Apple watchOS 27: all the details, just the facts

This page covers everything announced for watchOS 27 at WWDC 2026 on 8 June, including details from Apple’s developer documentation. It will be updated as developer and public betas reveal new details through summer 2026.

Last updated: 8 June 2026.

Compatibility

Supported	Dropped
Apple Watch Series 11	Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 10	Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Ultra 3	Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen)
Apple Watch Ultra 2	Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch Series 9 was initially omitted from Apple’s website in error. Apple confirmed the mistake to 9to5Mac on 8 June.

The compatibility line is the S9 SiP (A16 Bionic core) and above. The Ultra 1 uses the S8 SiP (A13 Bionic) and falls on the dropped side alongside the Series 8 and SE 2. For more on the Ultra 1 cut, see Apple Watch Ultra 1 owners: your support has just stopped.

Requires iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd gen or later), running iOS 27.

AI requirements

Apple Intelligence features (including Siri AI) require:

• Apple Watch Series 10 or later, Ultra 2 or later, or SE 3. Series 9 gets watchOS 27 but not Apple Intelligence features.
• A paired iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model or later.
• Siri AI and Apple Intelligence processing happens via private cloud compute through the paired iPhone.
• The Vision framework runs on-device on the watch for image understanding (photo smart-cropping, barcode reading from saved documents).

The EU DMA delay affecting Siri AI on iOS and iPadOS does not apply to watchOS.

Siri AI

• New dedicated Siri app on the watch.
• Conversations sync across Apple Watch, iPhone and other Apple devices.
• Supports open-ended questions and back-and-forth conversation.
• Can search personal data (notes, emails, messages).
• Third-party extensions available (ChatGPT, Gemini, Anthropic reported).
• Call Context surfaces relevant information during phone calls, such as confirmation codes from Mail when calling an airline.

Sport and fitness

• Workout Buddy gains coaching insights based on pace, distance and workout duration.
• Workout Buddy now works without an iPhone nearby.
• Workout Buddy adds Spanish language support.
• Treadmill run and walk distance tracking improved via updated motion algorithms.
• GymKit expands to iPhone, removing the Apple Watch requirement for gym equipment pairing.
• HealthKit now exposes heart rate and cycling power zones to third-party apps, with live zone updates during workouts.
• Developers can set custom zone boundaries per workout, opening the door for apps like TrainingPeaks and Intervals.icu to display real-time power zone data natively on the watch.

Health

• Cycle tracking adds perimenopause and menopause support.
• Alerts users to cycle deviations with educational guidance.
• A public perimenopause and menopause API allows third-party health apps to build on this data.

Developer frameworks

• The Foundation Models framework arrives on watchOS, enabling glanceable summaries, workout feedback and smart replies while keeping data private.
• The Vision framework brings on-device image understanding to the watch: smart-crop photos to fit the smaller display, or read barcodes from saved documents.

Interface and navigation

• Liquid Glass design refresh continues with improved readability and contrast.
• Dynamic app grid provides shortcuts to six frequently used apps.
• New index-and-thumb tap gesture selects widgets from the Smart Stack.
• Smart Stack gains expanded suggestions: birthday reminders, parked car location, sleep alarm adjustments before holidays, transit card balance checks.
• Find My consolidates into a single app on the watch.
• Faster music playback.
• Fitness and Health step count synchronisation.
• Battery optimisation recommendations.
• Custom Wallet passes via QR codes and barcodes.
• Expanded child safety features via Child Accounts and Apple Watch For Your Kids.

Timeline

• Developer beta 1: available 8 June 2026.
• Public beta: expected July 2026.
• General release: expected September 2026, likely alongside Apple Watch Series 12 and possibly Ultra 4.

Still unknown

Apple did not provide the usual granular breakdown of sport and wellness features during the WWDC keynote. Further details are expected via developer beta release notes and the September hardware event. This section will be updated as new information emerges.

• Heart rate tracking improvements (rumoured by Gurman via MacRumors, not confirmed on stage).
• New watch faces including Modular Ultra variant for non-Ultra models (rumoured, unconfirmed).
• Satellite features extending from iOS 27 (unconfirmed for watchOS).
• Security patch policy for dropped devices (Apple has not commented).

Frequently asked questions

Will my Apple Watch get watchOS 27?

Only Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3 and SE 3. Everything older is excluded, including the original Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8. See the best Apple Watch 2026 guide if you are considering an upgrade.

Why was the Apple Watch Ultra 1 dropped?

The Ultra 1 uses the S8 SiP, built on A13 Bionic architecture from 2019. Apple drew the compatibility line at the S9 SiP (A16 Bionic). The Ultra 2 uses the S9 and survives. Full analysis in Apple Watch Ultra 1 owners: your support has just stopped.

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 support watchOS 27?

Yes. Apple’s website initially omitted it in error. Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that the Series 9 is fully supported. It will not, however, receive Apple Intelligence features.

Do I need an iPhone 15 Pro for watchOS 27?

No. watchOS 27 installs with any iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27. You need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer only for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features on the watch.

Does AI run on the Apple Watch itself?

Siri AI and Apple Intelligence process via private cloud compute through the paired iPhone. The Vision framework for image understanding (photo cropping, barcode reading) does run on-device on the watch.

Will watchOS 27 work in the EU?

Yes. The DMA delay affecting Siri AI on iOS and iPadOS does not apply to watchOS. All watchOS 27 features, including Siri AI, are confirmed for the EU.

What are the new workout zone features?

HealthKit now exposes heart rate and cycling power zones to third-party apps. Developers can read zone configurations, receive live zone updates during workouts, and set custom zone boundaries. This means apps like TrainingPeaks, Intervals.icu and similar could display real-time training zone data natively on the watch.

Can I use Workout Buddy without my iPhone?

Yes. watchOS 27 allows Workout Buddy to function without an iPhone nearby. Previously it required a paired iPhone.

What happens to my Apple Watch if it’s not supported?

It stays on watchOS 26. All existing features continue to work. Apple has not confirmed whether security patches will follow, though the company’s pattern is to provide them for at least one cycle after a device loses major OS support.

When does watchOS 27 release?

Developer beta 1 is available now (8 June 2026). Public beta is expected in July. General release is expected in September 2026, likely alongside new Apple Watch hardware.

How does Apple Watch support compare to Garmin?

Garmin routinely supports devices with firmware updates for considerably longer than four years. Apple has published no equivalent support commitment for the Apple Watch. Samsung guarantees four years of major updates. For the broader picture, see the 2026 watch rumours and comparison guide.

What is the Foundation Models framework on watchOS?

A new Apple developer framework enabling on-device AI features such as glanceable summaries, workout feedback and smart replies. It uses Apple’s Foundation Models framework with Private Cloud Compute to keep data private.

Last Updated on 9 June 2026 by the5krunner