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Apple releases watchOS 26 beta 2

watchOS 26 is the next big software update coming to Apple Watch, and Apple has just released developer beta 2 for testing.

watchOS 26 adds revamped Workout app, Liquid Glass, Apple Notes, more

Apple Watch users will get a variety of new features this fall in watchOS 26, Apple’s next major software update.

The Notes app is coming to your wrist in watchOS 26, plus a fresh ‘Liquid Glass’ design, the AI-powered Workout Buddy, and a variety of other changes.

Apple released the first watchOS 26 beta two weeks ago, and now beta 2 has just arrived.

Out of Apple’s various new software updates coming this fall, watchOS 26 is so far on the lighter side in terms of new features.

Apple Notes app watchOS 26

That said, some of the changes coming do impact the core watchOS experience.

For example, the Workout app not only adds Workout Buddy, but it also has been revamped with an entirely new layout.

Additionally, Liquid Glass impacts a variety of UI elements throughout watchOS. Arguably though, to a much lesser extent than on larger-screened platforms like iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

We’ll keep you posted on any changes and new features introduced in watchOS 26 beta 2.

If you’ve not yet installed the watchOS 26 beta, just know that it first requires running an iPhone on iOS 26. So you won’t see watchOS 26 beta 2 inside the Watch app on your iPhone unless iOS 26 is installed.

Have you installed watchOS 26 beta 2? Found any changes? Let us know in the comments.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.