Apple has officially unveiled watchOS 27, bringing one of the biggest Apple Watch updates in recent years. While iOS 27 and macOS 27 focus heavily on Apple Intelligence, watchOS 27 adapts many of those capabilities for the wrist with a new Siri AI experience, a dedicated Siri app, smarter app navigation, expanded health features, and meaningful quality-of-life improvements.
The update also introduces a redesigned Dynamic App Grid, a new tap gesture, upgraded Workout Buddy insights, expanded menstrual health tracking, and a more useful Smart Stack. However, Apple is also making a major change to compatibility, with watchOS 27 supporting only five Apple Watch models.
The developer beta is available now, with a public beta expected next month ahead of a wider release this fall.
Siri AI comes to Apple Watch
Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri AI transforms the Apple Watch assistant into a more conversational and capable experience. Users can ask open-ended questions, brainstorm ideas, get workout suggestions, find information from personal content, and have natural back-and-forth conversations directly from their wrist.
Apple says Siri AI can access personal context to help surface relevant information. Users can ask Siri to locate a saved note, retrieve important information from emails, find details from previous messages, or pull up information stored elsewhere in their Apple ecosystem.
Siri AI can also tap into broad world knowledge to answer questions about virtually any topic while users are on the move.
A dedicated Siri app arrives on Apple Watch
For the first time, Siri gets its own dedicated app on Apple Watch. The new Siri app keeps conversations synced across Apple devices, allowing users to start a conversation on iPhone, Mac, or iPad and continue it later from their wrist. Conversations can be revisited, pinned for quick access, or used as a starting point for follow-up questions.
The addition makes Siri feel much more like a modern AI assistant while providing continuity across Apple’s ecosystem.
Siri can take actions across apps
Siri AI isn’t limited to answering questions. Users can ask Siri to perform actions across supported apps, including creating reminders, managing playlists, checking upcoming events, sending emails, accessing directions, and sharing information with contacts.
This deeper integration makes Siri AI significantly more useful for completing everyday tasks without needing to reach for an iPhone.
Dynamic App Grid replaces the traditional experience
watchOS 27 introduces a new Dynamic App Grid designed to surface the apps users are most likely to need. The grid automatically highlights Siri-suggested apps, frequently used apps, and recently opened apps. Apple is placing the Siri app at the center of this experience, reinforcing its importance throughout watchOS 27.
The feature aims to reduce scrolling and make app access faster throughout the day.
Workout Buddy gets smarter
Apple is adding new motivational insights based on additional workout data, including pace, distance, workout duration, and fitness history. The feature can provide more relevant feedback during workouts and deliver encouragement based on personal progress. One of the most practical upgrades is the ability to use Workout Buddy without carrying an iPhone.
Workout Buddy is also now available in Spanish, expanding support to more users.
Better tracking for indoor workouts
The update delivers more accurate distance measurements for treadmill runs and indoor walks directly from the Apple Watch, helping users get more reliable workout metrics without requiring additional equipment.
Expanded support for perimenopause and menopause tracking
The Health app can now provide notifications when logged cycle patterns may suggest perimenopause. Users can track related symptoms, monitor trends, and access educational resources designed to help better understand these changes.
The feature builds on Apple’s existing Cycle Tracking capabilities and further expands the Apple Watch’s health-focused functionality.
A new tap gesture makes navigation easier
Users can tap their index finger and thumb together once to select widgets within Smart Stack and quickly access relevant information. The feature is particularly useful when one hand is occupied, making Apple Watch interactions more convenient throughout the day.
Smart Stack becomes more proactive
watchOS 27 surfaces more contextual widget suggestions based on what is happening in a user’s day. Smart Stack can suggest sending birthday wishes, displaying parked car information, adjusting holiday-related alarms, checking transit card balances, and surfacing other timely information when it becomes relevant.
These improvements help Apple Watch deliver useful information without requiring users to actively search for it.
Find My gets a simpler design
The Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items apps are being consolidated into a single Find My app.
The redesigned experience offers a more map-focused interface that makes it easier to locate people, devices, and belongings from one central location.
Call Context brings useful information to your wrist
Apple is also bringing Call Context to Apple Watch. When calling a business, watchOS 27 can proactively surface relevant information from apps like Mail. For example, if a user calls an airline, Apple Watch can display flight confirmation details or reservation information during the call.
This helps reduce the need to switch between apps while handling customer service calls.
Wallet becomes more useful
Users can create passes for memberships, loyalty programs, library cards, and other cards that use QR codes or barcodes. These passes can be accessed through Wallet or pinned to Smart Stack for faster access.
Design and performance improvements
watchOS 27 improves readability with better contrast and more consistent visual effects throughout the interface. Apple says the changes make content easier to read while maintaining the familiar Apple Watch design language.
The update also includes faster Music playback startup times, synchronized step counts between Health and Fitness apps, and battery optimization suggestions to help users get the most out of their devices.
Child safety features expand to Apple Watch
Apple continues to expand child safety protections across its platforms. Child Accounts provide age-appropriate protections and parental controls, while Apple Watch For Your Kids allows parents to set up and manage an Apple Watch for a child who does not yet have an iPhone.
These features help children stay connected while giving parents additional visibility and control.
watchOS 27 compatibility
watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27 and supports the following Apple Watch models:
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple has dropped support for several previous models, including Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, and the original Apple Watch Ultra.
Release date
The watchOS 27 developer beta is available now through the Apple Developer Program. Apple is expected to release a public beta next month, followed by the final version this fall.
While the limited compatibility list may disappoint some users, watchOS 27 delivers meaningful upgrades for supported devices. Between Siri AI, the dedicated Siri app, Dynamic App Grid, smarter fitness insights, improved health tracking, and useful everyday refinements, the update makes Apple Watch feel more intelligent, personal, and capable than ever.
