Apple's annual (free) Apple Watch software refresh has landed in watchOS 26. If you bought an Apple Watch in the past five years, you're likely eligible for the upgrade. Having just updated my own Apple Watch, I'll walk you through the steps to getting watchOS 26 up and running on your wearable.

All in, the installation took me about an hour from start to finish, but your mileage may vary.

What makes watchOS 26 so exciting? From an updated "Liquid Glass" interface design to personalized, AI-powered workout tools and the inclusion of Apple's Notes app (finally), there are lots of watchOS 26 features worth checking out.

Which Apple Watch models are eligible for watchOS 26?

But first, is your Apple Watch watchOS 26 eligible? Below are the models that can be upgraded to the latest Apple Wa

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