Apple has confirmed that it will end support for three older Apple Watches – the Series 5, Series 4 and the original SE – following the announcement of watchOS 11 during its WWDC 2024 keynote (you can read everything Apple announced on our WWDC 2024 live blog).
During Apple’s unveiling of check out OS 11 we’re told it will include quite a few new features, like an improved widget stack with live activities, AI assistance used for selecting new photos for your watch face, and all-new wellness tools including the Vitals app and feature Training load.
Users who have not upgraded to the best Apple Watches and those still using older models were probably watching with bated breath to see if their watch would survive and remain supported for another year.
It was expected that the Apple Watch Series 4 would go, but unfortunately Apple has chosen to remove support for multiple generations at the same time. Users of the Apple Watch Series 5 and original Apple Watch SEwhich debuted together in 2019 will not be able to download the new watchOS 11 when it officially launches in September this year.
This is evident from an official message from the Apple Newsroomstating that “watchOS 11 will be available on Apple Watch Series 6 or later paired with iPhone Xs or later”. Users with an Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, Apple Watch SE 2, or an Apple Watch Ultra model are unaffected.
What happens if I have an older Apple Watch?
If you have one of the older watches, first of all, don’t panic! You can continue to use your watch as is, and it will work fine with your iPhone. However, it does not receive any further updates, including security updates, and without these updates it may experience bugs or slowdowns over time.
Alternatively, you can choose to upgrade. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, your best bet is an update Apple Watch SE2, which will be supported for many years to come. If you get an older Series 6 at a discounted price you might end up in the same position next year, so it’s better to buy a newer one and get the most bang for your buck.