Apple Watch Series 12 Launches with Rebuilt Siri AI

12 generations

What to know

Apple announced a rebuilt Siri for Apple Watch in watchOS 27, the next version of the watch software. It is designed for natural conversation, and it gets its own app on the watch.

It is a software update for many watches, not only Series 12, though MacRumors reported five older models will not get watchOS 27. Apple says the new Siri comes to developer testing in a later watchOS 27 beta and arrives in English later this year.

Mashable reported it will not be available in the EU.

What this is made of

Workout Buddy will run without your iPhone nearby
Apple says the phone no longer needs to be nearby. Its own footnote still requires a paired Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone and Bluetooth headphones or speakers, so this loosens the tether rather than removing it.
Right

How we know this

What changed, newest first.

OutcomeRightIt turned out as reported.

Sep 20, 20269to5MacOwners reported Siri on the watch refusing to set a timer, saying the Clock app was not installed.

Aug 26, 2026Tom's GuideApple has already confirmed that watchOS 27 supports the AI-powered Siri+2 outlets

Aug 21, 20269to5MacThe watch version is not a cut-down assistant

Aug 12, 20269to5MacwatchOS 27 adds a brand new Siri app as part of the overhaul

Aug 11, 2026MacRumorsSiri AI arrives in watchOS 27, but only with a supported iPhone paired

Show 18 more reportsShow fewer

Jul 28, 20269to5MacAdds a Siri app that carries a conversation from iPhone to watch+1 outlet

Jul 28, 2026WIREDA dynamic app grid fills itself with Siri suggestions

Jul 20, 2026MacRumorsThe fourth watchOS 27 beta lists it again

Jul 15, 20269to5MacAdds the chip upgrade is about what Siri needs next

Jul 15, 2026LifehackerAdds Siri on the wrist still needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone

Jul 14, 20269to5MacAdds Siri is the flagship feature of the whole release

Jul 14, 2026The Mac ObserverAdds new gestures and a shifting app grid ride along

Jul 13, 20269to5MacAdds it reached the public beta on July 13

Jul 13, 2026MacRumorsAdds your phone has to support it before your watch can

Jul 13, 2026AppleInsiderSiri AI arrives among about 50 changes in watchOS 27

Jul 13, 20269to5MacJeff and Fernando walk through the new Siri experience on the podcast

Jul 9, 20269to5MacBeta 3 adds a dedicated Siri app on the watch

Jul 7, 2026The Mac ObserverAdds two betas came and went without it

Jul 6, 2026MacRumorsAdds it arrived in the third beta, not the first

Jul 6, 2026AppleInsiderAdds series 9 or newer only, which rules out older watches

Jul 6, 20269to5MacAdds Siri now has its own app on the watch

Jun 8, 2026EngadgetSiri's AI upgrade comes to the wrist+10 outlets

Jun 8, 2026Tom's Guide+2 outlets

Reported

Frequently asked

What is new about Siri on the Series 12?

Siri runs on Apple Intelligence now, and Apple lists Siri AI as a beta in watchOS 27. That software reaches Apple Watch Series 9 and later on September 14, so the Series 12 is not the only watch getting it.

When does it arrive?

Apple says Siri AI comes in a later watchOS 27 update, in English, later this year.

Latest Apple Watch Series 12 news

Some Apple Watches run an hour fast on the Always-On screen after Europe's clock changeAndroid Headlines · Oct 26, 2026
Orangetheory members can use an Apple Watch in class for a one-time $999to5Mac · Oct 22, 2026
An Apple Watch can now pair with some Huawei phones in ChinaAndroid Headlines · Oct 13, 2026
Apple Watch Series 12 is slightly easier to repair, but iFixit still gives it a 4 out of 10MacRumors · Oct 7, 2026

All Apple Watch Series 12 news

Apple's rebuilt Siri will come to the wrist