Apple Watch New Year Challenge 2026: How You Can Earn the Award

Apple is kicking off 2026 with a new Apple Watch Activity Challenge designed to help you stay active at the start of the year. The New Year Challenge begins on Thursday, January 1, and it asks you to close all three Activity rings for seven days in a row during January. If you complete the goal, you earn a special digital award.



To qualify, you need to meet your Move, Exercise, and Stand goals on your Apple Watch for seven consecutive days. You can choose any seven days in January, as long as the days are back-to-back. This setup gives you some flexibility, especially if you miss a day early in the month.



Apple says the challenge will appear on your Apple Watch starting December 28. You can complete the challenge between January 7 and January 31, giving you several weeks to plan your streak and stay consistent.



Like other Apple Watch Activity Challenges, this one includes more than just a badge. Apple will add the award to your Fitness app once you finish the goal. You also get a set of animated stickers that you can use in the Messages app.



If you want a simple way to stay motivated in January, this challenge gives you a clear target and a reason to keep moving every day.