Apple Although it focuses most of its attention on the latest systems, it occasionally releases updates for devices that are no longer part of the current generation. That's exactly what happened with Apple WatchThe company has quietly released minor updates to older versions watchOS, whose sole purpose is to ensure that some important services continue to function in the years to come.
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Necessary update
Apple released updates watchOS 5.3.10 to watchOS 8.8.2. These are not major upgrades full of new features – in fact, they have only one practical task: to extend the validity of a security certificate that is necessary for the operation of some system services. Without this modification, they would stop working on older ones after a certain date. Apple Watch function functions like:
- device activation
- iMessage
- FaceTime
The original certificate was due to expire in January 2027. The update therefore extends its validity so that the aforementioned services can continue to function without interruption. In practice, this means a simple thing: if you have an older Apple Watch and install the update, your watch will be able to use these services even after 2027.
Even owners of the oldest models will find something to their liking
Apple released two different updates based on the watch generation.
watchOS 5.3.10 It is designed for the very oldest models:
- Apple Watch Series 1
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
watchOS 8.8.2 then they got newer, but no longer supported generations:
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch SE (1st generation)
Interestingly, the Series 3 and Series 4 appear on both lists, as these models exist in configurations that can run on different versions of the system.
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Last update?
For some watches, this is also the very last version of the system they may ever receive. For example watchOS 8 is the last supported system for Apple Watch Series 3. This watch will not receive a newer version, so similar security updates are the only way to Apple maintains their basic functionality. A similar situation applies to even older models. watchOS 5 is the latest system that can be used, for example, when connecting to iPhones as iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. Alone Apple Watch SeSeries 1 and Series 2 also support watchOS 6, but to install it you need at least iPhone 6s or later.
