What is happening
From 15 August 2026, Hole19 will no longer support Apple Watch devices running watchOS 8 or 9.
Apple stopped supporting these watchOS versions some time ago. We kept the Hole19 watch app working on them for as long as we could, because many golfers were still using it during their rounds. The next version of Apple's development tools removes our ability to build and maintain the watch app for watchOS 8 and 9, so we have to make this change.
This affects the Apple Watch app only. The Hole19 app on your iPhone is not affected.
How to check your watchOS version
On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then tap About.
- Look at the watchOS Version.
You can also check from your iPhone: open the Watch app, then tap General and About.
What this means for you
There are two situations, depending on whether your watch can update.
If your watch can update to watchOS 10 or higher, you are not affected. Just update your watch and you can keep using Hole19 as normal, with all the latest features. To update, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General, then tap Software Update and follow the steps.
If your version is watchOS 8 or 9 and your watch cannot update any higher, this change applies to you. Read on for what to expect and your options.
What it means in practice
After 15 August 2026, your iPhone will continue to receive Hole19 updates as usual, but your Apple Watch will not be able to install them. Over time, the two versions drift apart. That mismatch makes the watch experience unreliable and eventually unusable.
How to keep using Hole19 on your watch a little longer
If you want to keep using the watch app for now, you can stop your iPhone and watch from drifting apart by turning off automatic app updates in the App Store. This keeps both on the same version for as long as possible. It is a short-term option, not a permanent fix.
How to turn off automatic updates on your iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then tap App Store.
- Turn off App Updates.
Apple's full guide is here: How to manually update apps from the App Store.
With automatic updates off, you can choose when to update each app manually, letting you keep Hole19 in sync across both devices.
How to keep the full experience going forward
To keep getting the latest Hole19 features on your wrist, you will need an Apple Watch that can run a newer version of watchOS. Your iPhone app continues to work normally either way.
Still need help?
If you have any questions about this change, contact our team, and we will be glad to help.
Comments