Apple has supercharged the Control Center in watchOS 26, giving you greater flexibility than ever. You can now reorganize controls, add third-party widgets, and quickly undo changes if needed—making your Apple Watch truly yours.
What’s New in watchOS 26 Control Center
The familiar quick-access tools remain: turn on the flashlight, toggle Low Power Mode, or ping your misplaced iPhone. But the real game-changer is deep customization and third-party support.
Third-Party Controls: Thanks to Apple’s new Control Widget API, developers can create custom controls for the Control Center—even if their iOS app doesn’t have a companion watchOS app.
Seamless iPhone Integration: These controls let you trigger actions directly on your paired iPhone from your wrist. For example, a control could lock your car or start a playlist, all with a tap.
More Power at Your Fingertips: On the Apple Watch Ultra models, assign these custom controls to the Action button or add them to your Smart Stack for quicker access.
Developer adoption is still ramping up, so expect more creative controls from your favorite apps soon.
How to Edit Control Center
Customizing your Control Center is simple:
Open Control Center: Press the side button on your Apple Watch.
Edit Layout: Scroll to the bottom and tap ‘Edit.’
Add or Rearrange Controls: Explore the new ‘Suggested’ section for quick picks at the top, and look for ‘From Your iPhone’ at the bottom to find compatible third-party controls powered by the Control Widget API.
Remove Controls: Tap the minus icon to remove items you don’t use.
Remember, only apps with Control Widget API integration will appear, so update your favorite apps for more options.
How to Undo Your Customizations
If you want to reset and start fresh:
On your Apple Watch:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap ‘Control Center.’
- Select ‘Reset Control Center Layout.’
On your iPhone:
- Open the Watch app.
- Tap ‘My Watch.’
- Go to ‘Control Center.’
- Tap ‘Reset Control Center.’
Final Thoughts
watchOS 26’s enhanced Control Center puts you in control, blending Apple’s familiar simplicity with powerful new customization. Upgrade today for a more personalized Apple Watch experience.
