Is there a way to use Series 1 Apple Watch for Basic Functions?

Is there no way to recycle with apple for some sort of rebate? I just found the one my Mom gave my husband and he never even activated.

It is technology that happens to be in Watch form. There is no such thing as a tech product being infinitely non-obsolete. It can’t and won’t be infinitely supported. It can’t and won’t be infinitely able to work with other technologies (like newer phones or with newer OS). Parts can’t and won’t infinitely be available to replace or repair it. That’s just not realistic. If you purchase a tech gadget for the jewelry aspect of it it’s the wrong move. It does not increase in value like true expensive jewelry would (that is well taken care of). “Real” jewelry doesn’t rely on firmware or software updates. Doesn’t require a rechargeable battery, access to electricity, WiFi, etc.

What exactly is happening with your watch? Will it no longer power on? Some sort of damage? Something else physically going on (not including the inability to connect to a phone or function with some apps due to its incompatibility with iOS or newer WatchOS)? Might help someone give you some suggestions. But if it’s because of it incompatibility….that’s just a reality and nothing you can do.

Then honestly…you have to think that about every single technology provider. It’s not an Apple slap to the face. It is the nature of technology. All technology. Regardless of brand. Expecting something different is not understanding the very nature of technology. Generally, Apple tends to support their products with updates and compatibility much longer than some other brands. And I say all of this not being loyal to Apple.

If your primary purpose of buying a watch is time telling then a smart watch is absolutely not the route to go. It’s not realistic. 200 year old watches don’t use batteries of any type number one. So you’re trying to equate apples to dinosaurs. Definitely the wrong thing to even try to use in a debate. Ultimately, you know why your watch can no longer be used the way that you want. It was time to upgrade if you wanted to continue to use an Apple Watch and a compatible iPhone. Being a loyalist like you state it’s surprising that you would dig in so deeply about old tech that had stopped being supported 3+ years ago. Hope you enjoy your new watch.

Okay, so you’ve learned a lesson. Resolve not to buy another smartwatch and go back to a mechanical or electric movement. You will find the same technology issues in other brands of smartwatches as well, not just Apple. Buying a smartwatch and expecting it to be supported forever isn’t part of the deal. Technology marches on and software advances.

I have a series 4 watch that I paid over $600.00 for. It’s now getting close to the end of its support life and I have a decision to make, same as you.

Oh, and I have a series 0 watch in the drawer, the first one that came out. It would need a new battery but wouldn’t be worth it because it cannot be used with current iPhone models.

Maybe you have a friend or family that would allow you to pair your watch with their older iPhone, signing in on your iCloud on their device. Then you could adjust time and date, log out of their iPhone, but since you're still online on your iCloud on your own device, it could get your messages if you're lucky.

Or look for a cheap old iPhone on marketplace.

My wife has an iPhone 12 and an series 1 Apple watch and she is still able to use her watch regularly. I have the iPhone 12 mini and the same watch, but I cant update the watch to use it. The only difference is I wasn't using my watch regularly and my wife was....btw my phone telling me 3-6 day to download update to watch

I have a (1st generation - aka Series 0) watch working with iPhone XR. (both are cast-offs from my son I recently dusted off)

Then this week I had a problem when the iPhone XR was updated to IOS 17.4 - the watch lost connection.

I struggled to re-pair it - the phone would go into a continuous process of checking for updates for the watch.

I reset the watch several times without changing the result.

Eventually I found it could be got working again by pairing manually - the trick here is that all you are offered is to pair by camera - but if you start that process and don't use the camera for pairing there is some way to get to pairing by a code number (might also have to select this on the watch).

No reason to think this makes a difference but watch is Model A1553 Part MJ2T2CH/A software version 4.3.2(15U70)

and phone is Model MT192CH/A (sold on Chinese market)

PreferSimplicity wrote:

Really not interested in anything engineered to attempt you to upgrade or replace for a supposedly better model. The sell isn’t relevant anymore.

Then I guess you won't be buying any electronics from any company from now on. You’ve boxed yourself in. Good luck.

Ok

I can tell time and date fine on mine, not sure whats up with blaine’s

They just can’t pair it to the new phone because it’s not compatible with watchOS 10.