Watch for 16 Pro Max on 18

[maverick100]

Thanks for taking the time to look at my questions. and thanks in advance for any and all response.

Is there and Apple Watch that I can purchase that will work with my iPhone.

Can and Ultra 2 refurbished be downgraded to work with my iPhone?
Can a Ultra 3 be setup to work with my iPhone?

I am 76 years old and Liquid Glass is a total disaster
I am handicapped and in a wheelchair; I need the strongest case because of issues when transferring.

 

[jz0309]

Thanks for taking the time to look at my questions. and thanks in advance for any and all response.

Is there and Apple Watch that I can purchase that will work with my iPhone.

Can and Ultra 2 refurbished be downgraded to work with my iPhone?
Can a Ultra 3 be setup to work with my iPhone?

I am 76 years old and Liquid Glass is a total disaster
I am handicapped and in a wheelchair; I need the strongest case because of issues when transferring.

Ultra 3 and any S11 model only runs on watchos26 and thus require your iPhone to be on ios26.

watchOS downgrades can only be done at Apple, not in store, they need to be sent in so its a hassle.

Trick will be to get an Ultra or U2 or a S10 or older that still have watchOS 10 (I think), not on watchOS 26.

As for the "strongest", an S10 Ti should be just fine for you but then an Ultra is only $50 more ...

I'm sorry you feel that way with the 26 versions, I'm 66 with not so good vision and have no issues with iOS/watchOS/macOS26 but understand many people do

 

[maverick100]

Ultra 3 and any S11 model only runs on watchos26 and thus require your iPhone to be on ios26.

watchOS downgrades can only be done at Apple, not in store, they need to be sent in so its a hassle.

Trick will be to get an Ultra or U2 or a S10 or older that still have watchOS 10 (I think), not on watchOS 26.

As for the "strongest", an S10 Ti should be just fine for you but then an Ultra is only $50 more ...

I'm sorry you feel that way with the 26 versions, I'm 66 with not so good vision and have no issues with iOS/watchOS/macOS26 but understand many people do

thanks for the help and suggestions. I am glad iOS 26 works for you. There are ton of really good things about the OS

 

[jz0309]

thanks for the help and suggestions. I am glad iOS 26 works for you. There are ton of really good things about the OS

I would go and check the likes of Amazon, BestBuy, Costco, Walmart etc if they have any S10 or Ultras, and maybe also check if Apple has any of those as refurbs? I would advise against refurbs from other than Apple

 

[jz0309]

thanks for the help and suggestions. I am glad iOS 26 works for you. There are ton of really good things about the OS

I think the price could be better, but:

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS + Cellular 46mm case] Smartwatch with Slate Titanium Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

Meet Apple Watch Series 10. A bigger display with more screen area and a thinner, lighter design. Get advanced fitness and health features with Sleep Apnea Notifications, plus faster charging.

www.amazon.com

 

[jz0309]

thanks for the help and suggestions. I am glad iOS 26 works for you. There are ton of really good things about the OS

If this is of interest, I'd contact Apple (Sales) about the watchOS version on those (they probably won't know) but ask them if they will downgrade it for you?

Refurbished Apple Watch - Apple Watch Ultra 2

All refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 models are Apple-certified, including a 1-year warranty. Shop now to save up to 15% with free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

 

[axantas]

Regarding the watchOS downgrade, I had an interesting experience, selling a S6 to someone with an iPhone 11 or something in that region. No iOS 26 possible on that phone.

My watch was already updated to WatchOS26. First we thought, no joy with that combination, but on coupling the watch, the iPhone dispayed the message, the watch needs to be "updated". In fact it downgraded the watch and removed WatchOS 26.

Running downgraded now...

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Regarding the watchOS downgrade, I had an interesting experience, selling a S6 to someone with an iPhone 11 or something in that region. No iOS 26 possible on that phone.

My watch was already updated to WatchOS26. First we thought, no joy with that combination, but on coupling the watch, the iPhone dispayed the message, the watch needs to be "updated". In fact it downgraded the watch and removed WatchOS 26.

Running downgraded now...

I suspect you misinterpreted what happened; it's not possible to "Downgrade" watchOS without sending it in.

The iPhone 11 will run iOS 26, so that's likely what happened.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Thanks for taking the time to look at my questions. and thanks in advance for any and all response.

Is there and Apple Watch that I can purchase that will work with my iPhone.

Can and Ultra 2 refurbished be downgraded to work with my iPhone?
Can a Ultra 3 be setup to work with my iPhone?

I am 76 years old and Liquid Glass is a total disaster
I am handicapped and in a wheelchair; I need the strongest case because of issues when transferring.

My understanding (feel free to check, I could be wrong) is that Apple will no longer "Downgrade" watchOS on request other than to remove Beta; and if they do that they only install the latest available non-Beta version.

Your best bet will be to purchase an Ultra 2 on the secondary market that's not been updated, if you don't want to upgrade iOS.

fwiw, my suggestion is make peace with Liquid Glass. It's just a different visual; I and millions of others have adapted easily enough. But - you do you!

 

[axantas]

I suspect you misinterpreted what happened; it's not possible to "Downgrade" watchOS without sending it in.

The iPhone 11 will run iOS 26, so that's likely what happened.

All I can interpret: The watch was running WatchOS26 - now it is not running WatchOS26 anymore, because that iPhone was not able to run it. (do not remember, the exact version of the phone...)

 

[Howard2k]

All I can interpret: The watch was running WatchOS26 - now it is not running WatchOS26 anymore, because that iPhone was not able to run it. (do not remember, the exact version of the phone...)

On the Watch, if you go to Settings, General, About, what version does it report?

 

[axantas]

On the Watch, if you go to Settings, General, About, what version does it report?

You are correct - I sold the watch to someone and had him check it. There was no downgrade - sorry for the wrong info.

 

[P_Watt]

Thanks for taking the time to look at my questions. and thanks in advance for any and all response.

Is there and Apple Watch that I can purchase that will work with my iPhone.

Can and Ultra 2 refurbished be downgraded to work with my iPhone?
Can a Ultra 3 be setup to work with my iPhone?

I am 76 years old and Liquid Glass is a total disaster
I am handicapped and in a wheelchair; I need the strongest case because of issues when transferring.

I am your age, please be sensible.
Install iOS26 then do the following to make it usable...
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size, reduce transparency
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size , increase contrast
Settings, Accessibility, Motion, Reduce motion
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size , Display Borders

Then you can get latest security updates and buy any Watch you want

 

[Nbardens]

I am your age, please be sensible.
Install iOS26 then do the following to make it usable...
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size, reduce transparency
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size , increase contrast
Settings, Accessibility, Motion, Reduce motion
Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text size , Display Borders

Then you can get latest security updates and buy any Watch you want

I am 75 with very poor eye sight and P_ Watt’s information is spot on. When I moved to IOS 26 my first reaction was total despair. I just told my self take your time and start adjusting everything. After about an hour of trial and error I mastered the changes and you can to.

 

[axantas]

I am 75 with very poor eye sight and P_ Watt’s information is spot on. When I moved to IOS 26 my first reaction was total despair. I just told my self take your time and start adjusting everything. After about an hour of trial and error I mastered the changes and you can to.

Your reaction and action is "spot on" too. What's 75... You accept and master a challenge - that is all that counts. 🙂