Apple announced watchOS 27 at WWDC 2026, bringing Siri AI support, a redesigned app grid, and expanded health and fitness features to compatible Apple Watch models. The update is scheduled to arrive “this fall,” though Siri AI will not be available until a beta launches later in the year.
The headline addition is Siri AI, a next-generation version of Apple’s virtual assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. A new dedicated Siri app consolidates conversations in one place and lets users start a chat on their Apple Watch or pick up a conversation begun on their iPhone. Siri AI can also perform in-app actions — such as playing songs, sending emails, or setting Activity ring goals — without users navigating menus manually. Using Siri AI on watchOS 27 requires pairing with an Apple Intelligence-enabled device. Apple noted the feature is not coming to iOS and iPadOS devices in the EU at this time.
A new dynamic app grid accompanies the Siri integration, placing the Siri app at the center and surrounding it with frequently used and recently opened apps. The grid also surfaces Siri-suggested apps automatically.
On the health and fitness side, Workout Buddy — the AI-powered personal trainer feature introduced in watchOS 26 — gains new insights into pace, distance, and workout duration, along with improved run tracking for outdoor and treadmill sessions. Menstrual health tracking has been expanded to flag cycle patterns associated with perimenopause. Workout Buddy, previously available only in English, will now also support Spanish.
Additional system updates include smarter Smart Stack widget suggestions, faster music playback, battery optimizations, a streamlined Find My app experience, and a refined Liquid Glass interface intended to improve text readability. A new gesture — tapping the index finger and thumb together — allows users to select a widget from the Smart Stack.
watchOS 27 will be supported on Apple Watch Series 9 and newer, including the SE 3, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. Older models will not receive the update. The new version follows watchOS 26, which Apple released in September 2025 and which introduced the Liquid Glass design language and initial Apple Intelligence fitness features.
Source: The Verge