Cannot install watch OS6 from iPhone 6 Plus (iOS version issue)

[sundialsoft]

I cannot download and install the new Watch OS6 update to my series 4 watch because my iPhone software is not up to date.
Apple in their wisdom decided that my iPhone 6 plus could not have iOS 13 and now it appears that the phone can no longer be used to upgrade my watch.

There is no software update option on my watch so I cannot install directly (I have seen this mentioned as a possibility elsewhere).

As I intend to buy an iPhone 11 soon the issue is less serious for me but there must be many people getting a surprise when this shows up.

My phone and watch are both as up to date as they are allowed to be.

(My wife is happy because the update worked for her).

 

[staggerlee41]

That's really interesting because according to Apple, your 6S Plus should be eligible for iOS 13.

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.

support.apple.com

Have you tried contacting Apple Support?

 

[rbart]

The 6S plus is eligible, but not the 6 plus
iOS and watchOS are deeply linked together. We can understand WatchOS6 (slave system) needs some features and API that are only available in iOS13 (main system)

 

[staggerlee41]

Ahhhh I missed the fact that he was talking 6 Plus not 6S Plus. Didn't have enough coffee when I responded. lol

 

[musicpenguy]

Yea the cheapest option would be grabbing an iPhone SE from Amazon for a little over $100, if you want to keep that same size the 6S Plus is around $200 I think.

I’m on the SE and my plan is to use that as long as it is supported by OS updates; I depend on my watch quite a bit and need a phone that can stay up to date so the watch can too.