Apple announced in 2026 that watchOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will drop support for a wider range of older devices than in previous years, leaving owners of several Apple Watch and iPad models without access to the latest software updates.
According to Apple’s website, watchOS 27 will be available only on Apple Watch Series 10 and above, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and above, and Apple Watch SE 3. However, reports of users successfully installing the watchOS 27 developer beta on the Series 9 and first-generation Apple Watch Ultra suggest those models may also be supported — Apple has been asked for confirmation. Even if the Series 9 and first-gen Ultra are included, owners of the Series 6, 7, and 8, as well as the second-generation Apple Watch SE, will not receive the update.
The cut represents a significant step back in supported devices compared to watchOS 26, released a year prior, which supported Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and later, and all Apple Watch Ultra models — the same list as watchOS 11.
On the iPad side, iPadOS 27 drops support for 3rd-generation iPad Air models and 8th-generation standard iPad models. iPad Pro owners will need at least a 4th-generation 12.9-inch model or a 2nd-generation 11-inch model. The 4th-generation and 5th-generation iPad Air models remain supported.
The Apple Watch cuts may be notable given that consumers tend to replace smartwatches less frequently than smartphones. By contrast, Apple is maintaining iOS 27 support for the iPhone 11, a device released in 2019, meaning a seven-year-old iPhone will receive the latest iOS update while Apple Watch models from 2022 will not.
Source: The Verge