Apple Watch 3 cannot pair with iPhone SE 2016

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Level 1

18 points

Apple Watch 3 cannot pair with iPhone SE 2016

Hi.

my daughter has Watch 3 cellular and iPhone SE 2016. Till yesterday everything worked fine, but after reseting watch, it cannot be paired with se anymore. It unpair by itself after activation and gets into pairing mode.

I’ve checked with three iPhones se 2016 and on every one there is the same problem.

I’ve tried pair with two iphones 13, and it pairs without any issue.

So what have changed, that suddenly watch 3 doesn’t work with se 2016? According to tech spec it should works fine. Anybody can tell me will it works in future?

Posted on Oct 10, 2025 10:13 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

234,858 points

Oct 10, 2025 10:17 AM in response to P____

You really need to replace that phone. It is considered "vintage" by Apple. That means repairs are not likely to be available, and it is not capable of running a supported version of iOS.

If the watch got updated, it's likely no longer compatible with that model phone.

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Answer 2

P____ Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 10, 2025 10:46 AM in response to KiltedTim

Thank You for answer.

both iPhone and watch are running the same os ver as few monts ago. Only iPhone has same update in meanwhile, to 15.8.5, but on 15.8.4 issue apears also.

watch 3 runs watchOS 8.8.1.

I will replace phone, when my kids will need morę smart features, now they use it only for call and texting.

I cannot imagine, that Apple changed something that worked and according to their spec.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 3

P____ Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 10, 2025 11:14 AM in response to KiltedTim

„ Apple may not have changed anything that affected this. The watch may simply be failing”

In that case it wouldn’t pair with any iPhone.

But as i mentioned it can be paired with others iphones (13 and 13 mini) without any issue.

About few months ago it was able to pair, now not, so i supose something has changed.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

234,858 points

Oct 10, 2025 10:47 AM in response to P____

Apple may not have changed anything that affected this. The watch may simply be failing.

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Apple Watch 3 cannot pair with iPhone SE 2016

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