watchOS 11 Rumored to Drop Support for Apple Watch Series 4

Apple's upcoming watchOS 11 update will drop support for 2018's Apple Watch Series 4, according to iPhoneSoft.

apple watch series 4 flames
After five years of receiving the latest software updates, Apple Watch Series 3 lost support upon the release of watchOS 9 in 2022. Last year's watchOS 10 update was compatible with all of the same Apple Watch models as watchOS 9, but a new rumor claims that watchOS 11 will drop support for the oldest currently supported Apple smartwatch: the Apple Watch Series 4. The full device compatibility list for watchOS 11 is said to be as follows:

  • Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)
  • Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
  • Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
  • Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
  • Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)
  • Apple Watch SE (first generation, 2020)
  • Apple Watch SE (second generation, 2022)
  • Apple Watch Ultra (first generation, 2022)
  • Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

The Apple Watch Series 4 debuted alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in 2018, introducing the device's first ever redesign, a larger display, double the amount of storage, Fall Detection, and the ability to take an ECG.

Last year, iOS 17 dropped support for the iPhone X, but iOS 18 is rumored to support all of the same models as its predecessor. Apple is expected to preview watchOS 11, iOS 18, and its other next-generation software updates at WWDC on June 10. The updates will likely release to the public in the fall.

Related Roundups: watchOS 10, watchOS 11
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years

Monday July 22, 2024 4:02 pm PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. New 'Slim' Design Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4

Tuesday July 23, 2024 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Monday July 22, 2024 7:22 am PDT by
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous ...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...

Top Rated Comments

Babu Life Avatar
16 weeks ago
kinda lame when my series 4 works perfectly still
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
simbo123 Avatar
16 weeks ago
This will be disappointing if true because the Series 4 SIP is the same (performance wise) as the Series 5 and SE 1st Gen.

Would be better if they supported Series 4 one more year and then dropped all three devices.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nekronos Avatar
16 weeks ago

whenever someone accuses Apple of doing planned obsolescence, years of software updates immediately destroy their argument.
On the contrary it supports said argument, Windows has always surpassed MacOS in terms of years of updates and android has now surpassed iOS for updates.

Given the touted quality and longevity of Apple's hardware, one would expect more years of updates but going back to the planned obsolescence argument, it's clear Apple wants you to upgrade your device every few years - and why wouldn't they, they make their money on hardware, not software.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
truthsteve Avatar
16 weeks ago
whenever someone accuses Apple of doing planned obsolescence, years of software updates immediately destroy their argument.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scrapesleon Avatar
16 weeks ago
Doesn’t make sense when the series 5 is basically the same spec
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Motawa Avatar
16 weeks ago

I get the business case here for Apple -- but seriously, for a WATCH, they can't even support an older version's basic ability to even just show the current time and date?

My old Casio G-Shocks never had this problem. /ducks
I got some news for you: The series 4 does NOT explode when watchOS 11 comes.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)