Since updating to WatchOS 26 I no longer receive any alerts (i.e. pace, heart rate zone and splits) - only beeps, no voice alerts. I do not use headphones/iphone while running. On previous watchOS this worked fine. Alerts are received in other exercises in the Workout app (e.g. Walking and Yoga). Series 6 watch. Yes it is old but it worked fine before the update.
Apple Watch Series 6
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:
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.
Thanks GeeZ06. None of my devices meet the workout buddy minimum requirements and frankly I don't want or need it. The watch was working fine prior to 26. Hopefully as discussed elsewhere, this is a bug and apple didn't intend to remove working Workout features and replace them with a new feature not available to older phones/watches. I would not have allowed the watch to update its os if apple had made it clear that I would loose functionality. Either way, sounds like you need to carry your phone at all times for the voice feedback to work or have a cellular watch with a cellular plan?
I have the same issue. Apple Watch series 8, no cellular. When I was close to my house, the Watch connected to my Wi-Fi and I heard one of the voiceover announcements otherwise It was only things for about half my run until they completely disappeared altogether🤷🏽♂️
I have the same problem with my Apple Watch Ultra. My alerts only vibrate. It's amazing how a team like this would release an update with such flaws, and the weirdest thing is that no one from support says anything. It seems like an amateur thing.
I agree very amateurish if this was intended. I raised it during the beta in feedback but no response. I called last week. They have raised a case and are apparently actively looking into it. Will pass on any info they provide
Starting to think this is not a bug but an intentional tactic to get users to upgrade to iphone 15 Pro or newer (why? so that Workout Buddy is possible and siri is speaking via the watch) or to upgrade to a watch with cellular capability (why? so that voice alerts are available).
I would add to this conversation - my iWatch 10 (used in Europe, Czech Republic) are not connected cellular to the mobile operator, but continuously connected with my iPhone13, however from update to iOS26 no voice feedback in ANY workout types. Neither techsupport by seller could help. All setups OK, by previous system version everything was working fine, voice alerts in line with setup. Not good impression, Apple.
I also have been dealing with announcement issues with my Shokz open fit air headphones since upgrading to watch iOS 26. The music doesn’t start automatically any more, and won’t shut off when I stop my workout like it did before. The announcements shut the music off instead of reducing the volume while the announcement sounds off, and the first part of the announcements are cut off so I can’t hear what mile I just hit or what ring I just closed. The volume of the announcements are super low, also. Frustratingly, I just purchased the AirPod Pro 3s and tested them on a run and they announced everything just fine, but I HATE the in-ear AirPods for workouts because they still fall out due to Apple’s stupid silicone ear tips and the weight balance of the AirPod pros so it seems Apple just doesn’t care about third party headphones even though they are usually better during workouts. I have an Apple Watch series 10 with cellular.
I have a call back booked for tomorrow with an Apple agent, concerning this problem. I too don’t wish to take my phone on runs and dearly miss the audible splits information, I would not have updated the software had I known this would happen.
I’ll post on here any new information on this issue. I do hope it’s a bug that will be fixed, I will get a Garmin if not.
I am still having the issue and it actually worsened after the 26.0.1 update. I still have no voice feedback during my workout but now when my playlist starts it plays one song and stops. Now I have to start my music, start my workout and when my watch vibrates stop to check my splits, then start my run back. Support gets me no where, this update has been a colossal PIMA! It worked just fine before the update, is apple going to buy me a new watch with cellular capabilities and then pay for the service just to get back a feature that was stolen from us. No they will not! I have turned in 4 tickets with support and they say they are working on the issue. I am not sure how much I trust that answer
Just finished talking to the Apple agent and no further forward. She wanted video evidence of the audible splits not working during running on the workout app without the iPhone present. I’m not sure how that is achievable, any ideas?
I feel your pain. The only reason for me having the watch is to be able to train without having my phone with me. Recording the run, play music and audible splits every km is all I needed. I know this is possible with Garmin and if this bug isn’t fixed that will be my solution.
I just received an email from apple support saying they were glad they were able to help. They included a link about calibrating your new watch. Walking outdoors for about 20mins or so!!!???
I seriously doubt the problem will be resolved any time soon.
I’m having same problems. Have to manually forward to next song. No voice alerts. Sometimes the haptic alerts work, sometimes not. iOS 26. Is a major train wreck. All the effort put into the Liquid Glass should have been put into functionality. I can’t believe this mess wasn’t detected in beta. And I can’t believe it’s taking so long for a fix. The Liquid Glass is annoying.
Does anybody know of a third party app that works as the previous version of workout did?
if anyone from Apple is reading this, please release the old version of the workout as an app you can download to your watch. You could call it classic workout, standalone workout or something along those lines.
I would happily pay for it. Please, please, please 🙏 26 for the watch has removed some pleasure and drastically increased frustration for runner’s training and NOT wanting to take their phone with them on every training run.
My (Wi-Fi only) series 7 watch battery is beginning to degrade, and now I’m seriously considering going to Garmin when I get my next watch. This is my second Apple Watch, and the reason I bought it in the first place was so that I could have music and get pace updates without the need to take a phone with me when I go for a run.
Does anyone know if there’s any other avenues to log this complaint? Or is the me too vote enough to get their attention? Or any other similar forum chats where I can add my vote too?
Taking a phone with me is not a ‘solution’. Paying a monthly fee for a cellular watch is not a ‘solution’. A Wi-Fi only watch only used to work, and still should.
[Edited by Moderator]
watchOS 26 no alerts in workout-running app
