iPhone XS Max (iOS 18.7) and Apple Watch 7 (11.6.1) incompatible!

There is a problem with the latest updates!!!!!!!!

After updating my iPhone XS Max to iOS 18.7 It is NOT possible to update my Apple Watch 7 to watch OS 11.6.1

My iPhone is up to date! When I open the Watch software update on the iPhone it tells me to update my iPhone IOS. When I try to update the watch within the Watch OS software update settings it tells me that there is a problem. I have shut down and restarted both devices. Nothing works. I am now the sad owner of an Apple Watch 7 (gps) that cannot be updated.

I already updated to 18.7 !!!!!

this is NOT normal. Please beta test your updates!!!!!

Thanks for any help.

[Edited by Moderator]

Apple Watch Series 7, watchOS 11

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 5:25 PM

29 replies

Nov 1, 2025 4:49 AM in response to quanhApple

ah - your comment is back (it had been removed??*edit - it appears then disappears - what is going on? -see screengrab ) - what model phone? - mine is Xr 18.7.1 and does NOT allow apple watch to update !

LD150

Level 10

100,485 points

Nov 1, 2025 10:44 AM in response to Andrew Beardsmore

Andrew Beardsmore wrote:

ah - your comment is back (it had been removed??*edit - it appears then disappears - what is going on? -see screengrab ) - ...

Your thread sort order is "Rank". For some reason their forumic majesties have decided that that is a neat idea, but you will keep losing responses as the order changes like the weather.

Go to your forum preferences and change default order to Oldest,

Sep 15, 2025 6:45 PM in response to geoMac Barcelona

Above should read: It is NOT possible to update my Apple Watch 7 from Watch OS 11.6.1 to Watch OS 26

Sep 16, 2025 4:15 AM in response to Branta_uk

Submitted my report. Apple hasn't updated its pulldown menu in the form, so I can't select the current Watch nor iPhone software that I am using.

[Edited by Moderator]

LD150

Level 10

100,485 points

Sep 19, 2025 2:24 AM in response to geoMac Barcelona

"Submitted my report. Apple hasn't updated its pulldown menu in the form, so I can't select the current Watch nor iPhone software that I am using."

That has been the situation for many years.

Sep 19, 2025 7:51 AM in response to LD150

Already done that with a iPhone 15 Plus with 18.7 Os Updated.

result is same. Same error!

LD150

Level 10

100,485 points

Sep 19, 2025 9:15 AM in response to SSDEOKULE

SSDEOKULE wrote:

Already done that with a iPhone 15 Plus with 18.7 Os Updated.

result is same. Same error!

Unwise.

Stick with the XR and persevere.

Sep 20, 2025 1:19 AM in response to SSDEOKULE

My Son who has a Iphone 16 Pro Max & Watch 8 is also facing the same issue. He is also using Ios 18.7.

[Edited by Moderator]

Sep 25, 2025 2:41 AM in response to geoMac Barcelona

Me too, iphone 11 ios 18.7 and AW 7 cannot update to 11.6.1, always this error. Of course my device is connected to Internet!

[Edited by Moderator]

Emelmar

Level 1

8 points

Sep 24, 2025 7:40 PM in response to geoMac Barcelona

Bad advice, I have 15pro max and I have the same trouble (updating failure).

LD150

Level 10

100,485 points

Sep 25, 2025 2:41 AM in response to Emelmar

Emelmar wrote:

Bad advice, I have 15pro max and I have the same trouble (updating failure).

No the comment was true for them, maybe not for you.

Sep 26, 2025 9:59 AM in response to geoMac Barcelona

I am also facing the same issue.

iPhone XR:18.7

Apple watch 7: OS:11.6.1

Unable to update apple watch from the watch or phone.

I am looking for a solution.

Sep 26, 2025 10:00 AM in response to geoMac Barcelona

I am also facing the same issue.

iPhone XR:18.7

Apple watch 7: OS:11.6.1

Unable to update apple watch from the watch or phone.

I am looking for a solution.

Sep 19, 2025 3:02 AM in response to LD150

Good advice about not pairing Watch with a newer iPhone and trying to pair it back to my antiquated iPhone XS Max. Apple should be more clear about which iPhones can pair with the latest WatchOS. Sadly, I have an updatable Watch that can’t be updated because my iPhone XS Max was cut off from ios26. Now I have 2 devices that are not updatable instead of one.

iPhone XS Max (iOS 18.7) and Apple Watch 7 (11.6.1) incompatible!