When developing my first iPhone+Watch app, how much should I care about iOS 16 and WatchOS 9 compatibility? Put another way, how much to invest in testing hardware? Should I develop for what I have and worry about legacy compatibility later?

I'll put a laundry list of clarifications & follow-up questions specific to my projects below the wall of #hashtag spam.

#askatp #iOSdev #iOSprogramming #iPhoneDevelopment (no idea which of those is best) #WatchDev #adviceWanted #programming

• What's your current hardware setup?
- Two non-pro iPhones (thanks, #PoGo)—one on iOS 17 and the other still on iOS 16. Neither have the dynamic island.
- A Series 7 Apple Watch, currently on WatchOS 9. I'm conflicted about upgrading to 10 now or in the spring (once biking season resumes).

• When do you anticipate a launch?
- Sometime in Summer 2024, depending on how much dev time I have while flapping my wings to travel this winter. [gotta stay in character]

• Will it have companion iPad or Mac apps?
- Ideally, yes. However, those will wait until after the essentials are finished on the iPhone+Watch.
- Current monetization plans are to have the personal experience on iPhone+Watch be free. Broadcasting to a room, either on an Apple TV app or via AirPlay, would be a paid feature.

• What communication possibilities exist between two iPhones when neither has an internet connection?
- This is for a different project. Ideally, it's a 2-player game that can be played peer-to-peer even if neither player can access the internet (so long as they're in reasonable physical proximity for #Bluetooth or AirDrop).