watchOS 26.4 Now Available With Workout Update and New Emoji

[MacRumors]

Apple today released watchOS 26.4, the fourth major update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.4 comes a month and a half after Apple released watchOS 26.3.

watchOS 26.4 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.4 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.

The update makes it quicker to start a workout in the Workout app by tapping on a Workout type icon, plus it has eight new emoji characters that include orca, trombone, treasure chest, fight cloud, hairy creature, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face. Apple's release notes are below.

This update introduces 8 new emoji, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Apple Watch This update also includes the following enhancements:

- Support for AirPods Max 2
- Workout type icon in the Workout app lets you start a workout with a single tap
- 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard

More on what's new in watchOS 26 can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup.

Article Link: watchOS 26.4 Now Available With Workout Update and New Emoji

 

[DocMultimedia]

I really hope the workout app is fixed. I'm traveling overseas at the moment and absolutely no way do I ever do updates when across the pond. ✈️

 

[CharlesShaw]

The update makes it quicker to start a workout in the Workout app by tapping on a Workout type icon

Apple convinces us to integrate the watch with our routines and then changes the interface after we've used it for years out in public while performing other activities. At least they listen to feedback and put things back, mostly. Eager to update this today.

 

[Octavius8]

fixes stutters in animations?.

 

[jz0309]

Does it require the phone to be on 26.4 first? I can't seem to initiate the update from the watch, phone still on 26.3

 

[jdavid_rp]

I gotta say that the watchOS 26 workout app has been quite fine for me. I mostly just run, walk, yoga and strength training and the new UI is nice b

 

[tyranne201]

emoji for a watch. why?

 

[Godspeed8230]

I really hope the workout app is fixed. I'm traveling overseas at the moment and absolutely no way do I ever do updates when across the pond. ✈️

What's different across the pond? 🙂

I also hope that the workout app is fixed. So many changes are bad because they were introduced because they had to come up with something, anything.

 

[AppleWes]

Does it require the phone to be on 26.4 first? I can't seem to initiate the update from the watch, phone still on 26.3

Yep you have to update iPhone first this is what happens if you try to update through Watch app

 

[jz0309]

Yep you have to update iPhone first this is what happens if you try to update through Watch app

View attachment 2616377

Thanks for confirming, I tried from the watch itself and it just gives you a "checking for update failed" message...

 

[mattburley7]

sigh still cant get this to download fast it refuses to use anything but bluetooth

 

[I7guy]

It’s an update bonanza I tell ya’

 

[mattburley7]

3 hours but its probably not helping that my 2 homepods are also downloading updates at the same time

I dont remember having these slow download issues when we getting watchOS11 updates

 

[Nicky G]

I gotta say that the watchOS 26 workout app has been quite fine for me. I mostly just run, walk, yoga and strength training and the new UI is nice b

I’m glad they’ve made it easier to start a workout. I’ve found myself having to hunt for the hit zone of the play/start button more often than not.

 

[CharlesShaw]

3 hours but its probably not helping that my 2 homepods are also downloading updates at the same time

I dont remember having these slow download issues when we getting watchOS11 updates

My watch updates always take much longer than the other devices. Phone update first, then start the watch which might be finished by the time I update the iPad, ATV, and Mac, LOL. The only thing slower than updating the watch is downloading a new playlist.

 

[jdavid_rp]

emoji for a watch. why?

How else are they going to sell watches to teens? /s

They just need to keep up with emojis on all platforms that show them, remember that there is a messages app on it for example.

 

[SwampYankee0!]

Single tap to start workouts is a good fix but the entire workout app needs to be redone. Watch OS 26 was a big step backwards. Too fiddly, to many presses to navigate and the constant setting of split times if you dare to wear long sleeves on an outside run. Less is more with Watch OS so lets burn the workout app to the ground and start again from Watch OS 18

 

[macdaddy43]

fixes stutters in animations?.

Nope

 

[RvXtm]

After Watch update, i had to restart my phone to get Bluetooth connection back. iPhone was running 26.4 already, as i update it first.

 

[yanki01]

wrong area

 

[repoman016]

Apple convinces us to integrate the watch with our routines and then changes the interface after we've used it for years out in public while performing other activities. At least they listen to feedback and put things back, mostly. Eager to update this today.

SAME omg the new workout layout is abysmal and I cannot stand it. Why does it insist on taking me to a metric screen 4 days after I ended my last workout, when I'm just trying to start a new workout?Why is selecting a workout so damn difficult now and take precision aim with the wheel? Why is it draining my battery asking me to type in my apple ID password when I'm in the middle of a workout and my watch is WATER LOCKED

 

[svish]

Will update within a few days. Not a lot of changes but looks like it will be easier to start a workout which is good.

 

[bluecoast]

fixes stutters in animations?.

It definitely seems smoother for me on my Watch 9 45mm.

Hopefully the hidden features of 26.4 is a huge tranche of optimisations.

 

[lexvo]

Hmmm, I tried an update from my Watch. It downloaded 26.4 installer (saw it under Storage) but then nothing. Also no button to start the installation. Rebooted the Watch. Tried again. Then got a message "Your Watch is up to date". When I looked in Info I see it is still on 26.3 ☹️

 

[gymrat2k]

Hmmm, I tried an update from my Watch. It downloaded 26.4 installer (saw it under Storage) but then nothing. Also no button to start the installation. Rebooted the Watch. Tried again. Then got a message "Your Watch is up to date". When I looked in Info I see it is still on 26.3 ☹️

On Wi‑Fi, battery at 50% or more, and on the charger during installation?