Apple watchOS 26 system requirements: will it run on your Apple Watch?

The latest Apple smartwatch software is called watchOS 26. After months of beta versions, the biggest free Apple Watch update in years is now rolling out to the public.

It’s designed to work perfectly with the new Apple Watch range that includes the Series 11 mainstream watch, more affordable SE 3, and high-end Ultra 3. As well as those new models, a whole bunch of older Apple Watches will also get the free software update – stretching back a few years.

Note that Apple’s software versions are now named after the year ahead – ie: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, etc – to bring naming consistency. So if you’re looking for the requirements to run what you thought was called watchOS 12, you’re in the right place!

But will your current Apple Watch get the update? Here’s our guide to the watchOS 26 system requirements.

Will your Apple Watch get watchOS 26?

Last year, watchOS 11 ditched support for the Apple Watch Series 5, making the Series 6 the oldest smartwatch that supported the update. That watch is five years old now, as it was released in 2020. watchOS 26 continues to support all the same Apple Watches, including Series 6.

In 2023 watchOS 10 ditched support for the Series 4, and before that watchOS 9 finally dropped support for the ageing Series 3.

While Apple Intelligence rolled out to iPhone and Mac users last year in iOS and macOS Sequoia, it remained absent from the Apple Watch. But no longer! watchOS 26 sees some additional AI features finally head for your wrist, with processing taking place on your iPhone. Whether it’s a positive addition to the software remains to be seen. Alongside Apple Intelligence, the glassy redesign from iOS 26 also makes its way to your wrist.

Here’s a full list of the devices expected to be compatible with watchOS 26: