Apple has released near-final versions of its upcoming software updates, known as Release Candidates. These represent the versions intended for public release, undergoing a final check by beta testers before reaching your devices.
The focus of this update cycle is watchOS 26.2, bringing refinements to the Apple Watch experience. While not a major overhaul like the initial watchOS 26, it delivers crucial improvements to existing features and introduces a new layer of safety.
One of the most significant changes centers around Sleep Score, a feature designed to provide a quick assessment of your nightly rest. It analyzes sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions to generate a score out of 100, helping you understand and improve your sleep habits.
Previously, the Sleep Score algorithm was criticized for being overly generous, potentially misleading users about the quality of their sleep. watchOS 26.2 addresses this by recalibrating the scoring metrics, offering a more accurate and conservative evaluation.
The revised scoring ranges are as follows: Very Low (0-40), Low (41-60), OK (61-80), High (81-95), and Very High (96-100). Apple also replaced the "Excellent" label with "Very High" for better consistency.
Users who rely on the Music app on their Apple Watch will be relieved to hear of a fix for a frustrating glitch. The update resolves an issue that prevented the app from progressing to the next song in a playlist.
Perhaps the most impactful addition is Enhanced Safety Alerts. This feature proactively warns you of potential dangers, including severe weather events and natural disasters, providing critical information and access to safety resources.
This builds upon Apple’s growing commitment to the Apple Watch as a comprehensive health and safety tool, complementing existing features like hypertension alerts, fall detection, and emergency SOS.
While a firm release date hasn’t been announced, the arrival of the Release Candidates suggests that watchOS 26.2, along with corresponding updates for iOS and macOS, are expected to roll out this month – barring any unforeseen issues discovered during final testing.
