The Apple Watch 8 is just as much a piece of invaluable technology as it is a fashion statement. However, given how conservative Apple’s designs are, users might have to look towards the Apple Watch band in order to truly make the most out of their Apple Watch 8.
Apple has an impressive selection of bands to choose from - that much is certain. But, if you had the misfortune of taking a liking to a band that is older, what should you do?
Luckily, Apple Watch bands are not limited to a single particular Apple Watch model, and there are a couple of short rules that govern the compatibility between bands and cases.
Will old Apple Watch bands fit?
In short, some will, but it depends on which size of the Apple Watch 8 you have. Bands for the 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm cases are compatible with any of the former three case sizes, regardless of generation. The same logic applies to the bands for 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm cases, which are also mutually interchangeable.
Hence, you have two main “types" of bands. The first cluster of bands (38mm - 41mm) will be compatible with the 41mm Apple Watch 8, regardless of which model they were originally designed for. The second cluster (42mm - 45mm) will be compatible with the 45mm Apple Watch 8, instead.
The only limitation is that you will not be able to take a band from the first cluster, for example, and use it with a 45mm Apple Watch 8 and vice versa.
Will Apple Watch Ultra bands fit the Apple Watch 8?
But maybe you are not interested in purchasing an old Apple Watch band. Maybe you want to use one originally designed for the shiny new Apple Watch Ultra bands instead?
Fortunately, if you own a 45mm Apple Watch 8, you will be able to do that. However, the smaller 41mm model does not benefit from said privilege.
Good news for Apple Watch Ultra buyers. If you’ve already invested in Apple Watch bands for bigger screen models in the past, those bands will continue to work with the extreme sports version of the new Series 8. Bands designed for the Apple Watch Ultra also work with larger versions of non-Ultra Apple Watches.
Ultra on non-Ultra
Apple includes two notes of clarity when buying Apple Watch bands now that the Apple Watch Ultra is official. This is what you see when buying a new band designed for the Apple Watch Ultra:
The Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band are designed for Apple Watch Ultra and pair best with the 49mm case size. The bands are also compatible with 44mm and 45mm cases.
There’s no mention of the 42mm Apple Watch, but 44mm and 45mm bands share compatibility with this model as well.
Non-Ultra on Ultra
And if you’re buying a band not explicitly designed for the Apple Watch Ultra, this message is included:
…the 45mm bands work with 42mm, 44mm and 49mm cases.
That means Apple has maintained band compatibility from the original 42mm Apple Watch all the way to the Series 8 version of the new 49mm Apple Watch Ultra. If you’ve bought smaller bands for 38/40/41mm, however, those bands will not be compatible.
Overall, this is more compatibility than was to be expected by the dramatically different Apple Watch Ultra prior to it being announced. Apple’s new bands (and Series 8 watches) are available to order today.
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About the Author
Zac Hall
@apollozac
Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.