Will my Apple Watch work with watchOS 6?

Voice Memos on Apple Watch
Voice Memos on Apple Watch (Image credit: iMore)

The newest Apple Watch operating system update, offers several new features, including Activity trends, Cycle tracking, the App Store and more. Here are the Apple Watch models that support watchOS 6

watchOS 6 compatibility

Apple has stated that watchOS 6 will work with the following models:

  • Apple Watch Series 1
  • Apple Watch Series 2
  • Apple Watch Series 3
  • Apple Watch Series 4
  • Apple Watch Series 5

It's important to note that Apple is staggering the release of watchOS 6 across the previous models. The new Apple Watch Series 5 will ship with watchOS 6, so if you're buying a new Apple Watch you won't need to upgrade. Both the Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 4 will be able to download the new software on September 19 for free. The Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 are compatible with watchOS 6; however, the upgrade won't be available to them until "sometime this fall" according to Apple.

These are all the same models that supported the previous watchOS 5, so if you're running watchOS 5 right now, you know you can download watchOS 6. Just like the previous version, watchOS 6 will not be supported on the original Apple Watch — sometimes referred to as Apple Watch Series 0.

You also need iOS 13

You need an iPhone that is running iOS 13 to run watchOS 6, but what devices are able to run iOS 13? Here's the full list:

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone SE
  • iPod Touch (7th Generation)

If you do not see your device listed here, that is because it is not compatible with iOS 13.

Excited for watchOS 6?

What feature in watchOS 6 has you the most excited? Let us know in the comments below.

Luke Filipowicz
Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 


Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.