Apple is making Workout Buddy more independent in watchOS 27, allowing the Apple Intelligence-powered fitness feature to work from Apple Watch even when a user’s iPhone is not nearby.
The change should make Workout Buddy more useful for runners, cyclists and other users who prefer to exercise with only their Apple Watch rather than carrying an iPhone.
Apple says Workout Buddy will also draw on additional fitness information when generating motivational insights, giving its spoken guidance more context around the user’s activity.
Workout Buddy is expanding linguistically too, with support for both English and Spanish.
There are still some requirements when leaving the iPhone behind. Apple says using Workout Buddy without an iPhone nearby requires the Apple Watch to have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
The feature also requires a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and Bluetooth headphones, with the device and Siri language set to a supported language.
Workout Buddy is one of several fitness improvements Apple is introducing across its 2026 software updates. Apple is also expanding GymKit functionality so AirPods Pro 3 users can sync heart-rate information through an iPhone with compatible gym equipment such as treadmills and indoor bikes.
New machine-learning models are also designed to improve treadmill distance calculations from the first step of an indoor walk or run.
watchOS 27 will be released on Monday, September 14 for Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. A compatible iPhone running iOS 27 is required.