The Apple Watch has always been the perfect companion for sports and fitness enthusiasts, but the recent watchOS 26 update seems to have turned the tables. Instead of making the workout experience smoother, thousands of users are now complaining that the Workout app has become confusing, difficult to use, and incredibly frustrating. In this article, we'll explore in detail why users see this update as a "step backward," what the biggest problems are with the new design, and whether there are any temporary solutions.
Radical changes... but were they for the better?
When Apple launched watchOS 26 last September, it introduced a completely new design for the workout app.
In previous versions such as watchOS 11, the interface was based on large, clear squares, and the type of exercise could be easily tapped to start the exercise immediately.
In the new design, Apple replaced these large squares with a vertical scrolling interface featuring small buttons in the corners of the screen. Now, to start any workout, you first select the type of exercise, wait for a short animation, and then tap a small Play button that appears in the corner. This seemingly minor change, in the eyes of the designers, has had a disastrous impact on the actual user experience. Apple also integrated the music and podcast settings into the app itself.
The most prominent user complaints about the new exercise app
Social media platforms, especially Reddit, were abuzz with hundreds of posts from angry users expressing their frustration. Here's a summary of the main points that angered them:
Very small buttons and slow response
One of the most frequent complaints is that the buttons and touch inputs have become too small. One user wrote, “Sometimes I have to tap the start button several times before the app responds and the workout actually begins.” This lag makes starting a workout frustrating rather than motivating.
Special suffering for swimmers
If you're a swimming enthusiast, the new update could be a nightmare. The small buttons become nearly unusable when the screen is wet or your fingers are wet. Many swimmers have reported that starting a workout or switching between exercises while in the pool has become "an impossible task."
Destroying “muscle memory”
Longtime Apple Watch users have grown accustomed to specific button placements over the years. The new design has moved essential controls, such as Goal Settings and Quick Start options, to entirely different locations. One user commented, “What I used to do with my eyes closed now requires my full concentration and is completely annoying before I even start running.”
Recording exercises by mistake or forgetting to play them
Due to the delay in the start button appearing, many users find themselves accidentally starting incorrect exercises while trying to scroll. Conversely, a user might think they pressed the start button to see the animation play, only to discover after finishing their workout that the clock didn't register anything because the press wasn't actually recorded.
How are users trying to adapt to this situation?
Faced with these challenges, Apple Watch users began searching for alternative solutions to avoid dealing with the new interface, such as:
◉ Using Siri: Some people resort to voice commands to start exercising directly without touching the screen.
◉ Through the Actions button: Apple Watch Ultra owners are a little lucky, as they rely on the Actions button dedicated to starting workouts with a single press.
◉ Automatic detection: Some have started to rely on the automatic exercise detection feature, such as walking or cycling, although it may not always be accurate, but it is still easier than navigating through new menus.
Will Apple respond to these criticisms?
It's clear that Apple's attempt to integrate new features like music and podcast controls into its workout app has come at the expense of basic usability. Sleek design doesn't always translate to better functionality, especially in an app meant for use while moving, sweating, and engaging in intense physical activity.
So far, Apple has not released an update that restores the old design or increases the size of the buttons, but with increasing pressure from the user community, we may see improvements in the upcoming minor updates to watchOS 26.
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