Retail Apple Watches Still Have a Hidden Diagnostic Port [Updated]

The Apple Watch became available for pre-orders on Friday as well as for try-on appointments in Apple retail stores around the world.

One MacRumors reader, Louis, was able to slip off the bottom band during his Apple Watch try-on appointment to discover that the hidden diagnostic port on early models still remains in the retail versions.

diagnostic-apple-watch
The presence of the diagnostic port was first reported in March by TechCrunch with speculation that it could eventually open up the market for "smart" band accessories that can interface with the Apple Watch, itself. Apple, however, has made no such promises and doesn't even acknowledge the presence of the port in any official documentation. Louis also reports the retail staff had no training on the use of the port.

Thanks Louis

Update: John Gruber notes that his review unit has the port, but it is covered up:

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
iPhone 16e Bottom Crop

Apple Reportedly Unveiling a New iPhone Next Week

Tuesday February 10, 2026 1:51 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report said the iPhone 17e will be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website, so do not expect an event for this device specifically. The iPhone 17e will be a spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e. Rumors claim the device will have four key...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Acquires New Database App

Wednesday February 11, 2026 6:44 am PST by
Apple acquired Canadian graph database company Kuzu last year, it has emerged. The acquisition, spotted by AppleInsider, was completed in October 2025 for an undisclosed sum. The company's website was subsequently taken down and its Github repository was archived, as is commonplace for Apple acquisitions. Kuzu was "an embedded graph database built for query speed, scalability, and easy of ...

Top Rated Comments

142 months ago
This could only be in the store versions, so they can load the demo software.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
How do we know they're using retail models?
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoEw Avatar
142 months ago
It's coming, the Mophie :apple:Watch battery strap. :rolleyes:
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kdarling Avatar
142 months ago
John Gruber tweeted that his port was covered up.

Neat. The photo gives the model number: A1554.

Just checked the FCC. No entry for the Apple Watch yet.

--

Although... there are already entries for two magnetic charging cables: A1570 and A1598.

APPLE WATCH MAGNETIC CHARGING CABLE
MODEL NUMBER: A1598



--
OH. And hmm, what's this? An entry for:

APPLE WATCH MAGNETIC CHARGING BRACELET
MODEL NUMBER: A1626




That's a bit different looking. Can't tell if that's a side view, top view or what it is. It also has an unusually small version above the larger more readable one.

The "Apple Confidential" is unusual for this document type, too. This is extra odd.

And why is it called a "BRACELET" ? Is it for store displays? For consumer use? Any guesses?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
entropys Avatar
142 months ago
They will be as useful as those old USB ports that were on Apple TVs.

Hope I'm wrong.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rorschach Avatar
142 months ago
I think it's safe to assume they are. Apple doesn't put anything on the floor that isn't final product.

Like the 32GB iPhone 6 models that are on the floor for demos?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)