watchOS 27 strengthens the Apple Watch as a smart assistant on your wrist, with Siri AI as the main feature and improvements for workouts, notifications and the interface. The update makes it easier to perform actions and get information with your voice, without having to use your iPhone.
At the same time, watchOS 27 addresses everyday inconveniences with a more dynamic app screen, faster music playback, Smart Stack widgets, improved Workout Buddy and innovations in apps such as Wallet and Find My. However, many of these innovations are not always available in Dutch. In this article we list the most important innovations and explain what they mean for Apple Watch users.
Siri AI as the new assistant
With watchOS 27, the Apple Watch gets a completely new generation of Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, which understands what you mean much better and can participate in natural conversations. You can ask open questions, have ideas come up for your running schedule or wellness routine, for example, and Siri AI uses online information if necessary to give you up-to-date answers, for example about timetables or general knowledge.
Siri AI can also take your personal context into account, such as notes, codes or appointments, so that you can, for example, ask for a door code or reservation number without having to search yourself. All this happens directly from your wrist, making the Apple Watch more of a standalone digital assistant than ever
The new Siri app on the Watch
New in watchOS 27 is the separate Siri app that brings all your conversations with Siri together in one place. You can pin ongoing conversations for quick access, or start a question on your Mac and continue later seamlessly on your Apple Watch. This app turns Siri AI into a kind of chat interface on your watch, where you can quickly recall a previous workout schedule or previously given advice, for example. That makes Siri less fleeting and more of an ongoing conversation that guides you through the day.
Siri AI not yet in Dutch
Unlike iOS and iPadOS, Siri AI can be accessed by users in the EU on Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, as long as the device is set to a supported language. This means that you can use Siri AI and the Siri app if you set up your Apple Watch or Mac in English. The EU allows this because these platforms are not considered gatekeepers under the European Digital Markets Act. However, it remains unclear to what extent Siri AI will function on an Apple Watch, as it cannot operate independently without a paired iPhone running Siri AI.
Liquid Glass and design improvements
Apple further sharpens the Liquid Glass design, with more even light refraction and better contrast for improved readability. Especially with complex backgrounds or bright light, text should stand out better from the rest of the interface.
Dynamic app screen with suggestions
May require Siri AI
The app screen in watchOS 27 will have a dynamic grid that automatically pushes apps forward that you probably need, such as recently used apps and apps suggested by Siri. The Siri app is central as standard, so that you always have direct access to your AI assistant. At the time of writing, it is not yet clear how this functions without Siri AI.
Improved Smart Stack with contextual widgets
The Smart Stack becomes much more context-aware in watchOS 27 and shows more widgets exactly when you need them. Examples include a reminder to wish a contact a happy birthday, the location of your parked car, an adjusted wake-up time around certain holidays or your public transport card at the top for a quick balance check. You can also store important cards, such as your public transport pass or a specific membership card, in the Smart Stack so that you have them ready immediately.
New tapping gesture for Smart Stack
With watchOS 27, Apple introduces a handy tapping gesture where you tap your index finger and thumb together once to select a widget in the Smart Stack. This allows you to open a widget more quickly without touching the screen. When combined with existing gesture controls, the Apple Watch becomes significantly more accessible, especially in situations where direct touch is inconvenient.
Workout Buddy
Only available in English and Spanish
Workout Buddy gets deeper insights based on your exercise history, such as your progress in pace, distance and duration of workouts. During your training you will receive more targeted motivations and feedback, tailored to what you have done recently instead of just the current session.
An important advantage is that Workout Buddy can now also motivate you when your iPhone is not nearby, so that you can fully rely on your Apple Watch during a run, for example.
Renewed Find My experience
In watchOS 27, Find Devices, Find People and Find Objects are combined into one clear Find My app on the Apple Watch. Everything you want to track is on a map-oriented view, so you can see more quickly where your devices, friends or AirTags are located.
Wallet and cards with QR or barcode
In the Wallet app on iOS 27, it is possible to create your own passes for memberships and cards that use QR codes or barcodes, such as a library card. You add these passes by scanning the code, after which they appear as a digital pass in Wallet and are synchronized with your Apple Watch. You can then quickly open these passes from Wallet or pin them to the Smart Stack for immediate access at the cash register or entrance gate.
Other innovations
- Algorithms for distance measurement for indoor running and walking have been refined, making mileage registration on the treadmill more accurate.
- Steps in the Condition app are better synchronized with the steps in the Health app, so that you are less likely to see differences between the two overviews.
- During telephone calls, the Watch can show relevant information, such as a confirmation code from Mail when you call an airline. (requires Siri AI)
- Playing music from your Apple Watch starts noticeably faster
- Child accounts are being further expanded, so that you as a parent get more control and built-in protection. With Apple Watch For Your Kids you can set up an Apple Watch for your child, even if he or she does not yet have their own iPhone.
- watchOS can also suggest battery optimizations based on your usage, so the Watch uses energy more efficiently and lasts longer on a charge.
Availability watchOS 27
watchOS 27 is coming in the autumn expected and can be installed on the Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, and the Apple Watch SE 3rd generation. Older Apple Watch models will no longer receive updates.