Apple Watch to Gain Enhanced Control Center with Third-Party Integration in WatchOS 26

WatchOS 26 Brings Major Upgrades to Apple Watch

Apple unveiled the highly anticipated watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, promising a wave of new features and refinements for its popular wearable. The latest operating system introduces a refreshed interface, brings native Apple Notes to your wrist, and enhances the Workout app. However, one of the standout advancements is the significant overhaul of the Apple Watch Control Center.

Third-Party Controls Arrive on Apple Watch

With watchOS 26, users will finally be able to customize their Control Center with third-party controls, a capability that first appeared last year on iOS and iPadOS. This long-awaited improvement means you can add shortcuts and functionalities from your favorite third-party apps directly to your Apple Watch. As more app developers get on board, expect a growing ecosystem of custom controls specifically designed for the watch experience.

Seamless Integration with iPhone Controls

Taking convenience a step further, watchOS 26 enables your Apple Watch to access third-party controls from your iPhone, even if the watch version of the app doesn’t offer its own controls yet. This cross-device integration blurs the lines between Apple devices, enhancing workflow flexibility and creating a more unified Apple ecosystem.

Advantages and Market Impact

The introduction of third-party controls positions the Apple Watch as an even more powerful tool for productivity, health, and everyday convenience. With the official launch set for this fall, users can look forward to a smarter, more customizable wearable tailored to their daily needs. For app developers and technology professionals, this expanded toolkit opens up innovative new use cases, driving greater value for both users and the broader Apple ecosystem.