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watchOS 26 Adding a Smaller Yet Useful New Watch Face Setting

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watchOS 26 is adding a new "Show Data When Locked" setting to the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications
MacRumors contributor Steve Moser discovered the new setting within the code for the first watchOS 26 beta, and a Reddit user has seemingly found it in action, but we have yet to figure out where it is exactly. Leave a comment if you know.

The new privacy setting allows you to toggle on or off the ability to view data in the little "complications" that appear on select watch faces.

There is one exception: Apple says data from the Health app will never be visible in complications when an Apple Watch is locked, regardless of the toggle's position.

This is one of the many smaller but useful quality-of-life improvements in watchOS 26 that Apple did not announce during its WWDC 2025 keynote.

watchOS 26 will likely be released in September.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

F
FlashBIOS
9 months ago

Modular Ultra, I believe!
Bah (but thank you)! And just for the Ultra. I hope 26 brings something similar to the table for the other watches.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
munpip214
9 months ago

There is one exception: Apple says data from the Health app will never be visible in complications when an Apple Watch is locked, regardless of the toggle's position.
I get where they are coming from, but at the same time I really don’t care if someone sees how many calories I burned so far today. I would much rather be able to see it regardless of if I’ve unlocked. If they’ve got the setting, then just let us use it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
9 months ago
My watch is always unlocked when I wear it, so how many instances are there with folks wearing their watch locked?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
Joe Rossignol
9 months ago

Oooh, that watch face. Is it one that I've missed? Or is it coming in watchOS 26?
Modular Ultra, I believe!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
svish
9 months ago
Nice to see this change. Very small but indeed it will be useful. Looking forward to trying it out later this year once I update my Series 10.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FSMBP Avatar
FSMBP
9 months ago

My watch is always unlocked when I wear it, so how many instances are there with folks wearing their watch locked?
I didn't see where it said when the user is wearing it...When I take off my watch for a quick shower/bath, it would be nice to see the info when it's off.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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