How do I pair my Apple Watch 9 to my iPhone 8?

If Apple Watch 9 won’t pair with my 8 plus iPhone will an Apple Watch 8 pair

Your iPhone 8 Plus, which cannot be updated to iOS 17, is not capable of supporting your Series 9 Watch. As stated in Apple Watch Series 9 - Technical Specifications

"Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch SE require iPhone Xs or later with iOS 17 or later.

Features are subject to change. Some features, applications, and services may not be available in all regions or all languages."

suzee193 wrote:

If Apple Watch 9 won’t pair with my 8 plus iPhone will an Apple Watch 8 pair

If and ONLY IF, the Apple Watch Series 8 is running watchOS 9.

If the Series 8 Apple Watch has been upgraded to watchOS 10, it will not pair to the iPhone 8.

watchOS 10 requires an iPhone XS, XR or newer.