Apple Watch Set for Major Update: New Feature Revealed

Apple tends to introduce new features on the iPhone and then extend similar functionalities to its other devices the following year. This trend continues this year as well.

Last year, with the launch of iOS 18, Apple allowed users to personalize their iPhone’s Control Center in significantly innovative ways. Now, with the upcoming watchOS 26, we can expect some noteworthy changes to the Apple Watch’s Control Center for the very first time.

Enhanced wrist control

The Control Center on your Apple Watch offers quick access to vital settings. You can activate your flashlight, switch Wi-Fi on or off, or locate your iPhone if it goes missing.

Up until now, you’ve had limited options to customize the Control Center on your Apple Watch. You could rearrange various icons or include a setting from one of Apple’s built-in apps.

However, with watchOS 26, the features of your iPhone’s Control Center are finally making their way to your Apple Watch’s Control Center. This is exciting for two main reasons.

Manage your iPhone … right from your wrist

To begin with, it allows you to effectively control and keep an eye on your iPhone using your Apple Watch. With the introduction of watchOS 26, your Apple Watch’s Control Center will now feature the same toggles found in your iPhone’s Control Center for the very first time.

This means that as long as your Apple Watch is synced with your iPhone, you can utilize the Control Center on your Apple Watch to perform actions such as: activating your iPhone’s flashlight, switching your iPhone’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on and off, or even checking your iPhone’s battery status.

Essentially, the Control Center on the Apple Watch will no longer be limited to just watch-specific functions.

Integration of third-party applications

Additionally, your Apple Watch’s Control Center will now include controls for third-party applications for the first time. This marks a significant shift from relying solely on Apple’s standard toggles.

During its keynote, Apple highlighted Dark Noise (a well-known ambient noise application) as an example. With watchOS 26, you’ll have the ability to incorporate a custom control into the Apple Watch’s Control Center that lets you activate a sleep soundscape without needing to reach for your iPhone.

(Note: Third-party developers will have the opportunity to design custom APIs specifically for the Apple Watch’s Control Center, although not all will be available at the time of launch.)

If a third-party app lacks a corresponding Apple Watch app — as is the case with Dark Noise — you’re still in luck.

Since your Apple Watch will have access to the same Control Center toggles as your iPhone, you’ll also be able to use many of its third-party toggles. When you activate them on your Apple Watch, the action will take place on your iPhone.

What other upcoming features?

Alongside the updates to the Control Center, watchOS 26 is set to introduce several additional features for your Apple Watch.

One of these is the “Wrist Flick,” a swift flick of your wrist that allows you to dismiss app notifications, incoming calls, and even silence timers.

Another notable feature coming soon is the “Workout Buddy.” While you engage in an exercise using the Workout app, an AI-driven assistant will converse with you, providing real-time data and motivational support.