Workout voice feedback not working offline since watchOS 26 (Apple Watch SE 2 - GPS)

Question

Workout voice feedback not working offline since watchOS 26 (Apple Watch SE 2 - GPS)

Hi everyone,

Since updating my Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS) to watchOS 26 (today 26.1) I’ve noticed that the workout voice feedback (pace, distance, heart rate, etc.) no longer works when running offline — something that used to work perfectly before this update.

After several tests, here’s what I’ve found:

No Internet + No iPhone: No voice feedback at all.

Wi-Fi or Cellular Internet (but no iPhone): Some feedback works, but inconsistently.

With iPhone connected: Everything works fine, all voice notifications are back.

This issue seems to have started only from watchOS 26 onward — on previous versions, the feature worked normally even without the iPhone.

I’ve already contacted Apple Support, but the responses didn’t really address the problem. I’m now wondering if this is a bug introduced in watchOS 26 or if Apple has intentionally changed how offline notifications work, limiting them to connected or cellular models.

Has anyone with a Cellular Apple Watch (or newer models like Series 9, 10, or 11) experienced the same issue?

Or are those models still getting full workout voice feedback while running without their iPhone?

Any info or confirmation from other users would really help to clarify if this affects only GPS models or all watches.

Thanks in advance! 🙂‍↕️

Apple Watch SE

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 9:18 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 9, 2025 5:11 AM in response to Ignacio_mivil

watchOS 26 no alerts in workout-running a… - Apple Community

Apple support confirmed that this is an intentional change - you either need an active internet connection (ie carry phone on a workout) or download voice files and use earbuds. Probably Apple only earbuds.

After two attempts I got the software down graded to os11 and now working as it should. Frankly os11 works better than os26 on series 6 gps only

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Answer 2

Nov 4, 2025 11:55 AM in response to Ignacio_mivil

I'm also having this issue! Very frustrating. GPS only Watch 8, here.

With os25, I would not get workout notifications if I had my phone with me. However, running with my watch and AirPods only, it worked perfectly.
Now, after os26, it's exactly the opposite: I get notifications only if I have my phone with me. Very frustrating.

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

99,703 points

Dec 9, 2025 5:20 AM in response to matthewfromteneriffe

matthewfromteneriffe wrote:

watchOS 26 no alerts in workout-running a… - Apple Community

Apple support confirmed that this is an intentional change - you either need an active internet connection (ie carry phone on a workout) or download voice files and use earbuds. Probably Apple only earbuds.

After two attempts I got the software down graded to os11 and now working as it should. Frankly os11 works better than os26 on series 6 gps only

it is impossible to legally downgrade to OS11 unless Apple does it. What on earth have you installed?.Jailbreak maybe?.

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Answer 4

Dec 9, 2025 11:21 PM in response to LD150

it is impossible to legally downgrade to OS11 unless Apple does it. What on earth have you installed?.Jailbreak maybe?.

It was "legally" through apple though in Australia it is not illegal to jailbreak devices as you own the device. May void warranty/contractual terms but that does not make it illegal! I am way past any minuscule warranty apple provides so if I knew how to jailbreak a watch I would so I can remove the constant nagging to upgrade to 26.X and stop my iPhone from constantly downloading the update file, even though autoupdate and download update files is switched off.

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