Old iPhone + Old Watch compatibility

[PN4]

I found this: https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-models-compatible-iphone-models/

But it does not seem to be accurate


I am trying to pair my old Series 4 (GPS) to one of our old iPhones for my daughter.

iPhone 7 Plus, IOS 15.8.3
iPhone 6s, IOS 15.8.3

Both phones give the “iPhone out of Date” This Apple Watch requires a newer version of IOS.

iOS 15.8.3 is the most up to date version.

Has this changed since the article above or am I missing something?

 

[jz0309]

I found this: https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-models-compatible-iphone-models/

But it does not seem to be accurate


I am trying to pair my old Series 4 (GPS) to one of our old iPhones for my daughter.

iPhone 7 Plus, IOS 15.8.3
iPhone 6s, IOS 15.8.3

Both phones give the “iPhone out of Date” This Apple Watch requires a newer version of IOS.

iOS 15.8.3 is the most up to date version.

Has this changed since the article above or am I missing something?

what version of watchOS?

edit: check this:

Apple Watch and iPhone compatibility - Apple Support

Find out which versions of iPhone, iOS, and watchOS work with your Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

 

[PN4]

the watch isn’t paired, so I cannot see the watchOS.

According to that link my phone, iOS, and watch series are compatible. WatchOS is the missing piece.

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

the watch isn’t paired, so I cannot see the watchOS.

According to that link my phone, iOS, and watch series are compatible. WatchOS is the missing piece.

Pair the watch to your phone, update the OS and then remove it from your phone. Then try setting it up with your daughters phone.

 

[jz0309]

the watch isn’t paired, so I cannot see the watchOS.

According to that link my phone, iOS, and watch series are compatible. WatchOS is the missing piece.

do you have another phone to pair the watch to to check the OS version? just don't update watchOS doing this

 

[PN4]

I just paired it with my iPhone (16) and it shows 10.6.1.

Is there a way to unpair? Or do I have to reset it completely?

 

[jz0309]

I just paired it with my iPhone (16) and it shows 10.6.1.

Is there a way to unpair? Or do I have to reset it completely?

View attachment 2463174

haven't done an un-pair in quite some time, I think you should go thru the reset process.

Now that we know the watch is on watchOS 10, sorry to tell you it is incompatible with your iOS 15 devices, watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 ;(

 

[PN4]

haven't done an un-pair in quite some time, I think you should go thru the reset process.

Now that we know the watch is on watchOS 10, sorry to tell you it is incompatible with your iOS 15 devices, watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 ;(

Was I reading this incorrectly?

From: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118490

 

[jz0309]

Was I reading this incorrectly?

View attachment 2463182

From: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118490

what the chart says is that the S4 supports those watchOS versions, but if you look closer you will see that watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 which you 2 iPhones do not support.

There is no way for the normal user to downgrade watchOS, Apple can do it, but unlikely to actually doing it.

 

[PN4]

what the chart says is that the S4 supports those watchOS versions, but if you look closer you will see that watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 which you 2 iPhones do not support.
View attachment 2463184

There is no way for the normal user to downgrade watchOS, Apple can do it, but unlikely to actually doing it.

Ahh. Got it. Bummer. Thanks for your help and explanations!

 

[jz0309]

Ahh. Got it. Bummer. Thanks for your help and explanations!

if there is an Apple Store nearby, you could go in with your S4 and ask if they can downgrade it, just not sure they will, and I think they have to send it in (not sure about that)

 

[McNads]

what the chart says is that the S4 supports those watchOS versions, but if you look closer you will see that watchOS 10 requires iOS 17 which you 2 iPhones do not support.
View attachment 2463184

There is no way for the normal user to downgrade watchOS, Apple can do it, but unlikely to actually doing it.

Ahh. Got it. Bummer. Thanks for your help and explanations!

Contact Apple Support or go to an Apple Store. They have a process to facilitate watchOS downgrades as a mail in repair.