Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 8
Apple Restores watchOS 27 Support for Series 9 After Initial Compatibility List Omission
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 8

Apple Restores watchOS 27 Support for Series 9 After Initial Compatibility List Omission

3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 8

Summary

  • Apple told 9to5Mac that watchOS 27 will run on Apple Watch Series 9, reversing an earlier compatibility list that excluded the model.
  • watchOS 27 was unveiled at WWDC26 with a Siri AI app, new workout data insights and Spanish support for Workout Buddy, but it still drops support for several older watches.
  • The supported lineup now includes Apple Watch SE (3rd generation), Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2 and Ultra 3; the update also requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27.
  • The correction softens what had looked like an unusually aggressive cutoff, after earlier reports said Apple was ending support for Series 6, 7, 8, 9 and the first-generation Ultra.

Insights

Why is Apple dropping the Series 9 watch while supporting another device with the identical S9 chip?
As Apple cuts support so quickly, can Android rivals with longer update promises finally challenge its smartwatch dominance?
Is Apple's new policy a sign that yearly hardware upgrades will soon become mandatory for all its devices?