Apple limits watchOS 27 support to newer Watch models
Apple announced that watchOS 27 will only run on six newer Apple Watch models, with older devices receiving only security updates.
Apple said its upcoming watchOS 27 operating system will no longer support the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the second-generation SE and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. The five affected models will continue to receive basic security patches but will not get new features.
The new release will be compatible with six devices: the third-generation Apple Watch SE, Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2 and Ultra 3, all of which must be paired with an iPhone running iOS 27.
Cait Dooley, Apple’s market manager for Watch and health products, explained that the latest features require more processing power, citing the integration of Siri AI and a new tap-gesture system that work best on devices equipped with the S9 chip or later. She noted that older watches can still pair with the latest iPhone and will keep receiving security updates, allowing users to "continue enjoying the Apple Watch experience."
David Clark, senior director of watchOS software engineering, said watchOS 27 aims to make the Apple Watch a true partner for Apple Intelligence, delivering a consistent and personalized Siri experience across the watch and iPhone. He described the seamless handoff between devices – for example, asking Siri for a recipe while shopping and later reviewing the list on an iPhone – as a core benefit of the update.
In addition to Siri AI, watchOS 27 introduces an improved Workout Buddy feature and expanded health tracking capabilities. A developer beta is already available, with a public beta slated for July and the full release expected in the autumn of this year.