Apple Releases watchOS 5 and watchOS 8 Updates to Keep FaceTime and iMessage Running on Older Apple Watches - MacRumors
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Apple Releases watchOS 5 and watchOS 8 Updates to Keep FaceTime and iMessage Running on Older Apple Watches

Apple today released watchOS 5.3.10 and watchOS 8.8.2 for older Apple Watch models that are not able to run the current watchOS 26 update. watchOS 5.3.10 is available for the Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, and Series 4, while watchOS 8.8.2 is available for the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, and original Apple Watch SE.

apple watch se red
According to Apple's release notes, the updates extend the certificate that features like device activation, iMessage, and FaceTime need to function. The certificate update ensures that these apps and features will continue to work after January 2027, which is when the existing certificate was set to expire.

watchOS 8 is the final version of watchOS that's supported on the Apple Watch Series 3.

watchOS 5 is the final version of watchOS able to be installed on an Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 2 using an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus. The Series 1 and Series 2 do support watchOS 6, but installing watchOS 6 requires an iPhone 6s or later.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

1984 Mac Guru Avatar
5 hours ago at 04:29 pm

You can't FaceTime on an Apple Watch.
FaceTime audio
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6 hours ago at 03:44 pm
Cool that they're doing this.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
4 hours ago at 05:17 pm

FaceTime audio
"FaceTime Audio" seems like an oxymoron. I mean, it's basically "Faceless FaceTime". :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6 hours ago at 03:54 pm

Cool that they're doing this.
You can't FaceTime on an Apple Watch.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)