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Is it possible to pair an Apple Watch without updates?

Hello community!


I do have an iPhone that is still on iOS 13 and a factory new Apple Watch series 4 (therefore I believe it is on watchOS 5.x - but I cannot check nor understand what version exactly it is). The watch was laying around fro quite a while so I believe it is definitely not on latest OS. I've tried to pair the watch to the phone but it forces me to update the watch and this forces me to update the iOS. I'm quite sure the iOS even being older is sufficient to work with the watch and that watch is OK to work with this iOS. Is there a way to force pair it to the phone somehow or apple won't allow it and I should just dump it?

Thank you!

Apple Watch Series 4, watchOS 5

Posted on Jan 20, 2021 2:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 20, 2021 5:03 PM

When you try to pair a watch,if there is an update you won't be allowed to go any further,it's the way it works,apple want everybody on the latest updates and this is their way of achieving that.

Wgden I said nagged I meant that you will continually be invited to upgate.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 20, 2021 5:03 PM in response to Promiceus

When you try to pair a watch,if there is an update you won't be allowed to go any further,it's the way it works,apple want everybody on the latest updates and this is their way of achieving that.

Wgden I said nagged I meant that you will continually be invited to upgate.

Jan 20, 2021 4:53 PM in response to Community User

Thank you for your reply. By saying "you will keep getting nagged" do you mean I still can get it done done and then I will be nagged? Or if it isn't possible to pair before/without updating than it isn't exactly 'getting nagged', it's rather 'being stopped'. Just to make sure. I'm not considering any software updates at this point so if there's no other way I'd have sell the device so I need to know for sure.

Thanks!

Jan 20, 2021 4:28 PM in response to Promiceus

All you can do is try to do the updates that are offered because you will keep getting nagged until you do,and once updated turn off automatic updates and then what happens after that is up to you.

Is it possible to pair an Apple Watch without updates?

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