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Your Apple Watch Is Getting a Simple Yet Important New Ability

With the next software update, Apple will bring a long-requested feature to the Apple Watch for the first time.

Apple WatchPhoto by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

By Tucker Bowe

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At next week’s WWDC 2025, Apple is set to unveil the next-generation operating systems that will be rolled out to all its various devices in the fall, including the Apple Watch.

watchOS 26 — which Apple is to make the big jump to, from the current watchOS 18, to better align with this current year — is expected to bring a big redesign to the Apple Watch.

But it’s also expected to deliver a long-requested ability that Apple Watch wearers have been asking for for years.

Control Center customizations

Apple Watch
watchOS 26 is expected to be supported on any Apple Watch Series 6 and newer.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

According to a report by 9to5Mac, when Apple reveals watchOS 26 next week, it also promises to bring the ability to access third-party apps directly from your Apple Watch’s Control Center.

Apple brought similar third-party app access to the iPhone’s Control Center this past fall, with iOS 18, but now it’s extending it to the Apple Watch, as well.

To date, when you access your Apple Watch’s Control Center — which you get to by pressing the side button on the right — you’ve only had access to Apple’s default toggles/shortcuts for doing things like turning on airplane mode, accessing your flashlight, or pinging your iPhone’s location.

Apple Watch
watchOS 26 is expected to be a major design overhaul.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

By giving access to third-party apps, it’ll allow you to customize your Apple Watch’s Control Center in new ways. (Note: you’ll be able to adjust and customize the Control Center via your Apple Watch app on your iPhone.)

9to5Mac‘s report doesn’t specify which third-party apps will be supported, but you can imagine that you’ll be able to launch music apps (like Spotify), workout apps (like Strava), food delivery apps or smart home apps. All right from the Control Center.

It’s admittedly a simple change, but it promises to give you the ability to make your Apple Watch better work for you. And that’s important.

Apple Watch comparison: Series 9 vs Series 10
We’ll have a better idea of all the new features coming to Apple Watch on Monday after the keynote.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

When’s it coming?

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place on Monday, June 9th, at which time it’s expected to reveal watchOS 26.

As is tradition, the next-gen software update won’t be officially rolled out to the masses until September, when Apple reveals its new devices.

So, unless you’re an early adopter who downloads the public betas, you’ll have to wait for these new Control Center features.

About the Author:

Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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