Apple has confirmed the watchOS 27 compatibility list, and this year’s update comes with a major catch. Unlike iOS 27, which supports every iPhone that can run iOS 26, watchOS 27 drops support for several recent Apple Watch models, including Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE 2.
That makes watchOS 27 one of the most aggressive Apple Watch compatibility cuts in years. Only five Apple Watch models will support the update when it launches this fall, even though many excluded models were still supported by watchOS 26.
watchOS 27 supported Apple Watch models
According to Apple, watchOS 27 will support the following models:
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
watchOS 27 also requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE 2 or later, running iOS 27.
Apple Watch models that will not get watchOS 27
Several Apple Watch models that support watchOS 26 will not be eligible for watchOS 27.
Unsupported models include:
- Apple Watch SE 2
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra
The most surprising omissions are Apple Watch Series 9 and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. Both are still relatively recent, and the Series 9 uses the same S9 chip found in Apple Watch Ultra 2, which remains supported.
Why the watchOS 27 cutoff is surprising
Apple usually drops older Apple Watch models gradually, but watchOS 27 removes support for several generations at once.
The cutoff is especially notable because Apple Watch Series 9 launched just a few years ago and was positioned as a modern model with strong performance. The original Apple Watch Ultra was also sold as a premium device, making its exclusion feel unusually harsh for users who expected longer software support.
Apple has not publicly explained why these models were removed from the watchOS 27 compatibility list. The decision may be tied to performance, battery life, new Siri AI requirements, or internal hardware differences, but the exact reason remains unclear.
What watchOS 27 adds
watchOS 27 introduces several new Apple Watch features, including Siri AI, a dedicated Siri app, a Dynamic App Grid, a new tap gesture for Smart Stack, upgraded Workout Buddy insights, and expanded health features.
The update also adds support for perimenopause and menopause tracking, improved indoor run and walk distance accuracy, Workout Buddy in Spanish, a redesigned Find My app, Call Context, Wallet custom passes, and Liquid Glass refinements.
However, many users with Apple Watch Series 6 through Series 9, Apple Watch SE 2, or Apple Watch Ultra will miss out on these upgrades unless they move to a newer model.
watchOS 27 release date
The watchOS 27 developer beta is available now, with a public beta expected next month. Apple will release the final version of watchOS 27 this fall for supported Apple Watch models.
