watchOS 26 no alerts in workout-running app

I have a similar issue. Alerts are not voiced in ANY workout types (so not only running).

What I realized is that the alerts don’t work if the watch is offline, but will work if the watch is connected with the Internet. My watch is Wi-Fi only and I don’t take my phone on my runs, so it’s always offline during workouts.

The issue happens even if the watch disconnects mid workout. It’ll start playing alerts and stop as soon as the watch loses connection.

Here is how I was able to reproduce the problem and my devices:

• iPhone 14 Pro on iOS 26, turned off to eliminate any connection to the watch
• AirPods Pro 2, connected to the watch
• Apple Watch 8 on watchOS 26

• Connected the watch to my home Wi-Fi
• Started a workout (could be any, I tested on walking and running)
• Manually ended a segment
• Alert played normally, saying segment duration
• Turned off the watch’s Wi-Fi, as there is no phone connected, the watch is completely disconnected to the Internet
• Manually ended a segment
• Alert stopped working
• If Wi-Fi is turned back on, it starts working again immediately

As I said, my watch doesn’t have cellular connection and taking my phone with me is not a viable workaround.

I tried changing the settings mentioned in this thread to no avail.

I took my phone on a run today. I did what I usually do: started a previously downloaded playlist on Apple Music on the watch then started the workout, just took my phone with me without messing with it.

First segment ended, voice feedback triggered and it worked, BUT the song playing stopped completely (this is an issue reported by other people on reddit). I manually resumed playback.

Second segment ended, voice feedback played and the media playing didn't stop this time, just going down in volume as usual. BUT after the song ended the next one didn't play. This persisted the whole run, so I had to manually resume media playback after each track.

After running I started a walking workout to cooldown, took my phone out and started playing from Apple Music through the phone. With this setup I realized that voice feedback still worked and I didn't have issues with media playback. I'm not sure how other headphones would handle this, I have AirPods Pro 2.

I had this exact problem with media not playing on my very first run on watchOS 26 so it's probably not a one-off occurence.

TL;DR:

What I found the most reliable way to have voice feedback and consistent media playback on a wi-fi only watch:

• Take your phone with you, voice feedback only works if the watch is online;
• If you're on Apple Music and have AirPods, play music through your phone, not your watch. AirPods Pro should handle playing music from phone and voice feedback from watch simultaneosly;
• Start workout normally on your watch.

This release is really disappointing. I've been struggling with watchOS 26 for two weeks and now need a whole elaborate setup to do something that previously just worked. Apple was so focused on this phone / AI slop integration that they riddled watchOS with bugs.

TL;DR: On watchOS 26, my Series 8 only gives voice feedback if the watch is connected to Wi-Fi or paired with my iPhone. When the watch is completely offline (airplane mode, no phone, no Wi-Fi), it drops to ding sounds only. Looks like voice cues depend on either Wi-Fi or an iPhone connection, which wasn’t the case before. Hope these test provide clarity for someone so they don't have to test it themselves.

Summary

I ran controlled tests today to figure out when voice feedback works in workouts under watchOS 26. My setup: Apple Watch Series 8 no cellular, AirPods Pro, iPhone 16 (all on latest iOS/watchOS 26). Workout Buddy was off for all tests.

Test Method

• Chose a Yoga workout so I could test at home without moving.
• Configured the workout to give minute-by-minute notifications.
• Also set it to track Zone 2 heart rate.
• Repeated the test under four different connectivity conditions.

Results

1. Watch + iPhone (normal connection, Wi-Fi/cellular available)

• At the 1-minute mark, I received full verbal feedback: “You’ve completed one minute…”

2. Watch on Airplane Mode, iPhone powered off (no connectivity)

• At 2 minutes, I only heard a bell sound (no spoken announcement).

3. Watch connected to home Wi-Fi (no iPhone)

• At 3 minutes, voice feedback returned. It announced time and said my heart rate was below Zone 2

4. Watch + iPhone both on Airplane Mode (Bluetooth only, no Internet)

• At 4 minutes, voice feedback worked again.

Observations

• Voice feedback is not strictly dependent on Internet access.
• However, it seems linked to the watch being able to communicate with the iPhone, or at least to whether the watch has some kind of network/audio routing context.
• When the watch is isolated with no phone and no Wi-Fi, the cues drop to simple “dings.”
• The results are the same whether the output is Airpods Pro 2 or just out of the watch speaker.

Open Question

Is this behavior a bug in watchOS 26, or an intentional change to how audio cues are delivered when the watch is offline? Previously, I always received full voice alerts directly from the watch, even without iPhone/Wi-Fi.

I spoke with support this morning about downgrading my watch and phone back to 18. Since I do not have a back up prior to the 26 fiasco I cannot downgrade to 18. If you do then could solve your problem. He did me that 26 is designed to require an internet or phone connection for the voice feedback to function. He also stated that 26.1 should be out by the end of the week to fix any bugs or add back any removed features. I could not get a firm answer if the voice feedback would be a part of that update. The whole reason I bought a watch is so I did not have to carry a brick while I was running. Not cool Apple!!

I am having the same issues with an apple watch se gen 2(no cellular) and iphone 13. The point of having the watch is so I do not have to carry a phone while running. Support suggested I turn off "iphone mirroring" in the watch workout settings, so I did. I then tested it by shutting down all connectivity to watch and the phone, no cellular or wifi on the phone and no wifi on the watch. I started a workout and I had voice feedback. It was little glitchy at times but it worked. Tomorrow morning will be a test in a running environment as all my testing has taken place in my office.

Even if you turn off any kind of wireless connection (celullar, wi-fi, BT) your phone keeps connected to your watch somehow if it's nearby, you can check this in the watch's Control Center.

I tested your suggestion and voice feedback worked as long as the phone was turned on (even if phone and watch had all conectivity disabled, they kept connection). It stopped working as soon as I turned the phone off. That was regardless of how iPhone mirrorring was set up.

It looks like the watch isn't processing voice feedback locally. It needs to hand it off to something, either an iPhone (which itself could be offline) or the Internet.

I have been offered compensation from Apple but they have not clarified amount or type. It seems it will no longer work as pre 26 offline.

I found this,

Search Assist

In watchOS 26, voice alerts for workouts may not function if the Apple Watch is offline, as an active internet connection is required for these features to work. Users have reported that alerts work normally when the watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Apple Apple

Voice Alerts on Apple Watch with watchOS 26

Offline Functionality

With watchOS 26, voice alerts for workouts may not function properly when the Apple Watch is offline. Users have reported that alerts for pace, heart rate, and splits only work when the watch is connected to the internet. If the watch loses its connection during a workout, voice alerts stop, although visual notifications may still appear.

Workaround Options

• Use Wi-Fi: Ensure your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi before starting a workout. This connection is necessary for voice alerts to function.
• Take Your Phone: If possible, bring your iPhone along during workouts. This can help maintain a connection and allow voice alerts to work as intended.

VoiceOver and Live Speech Features

For users needing accessibility features, the Apple Watch includes VoiceOver and Live Speech options:

• VoiceOver: This feature reads out items on the screen and can be activated through the Settings app or by using Siri. It requires no internet connection to function.
• Live Speech: This allows users to type messages that are spoken aloud. It can be set up in the Accessibility settings and also does not require an internet connection.

Conclusion

To receive voice alerts during workouts on watchOS 26, maintaining an internet connection is essential.

I spoke with Apple and there are a few people reporting this issue. The lady did mention to call in, more people that bring it up the more attention it will get. She said you could reference "Voice feedback with workout app" and that search term is what she used to find the other tickets. I guess the good news is this is sounding to be more like a bug than a "feature"

I had this issue but with headphones. It may still be worth checking your watch settings.

Go to Settings > Siri > Siri Responses and first check Spoken responses is at either Always On or Control With Silent Mode (obviously make sure your watch isn’t in silent if this option is selected). Then check Siri Voice Volume is at a suitable level. For me placed the volume of my headphones to minimum.

Hope this helps, if not I hope you find a solution!

Having the same problem. I have iPhone 15. It was set up to announce a custom heart rate zone I want to maintain during my run. Sire gave me a voice announcement via my air pod pro. After iOS 26 didn’t work. Checked everything mentioned to troubleshoot, nothing worked. Started going thru every setting I could think of and stumbled on something that might work. Go to settings on the watch. Tap on notification. Scroll down to announce notifications. Make sure that is on. Then scroll down to the specific apps that you want notifications from. Turn on Activity. Haven’t tried it yet during my run, but mine was toggled off.

I can confirm. I went running at lunch and used a workout that prior wasn't functioning correctly without my phone and today with my phone worked as expected (minus needing to have my phone).

I left wondering a few things:

1. where is apple on this? Is this a "new feature" or a bug?
2. if a new feature what is the point of a non cellular phone then. With IOS 26 I can now start workouts on my phone. If I need to have my phone to get workouts to work correctly why have the watch?
3. I was thinking prior ios\watchos 26 to upgrade to a cellular watch but now I'm not wanting to if a feature used to work on a non cellular watch that now requires I pay a month data plan to get a feature back that used to work fine?

@Apple can someone please comment on this?

I think I fixed it. Now I'm hearing my running work out alerts being announced on my Apple Watch.

Will update again after interval's work out later.

Enable Siri on both your Apple Watch and iPhone

then turn on Workout Buddy.

Hello, just had a call with Apple Support. Seems that they are aware of the issue and are working on a fix. Guess the issue should be solved later in October.