, without you having to do anything yourself.

We don’t have to wait much longer for these new features and improvements, because the release of watchOS 26.2 is expected on Monday, December 15, 2025. Does your Apple Watch not support watchOS 26? Unfortunately, it is not possible to install watchOS 26.2. If you want access to the latest features and custom design of watchOS 26, it’s time for another Apple Watch. View the lowest prices of the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch SE 3 here: