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  "path": "/2026/03/24/apple-watchos-5-watchos-8-updates/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-24T15:30:31.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.macrumors.com",
  "tags": [
    "watchOS",
    "FaceTime",
    "watchOS 26",
    "Apple Watch",
    "Apple Releases watchOS 5 and watchOS 8 Updates to Keep FaceTime and iMessage Running on Older Apple Watches",
    "MacRumors.com",
    "Discuss this article"
  ],
  "textContent": "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.\n\n\nAccording 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.\n\nwatchOS 8 is the final version of watchOS that's supported on the Apple Watch Series 3.\n\nwatchOS 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.\n\nRelated Roundup: watchOS 26\n\nTag: FaceTime\n\nRelated Forum: Apple Watch\n\n\nThis article, \"Apple Releases watchOS 5 and watchOS 8 Updates to Keep FaceTime and iMessage Running on Older Apple Watches\" first appeared on MacRumors.com\n\nDiscuss this article in our forums\n\n",
  "title": "Apple Releases watchOS 5 and watchOS 8 Updates to Keep FaceTime and iMessage Running on Older Apple Watches"
}