Apple Watch Models Lose Support in Watchos 27 Update
WHO:
GSMArena.com - Cait Dooley, Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing Manager
9to5Mac - Cait Dooley, Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing Manager
WHAT:
GSMArena.com - Apple announced the release of watchOS 27, which will drop support for several older Apple Watch models.
9to5Mac - watchOS 27 will not support the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra.
9to5Mac - watchOS 27 will introduce new features including Siri AI with a dedicated app, a new dynamic app grid, and improvements to Workout Buddy.
9to5Mac - A public beta of watchOS 27 will be released in July, followed by a full release in the fall.
WHERE:
GSMArena.com - The announcement was made at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference.
WHEN:
GSMArena.com - watchOS 27 is set to roll out in the fall.
9to5Mac - A public beta of watchOS 27 will be released in July.
WHY:
GSMArena.com - The decision to drop support for older models is aimed at ensuring users have the best experience with new features that require more processing power.
9to5Mac - The compatibility cuts were made to prioritize power and performance for the latest Apple Watch models.
HOW:
GSMArena.com - Older Apple Watch models will still be able to pair with iPhones running the latest software and will continue to receive essential security updates.
(UPDATED June 20, 2026 01:43 UTC)
Apple has announced the upcoming release of watchOS 27, which will no longer support several older Apple Watch models, including the Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. This new update, revealed at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, will introduce exciting features like a dedicated Siri AI app, a dynamic app grid, and enhancements to Workout Buddy, with a public beta set to launch in July and a full release expected in the fall. While older models will lose some compatibility, they will still be able to pair with iPhones running the latest software and will continue to receive essential security updates.