iOS 26 feature lets iPhone trigger Apple Watch workouts
You no longer need to raise your wrist to start a workout. With iOS 26, Apple has enabled the ability to launch workouts for Apple Watch directly from the iPhone.
The new feature works through the Fitness app
This option is now available to users running iOS 26 and the latest version of watchOS. When opening the Fitness app on an iPhone, selecting a workout and tapping start now pushes the session to the Apple Watch automatically. If the watch is nearby and unlocked, the workout will launch in sync and display all expected metrics on the watch face.
The iPhone shows a confirmation screen during the process that reads “Starting on Apple Watch.” Once active, the watch begins tracking time, distance, calories and other workout data as usual. The timer and pause buttons remain accessible on both devices during the session.
For users who already carry their phone during workouts, this change adds a second control point. It can reduce the number of interactions needed with the watch, particularly in situations where the screen is covered or the watch is hard to reach.
Useful for cyclists, winter workouts and cracked screens
Most people probably don’t think much about how they start a workout, but this update is actually useful in quite a few situations. Cyclists with phones mounted on their handlebars can now kick things off right from the screen without having to take a hand off or mess around with gloves. If it’s cold out, you don’t need to wrestle with sleeves or pull off a glove just to get going.
It also helps if your watch screen is cracked or your case messes with touch accuracy. In those cases, using the iPhone is just easier and more reliable. You don’t have to tap five times and hope it works. Just start the workout and move on.
In some setups, users might not be wearing the watch at all. With AirPods Pro 3 or a supported chest strap, heart rate data can be collected directly by the iPhone. That makes it possible to run or cycle without a watch while still capturing core metrics. The data is saved within the Fitness app just like any other session.
This also ties in well with Apple’s Shortcuts app. You could build a routine that triggers the workout automatically when you arrive at the gym, launch your playlist, and display your check-in barcode on screen.
A useful feature
This isn’t some big new app or workout mode. But it does make things easier for people who train often. The Apple Watch still does the tracking, but letting the iPhone handle the start gives you more flexibility. It’s handy for outdoor workouts, cold weather or those times when tapping the watch just isn’t practical.
If you usually bring your phone along on runs, rides or gym sessions, this makes the whole process a bit more seamless. It also keeps both your watch and phone in sync without needing to think about it.
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