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I am looking to buy a newer version of the Apple Watch and the SE 2nd gen is a lot cheaper than the Apple Watch series 8. It says that if you have watchOS 9, you should get the keyboard update for the 7, 8 and ultra. Would the update also bring the keyboard to the SE 2nd Gen if the watchOS was after 9?
Apple Watch SE
I don’t think it’s the screen size, since my Apple Watch 7, which has keyboard function, is the same screen size as my daughter’s new Apple Watch SE. I think it’s just a marketing ploy to get people to buy the more expensive versions, and the small screen size is an excuse that they use. I have no issues using the keyboard in my Apple Watch 7.
I don’t think it’s the screen size, since my Apple Watch 7, which has keyboard function, is the same screen size as my daughter’s new Apple Watch SE. I think it’s just a marketing ploy to get people to buy the more expensive versions, and the small screen size is an excuse that they use. I have no issues using the keyboard in my Apple Watch 7.
Whoever you were speaking with is misinformed. No Apple Watch SE generation has access to the keyboard and the WatchOS has nothing to do with it. So the real answer is NO, you cannot have the Apple Keyboard on any Apple Watch SE.
That said, you can go to the app store on your watch and download an app called FlickType, which will give you a keyboard, but due to the smaller size of an Apple Watch SE screen, you will likely find it frustrating to type on.
It's a free app, but it does offer In-App Purchases, so you have to have a valid payment method tied to your Apple Account. I have no experience with it all as my watch is Apple Watch Ultra, which does have the keyboard. And even with the largest Apple Watch every sold (the screen is the largest of them all), typing on Apple Watch is not easy. I use voice dictation more than anything, which you already have access to on your Apple Watch SE.
Hello Glasses17,
Thank you for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. Only the Apple Watch Series 7 or later will have the expanded keyboard. That information is outlined here: About watchOS 9 Updates - Apple Support
If you need additional assistance, you can contact Apple Support through this link here: Get Support
Kind regards.
I was speaking with a man at apple support this morning via chat when I was awaiting a reply here and he said it does have a keyboard you can type on so I guess I’m just getting conflicting information here. It would make sense that with the watchOS update it should be able to get a keyboard as the watch is still being sold and is technically not an outdated model. Is there a reason it is not compatible with a keyboard (screen not large enough?)
While the SE 44mm is only 1mm smaller than the Series 7 45mm, the actual display is larger. The SE 44mm has 977 sq mm display, while the Series 7 has a 1143 sq mm display.
Granted, it still may be a marketing thing, as the 41mm Series 7 has a 904 sq mm display, which is 73 sq mm smaller than the SE 44mm.
Then again, it may be feature parity. Users would expect the same features from all watches of the same model, regardless of screen size. The SE 40mm’s 759 sq mm display would be too small for the keyboard, even though the 44mm would be large enough.
In short, the smaller SE would be too small for the keyboard, and Apple wanting feature parity across both sizes wouldn’t want to restrict the feature to the larger size. Instead, they opted to lock it to the higher end models.
Side note, I have no personal experience with the keyboard on Apple Watch, but I would assume it’d be a miserable typing experience. Just use dictation, swipe to type, or smart replies. They’re much more efficient than trying to tap the tiny keys (unless you have an Ultra, as that 49mm display is just massive).
Thanks so much! Better to know the truth beforehand!! Is the flick type keyboard free to use or do you need to pay for it at all?
081890525
Can the SE 2nd Gen Apple Watch have keyboard if software is WatchOS9?
