You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

ha1ya Author

Level 1

5 points

Apple watch won't pair with old iPhone

I have an Apple Watch Series 3 and an iPhone 6, both hand-me-down. I have already erased the watch and the phone is updated to the latest version, 12.5.6. When I try to pair the two devices, a pop-up comes up saying the watch can't be paired because the phone is not updated, even though it is on the latest version of iOS it can run. I know the iPhone 6 can only run iOS 12 and not the latest iOS 16, but I would think that there'd be a way for Apple Watches to pair with older iPhones.

This is what the pop-up and update screen looks like.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me find a solution.

Thanks.

iPhone 6s, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 21, 2022 4:49 PM

Top-ranking reply

Community User

Posted on Sep 21, 2022 4:57 PM

If your watch is running WatchOS6 then you need an iphone running at least ios13 which is an iphone 6s.

View in context

Apple watch won't pair with old iPhone

Similar questions