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Apple Releases watchOS 26.2 With Sleep Score Updates

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today released watchOS 26.2, an update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.1 comes a month after Apple released watchOS 26.1.

watchos-26-gradient-light.jpg

watchOS 26.2 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.2 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

watchOS 26.2 changes the labeling for Sleep Score point ranges to better match how people might be feeling after a night of rest. The update adjusts the ranges for Very Low, Low, OK, High, and Very High sleep score results. Very High is also a new classification that replaces Excellent.

Apple's full release notes for watchOS 26.2 are below.

This update includes improvements and bug fixes, including:
- Refinements to sleep score classifications and notification controls
- An issue where the Music app fails to advance to the next song
- Enhanced Safety Alerts can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance (available in the US)

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 26.2 With Sleep Score Updates
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/12/apple-releases-watchos-26-2/
Praise the update! This drove me insane when running with my Watch and AirPods. So annoying
 
Am I missing something here but haven’t they just changed one word? I want improvements on how they actually score the sleep. The scores are so high each night that they’re practically worthless. I had 6 hours sleep and constant interruptions thanks to my poorly daughter and yet I got an 86!!!
 
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jz0309 said:
992MB on my Ultra 2...
Confirm the license agreement on the watch app on the phone and then turn Bluetooth off and download directly on the watch, much faster
Click to expand...
Wish I had known this before I started the update through my iPhone.
 
Sure hope this fixes the sluggishness and some ghosting that 26 introduced to WatchOS. Used to be so quick and precise. Not anymore.
 
mattburley7 said:
turn bluetooth off where?
Click to expand...
From the iPhone. Do it from System Settings and not the Control Center.

(System Settings will turn it completely off. The button in Control Center just disconnects Bluetooth devices, but still leaves the Apple Watch connected.)

Be sure to turn it back on after the update.
 
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BigBlur said:
From the iPhone. Do it from System Settings and not the Control Center.

(System Settings will turn it completely off. The button in Control Center just disconnects Bluetooth devices, but still leaves the Apple Watch connected.)

Be sure to turn it back on after the update.
Click to expand...

Didn’t help guess this will be the first update where it’s gonna have to install overnight hopefully when I put it on the charger
 
jz0309 said:
992MB on my Ultra 2...
Confirm the license agreement on the watch app on the phone and then turn Bluetooth off and download directly on the watch, much faster
Click to expand...
The watch is the descent of the iPod in that way.
 
I decided to reboot my phone and watch to see what happens and now it says 10 minutes instead of 3 hours! Odd! Both Bluetooth and WiFi are on.
 
Any bug fixes? Sleep Score updated is much needed but my battery life is horrendous since watchOS 26. Went from a day and a half of battery life to 3/4ths of a day.
 
In Poland, the watch started talking again... in English... But it's better than nothing... It's interesting that it used to be able to speak Polish (informing about progress in training)
 
BigBlur said:
From the iPhone. Do it from System Settings and not the Control Center.

(System Settings will turn it completely off. The button in Control Center just disconnects Bluetooth devices, but still leaves the Apple Watch connected.)

Be sure to turn it back on after the update.
Click to expand...
Thanks - this is good information and definitely made a difference. With Bluetooth still on, not only was it projecting several hours to download, it also eventually just gave me errors.
 
bdhokie said:
Thanks - this is good information and definitely made a difference. With Bluetooth still on, not only was it projecting several hours to download, it also eventually just gave me errors.
Click to expand...
Might have spoken too soon. My phone keeps prompting me to turn on Bluetooth and the update seems stalled waiting for me to turn it back on. Is it just me or does Apple's updates, especially on the Watch, have ongoing issues? Each update seems to have insane download time or these type of connectivity issue. I have a new Watch, iPhone 15 pro and 1Gbps Internet. So I don't think for me it's a hardware age or slow connection causing these issues.

My experience in the past is to wait at least several days after a release for some level of consistency. Going to try that I guess!
 
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