Watch running / workout buddy

Question

Watch running / workout buddy

iPhone 14, watch SE OS 26.2. This new workout buddy is driving me nuts. I have tried to use it to create splits and alerts of times during running and have my running playlist auto starting which is a good addition. BUT, most times I get an announcement the music returns to the beginning of the playlist. I used to run with the watch only but have read that we now need to carry the phone for internet to help Siri. Most runs are in the woods where there is little signal anyway, but I do get these announcements. My last run was great as I used the C25K app and switched off the watch!

I would rather just use my watch and leave my phone in the car. If I have to carry my phone I want it to work properly, so has anyone got any fixes, or alternatively any good 3rd party running apps that can help motivate my running?

Apple Watch SE 3

Posted on Jan 5, 2026 6:42 AM

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Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,265 points

Jan 6, 2026 2:32 AM in response to Graeme2Stoves

If you don't want to use Workout Buddy, you can disable this feature in the Alert settings (bell icon) for each workout on the watch, as explained in the article above.

Then make sure that you have enabled the rest of the workout notifications as needed.

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,265 points

Jan 5, 2026 8:51 AM in response to Graeme2Stoves

Sorry, but your iPhone has to have Apple Intelligence installed, to support Workout Buddy.

Only an iPhone 15 or newer can do that.

...

You can use Workout Buddy with the following workout types:

Outdoor and Indoor Run

Outdoor and Indoor Walk

Outdoor and Indoor Cycle

Hiking

Elliptical

Stair Stepper

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Functional and Traditional Strength Training

Note: Workout Buddy is available on supported models when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby and Bluetooth® headphones with device and Siri language set to English. Apple Intelligence is available in beta. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see the Apple Support article How to get Apple Intelligence.

...

copied from: Use Workout Buddy in Workout on Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2026 1:03 AM in response to Ingo2711

So.. the watch can have upgrade to OS26 but then won't work because the phone is too old?

Therefore I shouldn't have "upgraded" the watch. Can I put it back to a previous os that used to work?

Or remove workout buddy?

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