Smart Stack is one of the Apple Watch’s most handy features, first introduced in watchOS 10 to help users access important information more quickly.
Accessible with just a simple swipe down from the home screen or a Double Tap gesture, it’s our favorite way of receiving glanceable tidbits of data and quick launches into relevant apps.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the basics of how Smart Stack works in watchOS 26, as well as five tips for making Smart Stack even smarter.
What’s new with Smart Stack?
Smart Stack received significant upgrades in watchOS 11, which was released in September 2024. This update enabled the feature to display widgets from Shazam, Photos, and more, while new insights surfaced at the top if they were time-sensitive or location-dependent.
Harnessing Apple Intelligence, it added even more in the 2025 watchOS 26 update. Building on the improvements introduced with watchOS 11, the Apple Watch will now proactively display hints for apps you may need. For instance, it might suggest opening the Backtrack feature if you’re hiking in an area with no signal or prompt you to start a workout when you arrive at your usual studio time.
A Smart Stack API is also available to third-party developers, meaning new additions will be added constantly. Last year, Wareable spoke exclusively to Apple Watch product manager Eric Charles about the new SmartStack APIs and how the changes will impact the experience.
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1. Use automatic stacking
The Smart Stack utilizes information such as time, location, and activity to prioritize widgets throughout the day.
For instance, the weather widget might appear first thing in the morning, while Maps might take over when you’re out and about. Keep an eye out for variations in the stack to see if this works for you. If not, you can follow some of the steps below.
2. Add a new widget
The Smart Stack isn’t limited to Apple’s default options. You can add widgets from many of your favorite apps, making the information you see most relevant to you.
Scroll down to the bottom of your current stack and hit the ‘Edit’ option. You’ll then see the screen above—tap the widget at the top with the ‘+’ icon. From here, you can choose which widgets to add to the stack.
3. Remove a widget
If there’s a widget you’re always skipping past, then banish it forever. Following the process in the last step, which allows you to add new widgets, bring up the ‘Edit’ screen. Here, you can view all your current pinned widgets. Tap the red minus icon on the left side to remove one.
4. Pin your favorites
While the Smart Stack prioritizes widgets it thinks you’ll want to see, you can also take control. Use the pinning feature to lock your most frequently used widgets at the top of the stack for easy access. Press and hold on a widget and tap the (tiny) yellow pin. Repeat to unpin it.
5. Use the ‘Double Tap’ gesture
If you want to check your Smart Stack ‘hands-free’, then use the Double Tap gesture feature, which is available on Series 9-11 and Ultra 2/3.
Look at the watch to wake the home screen and double-tap your thumb and forefinger. The Smart Stack will now display. Double-tap again, and you can cycle through your Smart Stack widgets.
Tip: Keep it concise. The Smart Stack is designed for quick glances. Avoid cluttering it with too many widgets, or it will devalue the feature. Choose the ones that provide the most relevant information you need throughout the day.
