watchOS 27 is the new version of watchOS that will arrive on Apple Watch this fall. It’s a little light on features, but there are some useful new additions, including access to Siri AI.
watchOS 27 will have Siri AI, so you’ll be able to use many of the same Siri features you have on the iPhone on your wrist. Currently, Siri features are not in the watchOS 27 beta, but integration will come later this year. Apple is planning a Siri app on the watch so you can access all your Siri conversations.
The Siri AI for the Watch will rely on a connected iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, so you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or later to use it on your Watch. Siri will be able to access your personal data, search for information on the web to answer questions and take actions in applications.
A new dynamic app grid is available when you press the Digital Crown. It will bring the Siri app to the forefront, while also showing suggested Siri apps that include your most used and recently used apps. The view shows several apps besides Siri and a shortcut to access the full list of apps. Apple has also improved Liquid Glass with better contrast and more uniform refraction, which improves readability.
Workout Buddy is now available even without your iPhone nearby, and there are new metrics to keep you motivated, with the watch tracking gradual increases in distance, pace and duration of runs. Cycle tracking now supports menopause/perimenopause recognition and notifications, and treadmill readings will be more accurate.
Apple has added a new tap gesture, allowing you to tap your index finger and thumb once to select a widget in the Smart Stack. There are new Smart Stack-suggested widgets for finding a parked car, accessing Siri, accessing pinned messages, accessing transit maps, seeing noise notifications, receiving reminders for birthdays, and more.
When you receive a phone call, your watch may display information about the call, such as a flight confirmation number if you’re on the phone with an airline. Custom passes created with the Wallet app on iPhone work on the Apple Watch, and there’s a new unified Find My app for locating devices, items and people. The Find My app supports precision search to locate an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 or AirTag 2.
Under-the-hood improvements extend battery life, with Apple disabling little-used features like gestures, start-workout reminders, and Raise to Speak to conserve battery life.
watchOS 27 works on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and Apple Watch SE 3.
