User level: Level 1 (4 points)I would like to buy an Apple Watch series 11, but have an iPhone SE 1st gen (I think), with IOS 26.6.2. Are they compatible? Mixed results from previous investigations. TIA
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: iPhone SE compatibility
Posted on Oct 16, 2026 2:50 AM
User level: Level 10 (187,102 points)Oct 16, 2026 4:47 AM in response to SarahE6
the os that is installed on the watch has limitations not the hardware itself
watchOS 26.0 was what apple watch was at first shipped with when released in 2025
current ones would be shipped with watchOS-27
iphone SE 1st gen
was shipped with
Original: iOS 9.3.1
Current: iOS 15.8.8, released
and can be upgraded no further than 15.8.8
iphone SE 2. gen
Current: iOS 27.0.1, released September 28, 2026[4]
supports current newest ios as do the iphone se 3. gen
WatchOS-27 required an iphone with minimum ios27
WatchOS-26 required an iphone with minimum ios26
WatchOS-11 requires an iphone with minimum ios18
WatchOS-10 requires an iphone with minimum ios17
WatchOS-9 requires an iphone with minimum ios16
so if the watch series 11 you get comes with a watchOS27 unless it's been collecting dust at some reseller for awhile
in which case you need to upgrade ios on the phone
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256377114