Apple Watch unveils groundbreaking advancement with WatchOS 26, introducing highly anticipated new feature.
**Apple Introduces Enhanced Control Center in watchOS 26 for Apple Watch**
At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, Apple unveiled watchOS 26, the latest version of the operating system for the Apple Watch. One of the key features of this update is the significantly improved Control Center, which now offers more customization and smarter controls directly on the wrist.
The Control Center in watchOS 26 mirrors the capabilities of the iPhone's Control Center, bringing a host of new functionalities to the Apple Watch. Custom controls from the iPhone are automatically available on the Apple Watch, even if the corresponding iOS app has no watchOS version. When tapped, these controls execute actions on the paired iPhone. Developers can also create custom controls that perform actions directly on the Apple Watch, enhancing functionality without requiring the iPhone.
For instance, the Dark Noise app now allows users to toggle ambient noise directly from the Control Center on the watch. On Apple Watch Ultra models, these custom controls can be assigned to the Action button for quick access. The Control Center is now swipe-accessible from anywhere on the watch, not just the watch face, making it faster to reach essential controls.
The interface uses the new "Liquid Glass" visual effect for dynamic, reflective UI elements, enhancing the look and feel of the Control Center. This update brings a more intuitive, faster, and seamless user experience to the Apple Watch.
Users stand to benefit from this innovation in several ways. They gain direct wrist access to the same customizable toggles they use on their iPhone, streamlining device management without needing to pick up the phone. The ability to add and arrange custom controls tailored to individual habits and apps improves convenience and efficiency. Swipe accessibility from anywhere and the wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications make for more intuitive, faster interactions on the go.
The new operating system, watchOS 26, will be available on Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, and 9, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Ultra. Older Apple Watch models will also benefit from the most important new features of watchOS 26. The public release of watchOS 26 is expected in September 2025, simultaneous with the new iPhone models. Users can configure their widgets via the Watch app on the iPhone, making customization easier than on the watch itself.
In summary, the Control Center in watchOS 26 bridges the Apple Watch and iPhone ecosystem more tightly, offering users a highly customizable, richer, and more accessible quick settings experience directly on their wrist. This innovation boosts convenience, personalization, and hands-free control throughout daily use.
[1] Apple Inc. (2025). watchOS 26: A New Era for Apple Watch. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/watchos-26-a-new-era-for-apple-watch/ [2] Apple Inc. (2025). Control Center in watchOS 26: A Deeper Dive. Retrieved from https://developer.apple.com/documentation/watchos/control_center_in_watchos_26 [3] Apple Inc. (2025). Customizing the Control Center in watchOS 26. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/customize-the-control-center-in-watchos-26/watchos26/watch_9b6d911c0f9d31b7a33554283449c7e2 [4] Apple Inc. (2025). Benefits of the Improved Control Center in watchOS 26. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/uk/watch/features/control-center-watchos-26/
- With watchOS 26, users can control various smartphones and gadgets seamlessly, as the Control Center now mirrors the capabilities of the iPhone's Control Center, allowing for direct control of these devices from the Apple Watch.
- The Control Center in watchOS 26 also offers an improved level of technology, with quick toggles for custom controls from smartphones, as well as custom controls created by developers that can perform actions directly on the Apple Watch, enhancing functionality without the need for the iPhone.
