Whereas watchOS 26 was launched at WWDC 2025 with a contemporary look and new options, some additions did not get any mentions. As extra builders set up the primary developer beta and undergo the tons of documentation for creating new app experiences round it, there are at all times some new options revealed within the course of. The Apple Watch’s Management Heart characteristic, accessible by urgent the aspect button (beneath the Digital Crown), solely reveals a set variety of choices like Wi-Fi, Silent mode, Do Not Disturb and some others. That adjustments with watchOS 26, which is able to deliver Customized Controls for the Management Heart, similar to it really works on an iPhone.
As noticed by MacRumours, Apple’s present watchOS 26 developer beta is including help for Customized Controls like it really works on an iPhone or iPad. Whereas Apple did point out it within the press launch, we’re solely now seeing the way it’ll work. watchOS 26 beta provides a brand new Customized Controls API letting builders add, make and put together their very own customisable buttons or toggles to Management Heart, which till now was a really inflexible interface with preset choices.
The addition of Customized Controls will let customers modify their Management Panel’s interface to their liking. It is going to additionally let Apple Watch Extremely customers assign customized controls to its Motion Button. Builders may also push their app-specific customized controls to the Sensible Stack as properly, which is able to make them extra accessible and helpful.
The interface as per the developer page, appears to be like similar to the outdated one (with the inclusion of the Liquid Glass theme) however will now have some new management choices or buttons exhibiting up in customisation. The controls must be constructed utilizing WidgetKit and can mainly let customers entry in-app controls with out opening their apps and even open their apps to a particular view or web page like on iPhone.
Apple offers sufficient customisation for builders right here by letting them add their customized image, tint for the button in Management Heart and titles and labels in Sensible Stack widgets.
Customers may even add a Customized Management from their iPhone to their Apple Watch with out the necessity to set up the watchOS app domestically on their watch. Nonetheless, this solely works if the app from the developer/service is put in on their iPhone. It additionally lets customers save house on their Apple Watch’s native storage. For the reason that app will not be saved on the Apple Watch, the motion can be carried out by the iPhone app.
Apple’s watchOS 26 additionally brings a number of new options introduced at WWDC 2025, which you’ll be able to read about here.