In summary:
- Macworld reports that watchOS 26.5 is expected to roll out next week, bringing essential bug fixes and a new Pride Luminance watch face for Pride month.
- The update addresses two key issues: Messages incorrectly using SMS instead of iMessage with dual SIM iPhones and Workout app audio alerts failing when iPhone isn’t nearby.
- Apple Watch users should install this free update to ensure optimal performance and security on their devices.
Some pundits have wondered if Apple is running out of ideas for watchOS development, with major new features seemingly in short supply for the upcoming watchOS 27 demo at WWDC. But it will still be important to keep your Apple Watch’s software up to date, if only to keep on top of security patches and bug fixes.
Take the watchOS 26.5 software update, for example. The point update, which is expected to roll out to the public next week, contains fixes for two bugs, according to the release notes (via MacRumors). Neither of them is disastrous, but given that OS updates are free, there’s no reason to suffer without the fix.
Apple describes the bugs as follows:
- Fixes an issue where Messages on Apple Watch may use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone
- Fixes an issue where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the phone was not nearby Apple Watch
If that isn’t enough incentive to install watchOS 26.5, Apple has also announced it will contain a new Pride Luminance watch face for Pride month.
Apple rolled out the release candidate (RC) of watchOS 26.5, as well as the 26.5 RCs for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Vision Pro, on May 4. The RC is a late beta version that in principle is ready to launch, unless a problem is spotted, so the final version is likely to roll out next week.
To update watchOS on your Apple Watch, open the Settings app and tap General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Install and follow the onscreen instructions.
Author: David Price, Editor, Macworld
David has been writing about technology for well over two decades, and got on board the Apple hype train when covering the original iPhone launch in 2007. He is an enthusiastic Apple Watch evangelist and feels that the HomePod is misunderstood.