What Apple Watch you need to run watchOS 8

Not all Apple Watches can run Apple's latest watchOS 8, find out which ones are compatible with the latest operating system release.

Apple has released a new Apple Watch every year since it was originally announced and only the first three generations have lost compatibility so far. The original Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 1, and Apple Watch Series 2 are the only ones that won't work.

The rest of the Apple Watch lineup are capable of running watchOS 8. This includes the Apple Watch Series 7, which Apple revealed in September and will be shipping later in the fall.

Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 8

Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch SE

Apple does warn that not all features will be available on all models, with older Apple Watch units less likely to have more recent function additions.

For owners of the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple has also warned that users should unpair and restore their device before proceeding with the watchOS update.

9 Comments

andyring 54 comments · 10 Years

About 3 years ago

WOW.

STILL supporting the Series 3?!?!?

bageljoey 1997 comments · 18 Years

andyring said:

WOW.

STILL supporting the Series 3?!?!?

Lol! Still supporting it???
They are STILL SELLING it. New. In the Apple Store. Right now.

MplsP 4021 comments · 8 Years

bageljoey said:

andyring said:

WOW.

STILL supporting the Series 3?!?!?

Lol! Still supporting it???
They are STILL SELLING it. New. In the Apple Store. Right now.

Yes, the post should have been "STILL selling the series 3????"

(or maybe "Still expecting people to spend 2 hours wiping and reinstalling just to get a software update????")

docno42 3761 comments · 16 Years

bageljoey said:
Lol! Still supporting it???
They are STILL SELLING it. New. In the Apple Store. Right now.

lol - if they weren't support it still there would be all the comments about forced obsolescence :p

No winning with the Internet crowd.

longpath 401 comments · 20 Years

andyring said:

WOW.

STILL supporting the Series 3?!?!?

Since they still sell it, and they still offer AppleCare+, they are certain to support it for at least another two years, as failure to support an under warranty device is an engraved invitation to multiple lawsuits, class action and otherwise, and a violation of law in multiple countries. When Apple stops selling it, then and only then will the countdown to end of support start. Indeed, if Apple follows their own pattern, with the Series 2, that’s exactly how it will play out. For example, if Apple ceases selling the Series 3 this Autumn, depending on the specific date relative to the release of WatchOS 8, the Series 3 can be expected to support WatchOS 10. If the Series 3 isn’t discontinued until the Spring, then WatchOS 11 support is likely.