Skip to main content

Will your Apple Watch get WatchOS 9? Here are the compatible models

Apple took the stage at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6 to unveil WatchOS 9, the next big update to the operating system for the Apple Watch. Following several months in beta, WatchOS 9 was officially made available on September 12, along with the Apple Watch Series 8.

This also marks the first time in two years that Apple is dropping support for an older Apple Watch model in a new WatchOS release. The Apple Watch Series 3, which made its debut alongside the iPhone 7 in 2017, isn’t making the cut this year. So, if you plan to upgrade to WatchOS 9, you’ll need an Apple Watch Series 4 or later. This includes the Apple Watch SE, released alongside the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. Let’s take a closer look.

Recommended Videos

The end of an era

Apple Watches with different WatchOS 9 features.
Apple

The Apple Watch Series 3 is the last of the original era of the Apple Watch. From 2014 to 2017, every series of Apple Watch came in the same two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. In 2018, the Apple Watch Series 4 bumped the wearable to 40mm and 44mm versions while shrinking the bezels to make room for an even larger screen.

However, even as new Apple Watch models came out each year, Apple kept the Series 3 around as an affordable version, ensuring that it would continue to run the latest WatchOS releases, even if it didn’t support features like the Series 4 ECG, Series 5 always-on display, or Series 6 blood oxygen sensors.

Nevertheless, the slower chip and lower storage capacity of the Apple Watch Series 3 proved to be a challenge even for WatchOS 7, and the older Apple Watch model has been on our “don’t buy” list for a while. It was only a matter of time before Apple gave up and pulled the plug rather than trying to shoehorn another WatchOS update into the aging wearable.

Even though Apple still sells the Apple Watch Series 3, rumors of its demise have already been making the rounds. WatchOS 9 hasn’t been released yet, but it’s fair to say when it comes out alongside this year’s Apple Watch in the fall, the Series 3 will finally be put out to pasture. It had a good run. Apple has never sold any other Apple Watch model for more than two years, yet the Series 3 has been on the market for five.

What about the other Apple Watch models?

WatchOS 9 will be available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and all later models. That includes the Series 5, the SE, Series 6, 7, and 8, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra.

However, not all WatchOS 9 features will be making it to every model, as some just aren’t advanced enough to support them. That includes the Apple Watch Mirroring capability, which is only available on the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, and new support for language translation, which is only available on the Series 7 and later. The Series 8 also adds a brand new temperature sensor, which other models do not have.

What can you expect from WatchOS 9?

Major features include a low-power mode, international roaming, and a variety of upgrades for fitness features, like the ability to race against your previous time, measure stride, and get more in-depth summaries. The Health app also received advances like a Medications tracker and more accurate sleep tracking.

Jesse Hollington
Jesse has been a Mobile Writer for Digital Trends since 2021 and a technology enthusiast for his entire life — he was…
Apple Watch SE 3: Everything you need to know
Apple Watch SE 2 with protective case and generic Alpine Loop-style strap.

The Apple Watch is one of the most sought-after wearables on the market, but it can cost a pretty penny. Just as the now-defunct iPhone SE lineup offered an affordable alternative to iPhones, the Apple Watch SE is a more budget-friendly alternative to the main Apple Watch. The Apple Watch SE 3 is on its way, and it's poised to shake up the wearable market in some exciting ways.

Of course, all of this information is gathered through rumors and leaks. Apple isn't one to spill details ahead of time, so what we're presenting here could change before launch. That said, if the Apple Watch SE 3 is anything like the Apple Watch SE 2, we're excited to get our hands on it.

Read more
Apple just dropped a new watch band and wallpapers for Pride 2025
Apple Pride 2025 collection.

Apple just announced its "2025 Pride Collection," which includes a new Sport Band for Apple Watch, a dynamic watch face, and a dynamic wallpaper that will be available for iOS and iPadOS. The watch band is available to order from today and the watch face/wallpapers will drop in upcoming software updates.

Apple has been releasing special edition watch bands for Pride Month for almost a decade now, each with a different take on the rainbow/multicolored design. This year's is pretty straightforward, making use of bold stripes of color just like actual pride flags.

Read more
10 years on and the Apple Watch has defined the smartwatch era
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 10.

When I put on my Apple Watch Series 10, I’m putting on a watch that’s as recognizable as some of the most iconic watches ever made, and easily the most recognizable smartwatch there is. The Apple Watch celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 24, and while its shape has evolved over all these years, it has never drastically changed, and it’s one of its biggest strengths.
The Apple Watch is an icon

When people think of a dive watch they probably think of a Rolex Submariner or some version of it. Think of a pilot’s watch, and something like the IWC Mark series may come to mind, while the rugged watch space is dominated by the original Casio G-Shock DW-5600 and its square case. Ask a child to draw a sports car, and whatever they draw it will end up red, because the definitive sports car in many people's mind is a Ferrari. Whether due to a certain shape or a specific design motif, all these are considered the definitive silhouettes in their respective spaces.

Read more