Headspace is bringing its mental health tools right to your wrist. The company on Wednesday launched and updated the Apple Watch app that uses biometric data to figure out when you need to take a deep breath.
With your permission, the app analyzes your heart rate variability data from Apple Health to identify moments when you may be more receptive to a mindful pause. It can send a nudge to your wrist and guide you through a 60-second breathing exercise.
“Though a single breath can’t solve the unpredictability of what is happening in the world, it’s an important micro-intervention we often need to be reminded of,” said Fay Kallel, chief product and design officer at Headspace, in a statement. The idea, she added, is to help members build resilience through small, consistent practices that fit seamlessly into their lives.
What’s new in the app
The updated Headspace app experience has a few core features:
- Each morning, a personalized meditation session surfaces directly on your watch.
- An SOS mode for when you’re in a stressful moment to identify how you’re feeling. Options include “Panicking,” “Burned Out” and “Losing Your Temper.”
- Sleep support lets you start a wind-down session or play a sleepcast (an audio tour of a peaceful environment) directly from your watch.
All sessions count toward your Headspace streaks and progress, and the app also updates the Mindful Minutes in Apple Health.
Headspace app compatibility
The app is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 through 11, Apple Watch Series SE (2nd and 3rd generation) and Apple Watch Ultra models, running on watchOS 26.1 or later. You’ll also need an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.
Any paid Headspace subscription gets you full access. It costs $13 per month with seven days free or $70 per year with 14 days free. Users without a subscription can only access a haptic breathing exercise.
The update is now available in 190 countries. You can get it by updating the Headspace mobile app, which will automatically push the Apple Watch app to your wrist.
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