Watch OS 4 dropped iPhone 5 support!

[pika2000]

Just noticed this new requirement.
Previously, Apple Watch minimum requirement was the iPhone 5. Now, even with the same Apple Watch (e.g. Series 1), 5S is listed as the minimum requirement.

I wonder what will happen to iPhone 5 + AW users who upgraded their watch to Watch OS 4, and suddenly find it doesn't work with their phone anymore?

Sigh, so much using my iPhone 5 as a backup phone....

 

[dannyyankou]

Well you need to be on iOS 11 to upgrade to WatchOS 4, and the iPhone 5 doesn’t support iOS 11, so... not surprising?

 

[myrtlebee]

Also the 5C - but for the obvious reason the other poster mentioned, so to be expected.

 

[QueenTyrone]

They will just have to have their watch sent off to have the software downgraded

 

[Arkel]

Will it work with the iphone se? That has similar hardware to the 6 and will run ios 11.

 

[blindside217]

I would assume that the watch app on an iPhone 5 running iOS 10 would not offer the watchOS 4 update.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Will it work with the iphone se? That has similar hardware to the 6 and will run ios 11.

Yes. iPhone 5 support for watchOS 4 was dropped because iPhone 5 can’t run iOS 11. You can use a watch with an older OS with a newer iOS, but not a newer watchOS with an older iOS.

 

[DaveOP]

Just noticed this new requirement.
Previously, Apple Watch minimum requirement was the iPhone 5. Now, even with the same Apple Watch (e.g. Series 1), 5S is listed as the minimum requirement.

I wonder what will happen to iPhone 5 + AW users who upgraded their watch to Watch OS 4, and suddenly find it doesn't work with their phone anymore?

Sigh, so much using my iPhone 5 as a backup phone....

Even if it was listed on the site, did the iPhone 5 ever allow a watch to install watchOS 4?

 

[iamMacPerson]

Even if it was listed on the site, did the iPhone 5 ever allow a watch to install watchOS 4?

Nope. It will see see that the iOS version is iOS 10 on that phone, and either show nothing at all or ask you to update your phone before proceeding with the OS 4 upgrade.

 

[betabeta]

You can use a watch with an older OS with a newer iOS, but not a newer watchOS with an older iOS.

So I guess I’m stuck having to upgrade my 6splus to the new iOS 11 just to get watch OS 4. Hmm I don’t know how I feel about that, hope 11 doesn’t crap my battery life or slow things down.

 

[iamMacPerson]

So I guess I’m stuck having to upgrade my 6splus to the new iOS 11 just to get watch OS 4. Hmm I don’t know how I feel about that, hope 11 doesn’t crap my battery life or slow things down.

Idk about you, but battery life on my 6s Plus has been terrible since, like, iOS 10.1. If you're not having to already plug in halfway through the day, I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[betabeta]

Idk about you, but battery life on my 6s Plus has been terrible since, like, iOS 10.1. If you're not having to already plug in halfway through the day, I'm sure you'll be fine.

That’s what I’m saying, seems every new update hurts my battery life or makes it sluggish, wish I was lucky enough to update and get better battery life for once

 

[DaveOP]

Nope. It will see see that the iOS version is iOS 10 on that phone, and either show nothing at all or ask you to update your phone before proceeding with the OS 4 upgrade.

That's exactly what I figured, so not sure what OP was going on about. I guess his case only applies to people who have multiple phones?

 

[verdejt]

With IOS 11 it drops support for 32 bit apps. Only devices with 64 bit architecture are supported. Pretty much all the old stuff. My iPad 4 will remain on IOS 10. For iPhones the 5s is the lowest supported and on the iPad it will be the iPad Air 1. The SE is the iPhone 6 in a 5 case so it will be supported.

 

[Peter K.]

Just noticed this new requirement.
Previously, Apple Watch minimum requirement was the iPhone 5. Now, even with the same Apple Watch (e.g. Series 1), 5S is listed as the minimum requirement.

I wonder what will happen to iPhone 5 + AW users who upgraded their watch to Watch OS 4, and suddenly find it doesn't work with their phone anymore?

Sigh, so much using my iPhone 5 as a backup phone....

Exactly the same feeling(s) here. I had big plans!

EDIT: I was planning to be able to wear multiple watches (one at a time, of course) without the un-pairing and re-pairing hassles. I would've had each watch paired with one phone, each of my primary phone and my backup, respectively.