Although watchOS 27 drops support for several older Apple Watch models, Apple has confirmed to 9to5Mac that one compatible model was mistakenly left out of its official list. Here are the details.
Apple Watch Series 9 will run watchOS 27
Right after Apple wrapped up its WWDC 2026 keynote, the company updated its website with details about each new system announced during the event.
For many Apple Watch users, the watchOS 27 page included a surprisingly shorter compatibility list than watchOS 26.
According to the page, watchOS 27 supports the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 2. In practice, that would mean the update drops support for the Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra.
However, as soon as Apple released watchOS 27 beta 1, several Apple Watch Series 9 owners noticed that they were able to download, install, and run the beta on their devices.
Apple has now confirmed to 9to5Mac that watchOS 27 is indeed compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9, bringing some relief to users who were initially left out by the compatibility list.
Apple’s website still doesn’t list the Apple Watch Series 9 among compatible models, but that should change soon.
watchOS 27 introduces the new Siri AI app, new data insights for workouts, Spanish support for Workout Buddy, and more. You can learn more about watchOS 27 here.
We’re digging through the new features on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, and the other operating systems announced in today’s keynote.
For ongoing updates and full coverage of WWDC26, head over to our news hub.
Worth checking out on Amazon
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
