Apple is making it easier to handle notifications on the go with a new wrist flick gesture introduced in watchOS 26.
Available only on newer models like the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, this simple motion lets users quickly dismiss alerts without needing to tap the screen.
New Gesture in watchOS 26: Flick to Dismiss
In watchOS 26, if you raise your wrist to read a notification but don’t want to act on it, you can now just flick your wrist. Simply turning it away and back to dismiss it. This one-handed gesture also works to silence alarms and timers, ignore incoming calls, or go back to your watch face.
Apple is using a combination of the Apple Watch’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and machine learning to recognize this specific wrist motion. It’s a fast and subtle way to manage interruptions, especially during workouts, meetings, or when your other hand is busy.
Related: Does Your Apple Watch Support watchOS 26? Check Here
More Features Added to watchOS 26
Besides the flick gesture, watchOS 26 brings more upgrades to the Apple Watch experience:
- Liquid Glass UI: A new design style that feels smoother and more modern.
- Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence: Get personalized, AI-powered workout motivation with spoken encouragement tailored to your performance.
- Redesigned Workout App: A cleaner layout and music suggestions that match your activity type and music preferences.
- Live Translation in Messages: Real-time language translation directly within your watch’s Messages app.
Availability
Related: watchOS 26 Beta 1 Available: How to Install On Compatible Apple Watch
watchOS 26 is currently available in developer beta through the Apple Developer Program. A public beta will launch next month, and the full release is expected this fall.
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