Apple Watch Series 4 fails to update WatchOS 8.8.1 to 10.6.1

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Apple Watch Series 4 fails to update WatchOS 8.8.1 to 10.6.1

I was donated Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS, 44mm case Model: A1978) 2018 with WatchOS 8.8.1.

It seems it should run up to WatchOS 10.6.1 but it refuses to update (*):

In Apple Watch Update Settings there is an error: "Can not search updates. When searching updates there was an error. Try again."

In the paired iPhone SE 2017 iOS 15.8.3 Watch.app Update Settings there is an alert "If you want to update Apple Watch you must first update the iPhone. > Open Update settings" but of course that is not possible for that old iPhone which is already running the latest supported iOS.

So it seems I need a newer paired iPhone that can run a newer iOS (how new?) in order to update the WatchOS, right? If yes, would a workaround be to temporarily pair the Apple Watch to a friend's newer iPhone and update it?

Or is there any compelling reason to update from WatchOS 8.8.1 to 10.6.1 anyway? Would WatchOS 10.6.1 work with the old iOS 15.8.3 and is there any extra benefit compared to WatchOS 8.8.1?

(*) I have rebooted both devices and reset the Apple Watch to factory defaults. Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. I have also tried to disable Bluetooth in the Apple Watch per some recommendation.

Posted on Nov 14, 2024 11:54 PM

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Answer 1

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Matti Haveri Author

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Dec 27, 2024 8:07 AM in response to Ingo2711

Just FYI. I updated to a newer old iPhone running iOS 16.7.10 and it allowed that Apple Watch Series 4 to update to WatchOS 9.6.3 (I inherit devices I have bought to my children when I buy them new ones :-).

I was curious and confirmed that my old iPhone with iOS 15.8.3 then refuses to pair with the updated Apple Watch and it is not possible to downgrade WatchOS.

WatchOS 9.6.3 seems nice but surprisingly SportsTracker does not seem to support it while it worked OK with WatchOS 8.8.1. So I must revert to the Apple's app when jogging (or start carrying the iPhone with me). On the other hand, Apple's newer Podcast app seems to better sync podcasts for off-line listening while in the older version it was very unreliable and random when the Watch decided to see and sync the new podcasts no matter what variation in the workflow I used.

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Answer 2

Nov 15, 2024 12:38 AM in response to Matti Haveri

You would need an iPhone running at least iOS 17 to install watchOS 10.

And updating the watch using another iPhone will not work, because you will not be able to pair your watch to your iPhone still on iOS 15. watchOS 9 requires iOS 16.

You can compare the different features in these articles:

About watchOS 8 Updates - Apple Support

About watchOS 9 Updates - Apple Support

About watchOS 10 Updates - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Matti Haveri Author

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21,250 points

Nov 15, 2024 1:23 AM in response to Ingo2711

Ingo2711 wrote:

You would need an iPhone running at least iOS 17 to install watchOS 10.

And updating the watch using another iPhone will not work, because you will not be able to pair your watch to your iPhone still on iOS 15. watchOS 9 requires iOS 16.

Thanks a lot for the info.

So an old iPhone with iOS 15.8.3 can not pair with WatchOS 10. An academic question: Is it possible to downgrade such WatchOS to 8.8.1? iOS is impossible to downgrade after a certain period but is WatchOS different in this regard?

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Answer 4

Nov 15, 2024 2:02 AM in response to Matti Haveri

If at all, downgrading the Apple Watch may only be possible, if you visit an Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Service Provider.

Apple - Find Locations

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Apple Watch Series 4 fails to update WatchOS 8.8.1 to 10.6.1

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