I got an Apple watch and I’m trying to set it up but it is asking to update to IOS 17 and I have an iPhone 8 Plus, is there any way to work around this?

A new Apple Watch (running watchOS 10+) requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or greater.

An iPhone 8+, released by Apple six years ago, cannot run iOS 17. A newer iPhone is required.

Please what iWatch series are you using?

That’s a second generation Apple Watch SE.

But assuming it is brand new and sold with watchOS 10, it doesn’t matter. My answer above applies.

Glad that helped.

Enjoy your Apple gear.