Workout Buddy is the Apple Intelligence voice that talks you through a run or a strength session on Apple Watch, and watchOS 27 changes its biggest limitation. Apple’s press release says it now works without a nearby iPhone, over Wi-Fi or cellular, and adds Spanish to the English-only launch.
This guide covers what the feature needs, how to switch it on for a workout, how to mute it mid-session, and what changes when watchOS 27 arrives on Monday, September 14. The steps below come from Apple’s current Workout Buddy support guide, written for watchOS 26, which still requires an iPhone nearby. Apple’s watchOS 27 press release removes that requirement over Wi-Fi or cellular and adds Spanish, so the requirements screen may look different once the update ships on September 14.
What Workout Buddy needs, before and after watchOS 27
Apple’s current guide lists four requirements: an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby, Bluetooth headphones or speakers, the device and Siri language set to English, and a supported watch. The watchOS 27 update loosens the first and third of those.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
| Requirement | watchOS 26 (current guide) | watchOS 27 (Apple’s press release) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone nearby | Required, with Apple Intelligence enabled | Not required; works over Wi-Fi or cellular |
| Headphones | Bluetooth headphones or speakers | Bluetooth headphones or speakers |
| Language | English for device and Siri | English or Spanish |
| Watch | Supported Apple Watch | Series 9 and later, SE 3, Ultra 2 and later |
| Apple Intelligence | Paired iPhone must support it | Apple has not published whether a paired Apple Intelligence iPhone is still needed for setup |
Apple’s list of supported workouts covers outdoor and indoor runs, walks and cycles, hiking, elliptical, stair stepper, HIIT and strength training. Apple has not said whether watchOS 27 adds swimming or other types.
How to turn on Workout Buddy for a workout
- Put on your Bluetooth headphones and connect them to the watch.
- Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
- Choose a supported workout, such as Outdoor Run or Strength Training.
- Tap the alerts button on the workout card.
- Tap Workout Buddy, then turn it on.
- Choose a voice.
- Start the workout. Workout Buddy speaks at the start, at milestones and at the end.
The choice is per workout type, so turning it on for runs does not enable it for cycling. Repeat the alerts step for each activity you want narrated.
How to mute or stop it mid-workout
- During the workout, swipe right on the watch screen.
- Tap Mute. The workout keeps recording; only the voice stops.
- To turn it off for future sessions, go back to the alerts button for that workout and switch Workout Buddy off.
What changes on Series 12 and Ultra 4
Neither new watch changes the steps, but both add context the voice can draw on. Apple’s Series 12 press release describes heart rate readings every five seconds and a Readiness score built from activity, training load, vitals and sleep, and the Ultra 4 gets a Max Extended Workout mode with 45 hours of battery and one-second GPS intervals.
- Leaving the iPhone at home: the headline change. A cellular Series 12 or Ultra 4 can run Workout Buddy on its own, per Apple’s release.
- Spanish: added alongside English. Apple has not listed further languages.
- Older watches: watchOS 27 supports Series 9 and later, SE 3, and Ultra 2 and later, so the phone-free mode is not limited to the 2026 models.
- GymKit: separate from Workout Buddy, but iOS 27 lets AirPods Pro 3 sync heart rate with compatible gym equipment, useful for the indoor workouts on Apple’s list.
If Workout Buddy does not speak
- The option is missing from the alerts screen: the workout type is not on Apple’s supported list, or the paired iPhone does not support Apple Intelligence.
- It is on but silent: no Bluetooth headphones are connected. Apple’s guide requires headphones or a speaker; it does not play through the watch speaker.
- It stops when you leave the phone behind: on watchOS 26 the iPhone must be nearby. Update to watchOS 27 and make sure the watch has Wi-Fi or cellular.
- Wrong language: on watchOS 26 both the device and Siri must be set to English. watchOS 27 adds Spanish only.
- You want it quiet for one interval: swipe right and tap Mute rather than turning it off in alerts.
watchOS 27 is a free update on September 14; Series 12 and Ultra 4 follow in stores on Friday, September 18. Apple’s Series 12 launch details cover the rest of what the new health sensors add to a workout.
