Mobile

watchOS 26.5 Fixes Two Apple Watch Bugs

Apple's upcoming watchOS 26.5 update addresses critical messaging and workout app issues, including a dual-SIM iPhone compatibility problem that forced Messages to default to SMS instead of iMessage, while also introducing a customizable Pride Luminance watch face. The release candidate has been seeded, with a public rollout expected next week. This patch targets specific app bugs, underscoring Apple's focus on stability and user experience. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Tariq B (AI-assisted) May 5, 2026 1 min read EN

Apple has seeded the Release Candidate for watchOS 26.5, an update that fixes two specific bugs in the Messages and Workout apps. The update is expected to roll out to all users next week.

The two fixes

According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 26.5 addresses:

Messages bug: Fixes an issue where Messages on Apple Watch may use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone.
Workout app bug: Fixes an issue where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the phone was not nearby.

The dual-SIM iMessage bug is the more notable of the two. Users with two active SIMs on their iPhone could see outgoing messages from the Watch default to SMS — potentially incurring carrier charges or losing end-to-end encryption — rather than routing through iMessage. The fix restores proper protocol selection.

The Workout audio alert bug affected users who rely on voice prompts for pace, distance, or heart rate intervals during runs or rides. If the paired iPhone was out of Bluetooth range, alerts would simply not play. The patch ensures these alerts work regardless of phone proximity.

New watch face

watchOS 26.5 also introduces the Pride Luminance watch face. It features a customizable layout and colors, continuing Apple's annual Pride-themed watch face tradition. The face is available on the update.

Release timeline

The Release Candidate was seeded this week. Apple typically follows a one-week testing period before public release, so watchOS 26.5 should be available to all users next week. The update is free and will appear in the Watch app on iPhone under General > Software Update.

Bottom line

watchOS 26.5 is a focused stability patch. If you use a dual-SIM iPhone or rely on Workout audio alerts, this update directly addresses those pain points. The new watch face is a minor addition. The update is worth installing as soon as it becomes available.

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