Apple's latest updates, iOS 26 and watchOS 26, bring forth a fresh fitness tool named Workout Buddy. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, this addition offers verbal guidance and encouragement tailored to past performance during exercise sessions. By monitoring elements like speed, heartbeat, distance, and additional data points, it supplies immediate motivational comments and exercise analysis via linked Bluetooth earpieces. The system integrates with the Workout application on Apple Watch and can be managed partly via the Fitness application on iPhone. This overview explains the complete process for configuring and applying Workout Buddy to enhance your routines.
Keep in mind that Workout Buddy serves as an enhancement rather than a comprehensive training regimen. It delivers audio prompts that mirror the progress of your current activity. The tool can notify you about cumulative weekly achievements, highlight new records or key accomplishments, and furnish a wrap-up summary upon completion. Its intent is to mimic the presence of a helpful exercise companion instead of an authoritative instructor.
By default, the functionality supports English and employs a synthetic voice system modeled after instructors from Apple Fitness+. It accommodates select exercise categories, such as jogging, strolling, biking, high-intensity interval sessions, and weightlifting. To function, it demands local Apple Intelligence processing, requiring proximity to a recent iPhone model with the newest firmware active throughout your activities.
Compatible devices encompass the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 variants. Additionally, an Apple Watch operating watchOS 26 is necessary.
Prior to accessing Workout Buddy in the Fitness or Workout applications, verify several prerequisites. Your Apple Watch should run watchOS 26 or subsequent versions and be linked to an iPhone featuring iOS 26. The iPhone must support local Apple Intelligence, so it needs to be one of the specified models with the capability activated in its configurations.
Bluetooth earphones must be connected to either the iPhone or Apple Watch. Since Workout Buddy's sound output bypasses the Watch's built-in speaker, such accessories are mandatory. Furthermore, set your device's primary language to English for initial use. Without these elements, the activation choice might remain unavailable.
Although primary engagement with Workout Buddy occurs via Apple Watch amid exercises, activation and voice selection happen in the iPhone's Fitness app.
Launch the Fitness app on your iPhone and select the Workout section below. Browse the exercise categories to locate one intended for Workout Buddy use. Press the audio icon resembling a waveform next to it. This opens a menu to activate the feature. Switch on the control and pick from the voice selections. After choosing, exit the menu to store your preference. Initiating that exercise on the Apple Watch will then engage Workout Buddy automatically.
Setting up Workout Buddy for specific exercises via iPhone eliminates the need to enable it repeatedly on the Watch for those activities. Still, the Watch allows fine-tuned adjustments directly on the device.
For employing Workout Buddy in a session, access the Workout app on your Apple Watch. Rotate the Digital Crown to navigate and pick your desired activity, like Outdoor Run, Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, or Strength Training. To view more options, select the Add icon at the base.
With the activity chosen, find the Alerts option on the display. Select Alerts, then navigate to Workout Buddy. Choose it and activate the switch. If no voice was pre-picked on iPhone, select one now. Return to the prior view and press Start. Workout Buddy commences operation alongside the exercise.
As your routine begins on the Watch or iPhone, Workout Buddy delivers messages through attached earphones. The commentary aims to motivate and align with your speed, results, or achievements. It could reference advancement toward fitness targets, current splits, records, or notable stats from your health records. Upon finishing, it provides a recap including time elapsed, distance covered, and energy expended.
During an ongoing session, you can silence the audio temporarily for quiet moments. On the Apple Watch, swipe right to access controls and select Mute. This halts the verbal input without deactivating the overall function.
Workout Buddy activates individually for each exercise category. You can opt for audio support in running while disabling it for strength sessions, for instance. The iPhone Fitness app lets you assign voice defaults per type. On the Watch, toggling is straightforward before launching a routine.
Should Workout Buddy be absent for a given exercise, verify supported types. Apple's resources confirm initial availability for limited categories, with no display for incompatible ones.
Supported Apple Watch models include SE (2nd generation), SE 3, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3.
If activation issues arise, double-check device compliance with the stated criteria. Ensure the Apple Intelligence-equipped iPhone is close by and Bluetooth earphones are linked. For absent sound, confirm proper pairing and English language setting. Reports suggest that earphones connected solely to the Watch may disrupt delivery; linking to the iPhone typically fixes this.
For exercises where Workout Buddy functioned before but now vanishes, attempt deactivating and reactivating it in the Fitness app or restarting both gadgets. Occasionally, deleting and reinserting the exercise on the Apple Watch updates the configurations.