Surprised to learn that you can run older Apple Watch 26? Maybe you still miss some great new functions
- Advertisement -
- Apple unveiled Workos 26 on WWDC yesterday
- Watchos 26 is compatible with Apple Watches who go back for years
- But some of the best functions require a more recent device
When Apple unveiled Watchos 26 bee WWDC 2025 Yesterday it showed off with an operating system that had been upgraded with a welcome range New functions and skills. However, if you hope to try it out, you want to check it If your Apple Watch is compatible – Because many of the most popular models will not be.
At first glance, most of the Best Apple Watch models will work with Watchos 26. Apple says it is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 or later, the second generation of Apple Watch Se, plus Elke Apple Watch Ultra model; You also have to link your watch to an iPhone 11 or later that runs iOS 26. That is a good range of devices that go back many years.
But there are different functions that only work if you link your watch to a much more recent iPhone. To begin with, everything driven through Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any device of the iPhone 16 reach. This immediately increases the threshold for compatibility with Apple’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform.
In addition, some of the new functions introduced in Watchos 26 have their own requirements. For example, the gesture ‘wrist film’ needs an Apple Watch Series 9, for example, Series 10Or Ultra 2. Again, this excludes many of the older devices that can perform Watchos 26 technically.
Check the small print
Potential limitations such as these show that it is important to check device requirements before you become enthusiastic about downloading an update such as Watchos 26. That new tool that attracted your eye may not work with your existing hardware.
And it is especially vital to do this before you buy a device. Maybe you have one Much on an older Apple WatchFor example, but if it cannot perform the functions that you die to try, you are out of luck.
Watchos 26 has a number of interesting new updates, including one Revision of liquid glass designA fitness assistant of the training, improved smart stack algorithms and more. If you want to give one of these an attempt, you should definitely check whether your Apple Watch is compatible.
Maybe you like it too
- Advertisement -