Apple Intelligence comes to the Apple Watch for the first time with Watchos 26, but that does not apply to all models. These Apple Watches get Apple Intelligence!
Watchos 26
This year Watchos 26 is the update for the Apple Watch. Apple provides the operating system with a new interface, in which you see many Liquid Glass elements. That’s not all, because Apple Intelligence comes to the Apple Watch for the first time with Watchos 26. The iPhone, iPad and Mac (book) already work with all the new features from Apple Intelligence, but the software is missing on the smartwatch for the time being.
Watchos 26 changes that, because then the first functions of Apple Intelligence also come to the Apple Watch. Live translation, smart reactions and the workout buddy are AI-features that come to the smartwatch with Watchos 26. With live translation, texts in messages are automatically converted into another language, with smart responses the smartwatch automatically answers in the Message app and the Workout Buddy provides sports advice. Unfortunately, not all Apple Watches have support for these functions.
Apple Intelligence on the Apple Watch
With Watchos, Apple brings 26 major changes to the Apple Watch, including the first functions of Apple Intelligence. For that, your smartwatch must have support for Apple Intelligence, in some cases you even need an iPhone with support for Apple Intelligence. Are you curious about what functions of Apple Intelligence work on your Apple Watch? These devices have support:
| Function | Support | Need iPhone with Apple Intelligence? |
|---|---|---|
| Live translate | Apple Watch Series 9 Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Yes |
| Smart reactions | Apple Watch Series 9 Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
No |
| Workout Buddy | All Apple Watches in combination with Bluetooth earphones or headphones | Yes |
Do you not see the table? Then view this image.
Do you have an Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Ultra 2? In that case you will soon be able to translate functions such as live and use smart reactions. For the latter you do not need an iPhone with support for Apple Intelligence, with live translation that is the case. The workout buddy comes to all Apple Watches, but only works with a bluetooth connection with ears or headphones. For the Workout Buddy, an iPhone with support for Apple Intelligence is also required, read here which iPhones work with the new technology.
Release of Watchos 26
With Watchos 26, in addition to Apple Intelligence, many more functions come to the Apple Watch. The smartwatch gets new gestures, so you can soon turn your wrist away to close notifications. In addition, Apple gives users more freedom when classifying the control panel on the Apple Watch, where you can add 26 regulators of all applications in Watchos. So there you are no longer limited to only Apps from Apple itself.
Apple releases Watchos 26 in September, together with the other major software updates of 2025. The company has already announced that Apple Intelligence is not yet available in Dutch. The technology only comes out with a later update in the Netherlands and Belgium, although you can already use Apple Intelligence here in English. Are you curious when all AI functions will be rolled out in Dutch? Then view the expected release date here!
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