Since updating to WatchOS 26 I no longer receive any alerts (i.e. pace, heart rate zone and splits) - only beeps, no voice alerts. I do not use headphones/iphone while running. On previous watchOS this worked fine. Alerts are received in other exercises in the Workout app (e.g. Walking and Yoga). Series 6 watch. Yes it is old but it worked fine before the update.
Apple Watch Series 6
alexskunz wrote:
…The Watch with OS26 doesn't speak when it isn't connected to an iPhone. The interesting thing is that the iPhone does NOT need to have a network connection — I had mine in my pocket, in airplane mode, and the Watch still gave me Voice Feedback. This is in line with the observations from MajorLeagueSoccer that their Watch with "cellular" doesn't actually have a cellular connection, but does provide Voice Feedback as well….
I want to confirm and add a little to this. I’ve tried most of the other proposed solution here with zero success. In short: If I run with just the watch, I get no Voice Feedback from the Workout app. If I take my iPhone with me on the run, I get Voice Feedback. I have a S6 Cellular watch and have never activated cellular service. So the bug exists on Cellular devices too.
I’m using an Series 6 Stainless Cellular watch, AirPods Pro 2 and an iPhone 15 Pro Max. All have current software levels.
Today, based on alexskunz‘s post I took the phone, but shut off Cellular Data. I had not tried this before. The watch and phone were connected with Bluetooth. This time, Voice Feedback worked like a charm.
I’ll write this up in a feedback post. Hopefully Apple will fix this.
trail-runner wrote:
Wanted to let folks know that I was able to test an Apple Watch SE 3 Cellular a couple days ago and it worked fine for voice feedback. I then tested an Apple Watch SE 3 GPS-only and was not able to get voice feedback to work.
At least with my experimenting, it seems that voice feedback continues to function properly when using an Apple Watch with cellular, regardless if the cellular is connected. This is in line with what Apple support told me. I would be happy to share the settings I am using as it seems that others with cellular watches are still experiencing no voice feedback.
THanks fpr confirmation but that fact was established back in September. Gps-only watches will record workouts in the absence of an iPhone but not voice feedback.
I can't imagine going for a run or bike ride without a means to call for an ambulance, maybe it's my age. IPhones can easily be carried in a Spibelt waist band or armband or similar
I spoke with Apple and there are a few people reporting this issue. The lady did mention to call in, more people that bring it up the more attention it will get. She said you could reference "Voice feedback with workout app" and that search term is what she used to find the other tickets. I guess the good news is this is sounding to be more like a bug than a "feature"
I was able to get around this issue by downloading the WorkOutDoors app. It is only $10, but brought back voice feedback without cellular connection needed as well as a ton of other customization and data collection tools that were previously available for workouts in the fitness app
Wanted to let folks know that I was able to test an Apple Watch SE 3 Cellular a couple days ago and it worked fine for voice feedback. I then tested an Apple Watch SE 3 GPS-only and was not able to get voice feedback to work.
At least with my experimenting, it seems that voice feedback continues to function properly when using an Apple Watch with cellular, regardless if the cellular is connected. This is in line with what Apple support told me. I would be happy to share the settings I am using as it seems that others with cellular watches are still experiencing no voice feedback.
So, it definitely works now for me as well after the 26.4 update. Is this Apple tacitly admitting this was a bug? Earlier in the threads it sounded like upper level support reps were trying to cast this as an intentional decision which was not going to be reversed, but then it was, with no explicit mention in the update other than "and other bug fixes." Anyone else feel like Apple was trying to gaslight us a little bit? Regardless, I guess I'm glad it works now, but I had very nearly purchased something else in the meantime! Glad I was reluctant to pull the trigger.
I’m not sure why you’re getting this stupid account verification notification while running, but I think I have a fix for the Voice alerts.
Instead of using the normal workout app, I downloaded the app WorkOutDoors. It is $10 USD, and brings back voice alerts without a need for an Internet connection. It’s fully customizable and honestly way better app than the current watchOS workout app. It’s a 1 time payment, no subscription , and has way worth the $10.
I had this issue but with headphones. It may still be worth checking your watch settings.
Go to Settings > Siri > Siri Responses and first check Spoken responses is at either Always On or Control With Silent Mode (obviously make sure your watch isn’t in silent if this option is selected). Then check Siri Voice Volume is at a suitable level. For me placed the volume of my headphones to minimum.
Hope this helps, if not I hope you find a solution!
Having the same problem. I have iPhone 15. It was set up to announce a custom heart rate zone I want to maintain during my run. Sire gave me a voice announcement via my air pod pro. After iOS 26 didn’t work. Checked everything mentioned to troubleshoot, nothing worked. Started going thru every setting I could think of and stumbled on something that might work. Go to settings on the watch. Tap on notification. Scroll down to announce notifications. Make sure that is on. Then scroll down to the specific apps that you want notifications from. Turn on Activity. Haven’t tried it yet during my run, but mine was toggled off.
I have the first get Ultra and do not have an active cellular plan on my watch. I do not get voice alerts on my runs when my phone is not with me. I have it set to give me my splits every .25 miles. Ive meticulously gone through all the notifications and Siri settings on my watch and phone and have tried all sorts of different settings with no luck.
With WatchOS26 I would get the voice alerts but it would pause the music. With WatchOS26.1 and forward it stopped providing voice alerts no matter my settings.
WatchOS26 also introduced another bug that my playlists would randomly stop playing and I would have to manually hit play for the next song. Only a reboot would fix this temporarily.
I recently started using the Nike App and it provides voice alerts. Unfortunately, it does not show any of the metrics that the native workout app does like; elevation, power, cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, or stride length.
I was going to by the WorkOutDoors app because I read that it does provide those metrics but I haven't found confirmation that they will get imported into the fitness app summary.
TLDR; I have an Ultra without an active cellular connection and I do NOT get audio alerts without my phone close by.
I downloaded an app called WorkOutDoors for $10. It is much better than the current Fitness app through watchOS and Is very worth the $10. This is the only workaround I’ve been able to find on watchOS 26 to bring back voice alert alerts without an iPhone or cellular connection.
Wanted to let everyone know that I'm also now getting voice alerts with my Series 8 GPS watch so something must have been updated with the 26.4 watchOS update! Glad to hear it's now working for others too.
Poske wrote:
alexskunz wrote:
I can confirm that things work as expected again with my GPS-only SE2 as well after installing watchOS 26.4
We took a walk and I left the phone at home. The Watch announced the splits via its own speakers.
I went for a run, played music through my AirPods, and the Watch reduced the music's volume, and announced the splits.
The annoying "Apple Account Verification" didn't pop up either when I was miles away from my phone.
Not sure if the playlist problem is fixed also, today I was listening to a continuous DJ mix (single file) while running.
Glad it took only about half a year to fix this... /s
Alex.
I tested this too this weekend and the problem has indeed been fixed on my GPS-only Apple Watch with watchOS 26.4.
I am going to try and stick with watchos11 as long as I can. Though, since the phone automatically installed iOS26.4, the watch has stopped receiving notifications (weather doesn't even work), no calls or messages on the watch, and constant popups on the phone telling me if I have to upgrade the watch to 26 if I want to manage settings on it.
Fortunately I have an old phone with os18 on it so paired with that.
The unresponsive parts of the screen, and multiple taps that used to take 1, and you need pinpoint accuracy to start the right workout. must have been designed by someone who sits in a chair all day coding or gaming LOL. Personally I have read that 26.4 doesn't resolve the issue for everyone.
[Edited by Moderator]
I can confirm. I went running at lunch and used a workout that prior wasn't functioning correctly without my phone and today with my phone worked as expected (minus needing to have my phone).
I left wondering a few things:
@Apple can someone please comment on this?
I think I fixed it. Now I'm hearing my running work out alerts being announced on my Apple Watch.
Will update again after interval's work out later.
Enable Siri on both your Apple Watch and iPhone
then turn on Workout Buddy.
Personally, I found a workaround. Like many others, I had completely lost the audio alerts, time, and pace per kilometer notifications with my Shoks headphones.
On my iPhone, I went to Settings / Siri / Announce Notifications / APP / Watch / Announce / All Notifications.
My setting was on "Urgent Notifications."
I got the audio alerts back! However, the music pauses and resumes after the announcement.
It works both with and without the phone connected; I tested it.
watchOS 26 no alerts in workout-running app
