Apple is changing the technical platform on which watchOS apps run. In the future, modern versions of the computer watch will use the arm64 architecture instead of arm64_32, Apple announced in a developer video that the company posted online for its World Wide Developers Conference 2025 last week. For creators of watchOS apps, this means that in future they will have to supply two binaries to cover all supported devices.
Until now: 64-bit with 32-bit hands
The change will take place in the fall (probably in September) when watchOS 26 is officially launched on the market. A beta phase for developers is currently underway, followed by a public beta for the interested public from July. The new system architecture is supported by three model series of the computer watch: Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, the first variant of the Ultra, which was presented together with the second-generation Series 8 and SE in 2022, is not covered. The second binary is correspondingly important.
arm64 promises a range of performance improvements and can access larger memory areas – It is a fully-fledged 64-bit architecture that is compatible with all general ARM standards of this type. This means that more complex and performance-hungry watchOS applications are also conceivable. Apple had previously relied on arm64_32, which combines a 64-bit architecture with 32-bit hands. Among other things, this should consider the limited memory conditions of wearables.
arm64 promises more powerful apps
Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8 and SE of the second generation, all of which will also support watchOS 26, remain on arm64_32. Xcode has been adapted so that suitable binaries are automatically spit out if watchOS 26 is the target platform and the project settings are correct. All previous arm64_32 apps will continue to run on the arm64-capable watches; Apple has integrated a compatibility layer for this purpose.
However, the manufacturer is asking developers to optimize their watchOS apps for arm64 if possible or at least to recompile them to take advantage of the better possibilities. It can be assumed that arm64_32 will be completely buried in a few years' time – arm64 is also the standard on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It will be interesting to see whether arm64 will really bring better watchOS apps to the devices. Currently, the watch applications feel rather underpowered.
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