watchOS 26 Full arm64 Architecture: What It Means for Your Apple Watch
Apple has officially pushed a major architectural upgrade with watchOS 26, bringing full arm64 architecture to the latest Apple Watch models. This means Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will now operate on the same 64-bit instruction set used by iPhone, iPad, and Mac, marking a major leap in computing power, app flexibility, and developer alignment across Apple platforms. Many Apple Watch users are asking what this shift to watchOS 26 full arm64 architecture really means—and whether it will impact older models or app compatibility. This blog post covers everything you need to know in a simple, helpful, and easy-to-digest format.
What Is arm64 and How Is It Different from arm64_32?
For years, Apple Watch ran on a unique hybrid architecture called arm64_32, designed to bridge the gap between performance and memory efficiency in a small form factor. This system used 64-bit instructions but maintained 32-bit pointers to conserve RAM—perfect for wearables with limited memory.
The new watchOS 26 full arm64 architecture ditches that compromise. It brings standard 64-bit computing to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2. This transition isn't just a technical rework—it unlocks a whole new level of performance. With full arm64 support, Apple Watches gain broader memory access, enhanced processing capability, and a more seamless experience when running complex or resource-heavy apps.
From a developer standpoint, the move aligns Apple Watch development with the rest of Apple’s ecosystem. That means shared tools, better compatibility with Swift and third-party libraries, and reduced overhead in managing different architectures across platforms. It’s a win-win for both app creators and end users.
How Developers Are Affected by watchOS 26 Full arm64 Architecture
Apple broke the news in its official “What’s new in watchOS 26” session for developers, emphasizing that while newer models adopt full arm64, several devices—including the Apple Watch Series 8 and SE (2nd Gen)—still run on the older arm64_32 architecture.
What this means for app development is a new layer of consideration: developers must now ensure their watchOS apps are compiled to support both arm64 and arm64_32 instruction sets. Fortunately, Xcode 16 handles this automatically when proper deployment targets and architecture settings are configured. Developers who fail to update their apps may still reach users via backward-compatible binary layers, but Apple strongly recommends recompiling for full arm64 to take advantage of better performance and future-proofing.
This dual support approach mirrors how Apple handled transitions in macOS (Intel to ARM) and iOS (32-bit to 64-bit). Over time, support for arm64_32 is expected to phase out, especially as newer models dominate the market and legacy hardware fades into obsolescence.
What Does This Mean for Apple Watch Users?
For end users, the move to watchOS 26 full arm64 architecture brings noticeable performance upgrades in day-to-day use. Apps can now access more RAM and use more registers, making multitasking smoother and potentially extending battery life by optimizing system-level operations.
Expect richer apps with deeper features, such as more powerful health tracking, enhanced animations, and AI-driven insights—things previously bottlenecked by the arm64_32 limitations. The transition also tightens integration between watchOS, iOS, and macOS, creating a more unified Apple ecosystem experience.
Older devices won’t be left in the dust, though. The compatibility layer ensures your Series 8 or SE watch can still run apps built for newer models, at least for the time being. However, expect developers to gradually prioritize full arm64 going forward, meaning newer apps and updates may become exclusive to Series 9 and later.
The Bigger Picture: Why Apple Made the Switch in watchOS 26
Apple's shift to full arm64 architecture on newer Apple Watch models signals its commitment to turning the Apple Watch into a more powerful computing device—not just a fitness tracker or notification hub. As Apple leans more heavily into on-device intelligence, privacy-preserving features, and extended health functionality, it needs a solid technical foundation.
The move also reduces fragmentation across the Apple platform. With full arm64 running on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and now Apple Watch, the development process becomes easier and more scalable. It also aligns with Apple’s larger ARM-first strategy, which has powered the meteoric success of Apple Silicon chips like the M1, M2, and beyond.
Finally, this transition sets the stage for future Apple Watch advancements, including rumored AI features, independent app experiences, and even potential XR integrations with Apple Vision Pro. With full arm64, the latest Apple Watches are now ready to meet the demands of modern users and developers alike.
Should You Upgrade Your Apple Watch?
If you own a Series 8 or older Apple Watch, you’re still covered—for now. But if you’re eyeing a watch upgrade in 2025 or beyond, opting for a model that supports the watchOS 26 full arm64 architecture ensures you’re getting the best performance, longest support window, and access to next-gen apps.
For developers, this is a key inflection point: the sooner you migrate your projects to support arm64, the smoother your app experiences will be for users on newer watches. The watchOS platform is growing up fast—and full arm64 is its new backbone.
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