Maya Robertson
Apple has announced a significant update for developers building apps for the Apple Watch ecosystem: starting in April 2026, all watchOS apps submitted to the App Store will be required to support 64-bit architecture and be built with the latest watchOS 26 SDK.
The update, shared yesterday in Apple’s official developer blog, marks another step in Apple’s gradual phase-out of legacy 32-bit code, aligning watchOS with the 64-bit standard that has long been mandatory for iOS, macOS, and iPadOS apps. According to the company, the move is designed to improve app performance, enable better use of newer hardware, and ensure compatibility with the latest features in watchOS.
To help developers meet this new requirement, Apple recommends using Xcode’s default build setting of “Standard architectures,” which automatically builds a single binary that includes 64-bit code. This approach streamlines the transition by avoiding the need for developers to manually adjust architecture settings for each project.
Apple is also encouraging developers to test their apps’ ARM64 compatibility in advance. Testing can be done using the Xcode Simulator as well as on real hardware, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — all running either watchOS 11 or the watchOS 26 beta.
The upcoming watchOS 26 SDK, which Apple previewed at WWDC 2025, brings new developer tools and APIs aimed at taking full advantage of modern Apple Silicon. By enforcing 64-bit-only support, Apple says developers can deliver more efficient, reliable, and future-proof apps for the growing Apple Watch user base.
Developers with older projects that still contain 32-bit components are advised to update their codebases promptly to avoid disruption when the April 2026 deadline arrives. Apple has published detailed guidance on preparing projects for 64-bit support in its developer documentation and Xcode resources.
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