Subsequently, why is my Apple Watch not connecting to Wi-Fi? Restarting both devices should fix the issue. Press and hold the side button of your device screen. Slide to power off the watch. Hold down the side button again to switch on.
Similarly, how do I connect my Wi-Fi to my watch?If your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular When your iPhone is off or out of range, your Apple Watch can use a Wi-Fi network to send and receive data. Your watch can also connect to a cellular network if it’s a cellular model.
Why won’t my Apple Watch pair with my phone?
Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap again to confirm. Wait for the watch to unpair. After the Apple Watch unpairs completely, you can pair again.
How do I update my Apple Watch without it being paired?
- On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it.
- Wait for the progress wheel to appear on your Apple Watch.
How do I manually pair my Apple Watch?
To turn on your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. Bring your iPhone near your Apple Watch, wait for the Apple Watch pairing screen to appear on your iPhone, then tap Continue. Or open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap Pair New Watch.
Why does my Apple Watch not connect to my phone when not on Wi-Fi?
Try removing and re-pairing the Apple Watch to your iPhone So your Apple Watch and iPhone are both updated to the latest version, and Airplane Mode is not turned on.
Does Apple Watch use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
Apple Watch pairs with an iPhone using Bluetooth 4.0. Apple Watch will also stay connected to an iPhone using Wi-Fi, as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Can an Apple Watch be set up without an iPhone?
Family Setup in watchOS 7 and later lets family members who don’t have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.
Can Apple Watch connect to iPhone through Wi-Fi?
Your Apple Watch can connect to a Wi-Fi network: If your iPhone, while connected to your watch with Bluetooth, has connected to the network before.
How do I pair my watch with a new phone?
How do I know if my Apple Watch is pairing?
Where is Apple Watch manually paired icon?
If you need to pair (or re-pair) your Apple Watch, you can start the process manually using the “i” icon on the watch itself.
Where is the i icon on Apple Watch pairing?
There will be a Start pairing button on the watch to guide you through an automatic process. You’ll see the circled ‘i’ on that screen, which can help you with a manual pairing process if the automatic way isn’t working. You’ll also see this information icon on the screen displaying the scannable circle code.
How do I reset my Apple Watch without paired phone?
- Connect the watch to its charging cable, with power connected.
- Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider.
- Press firmly on the display (do not try to slide the Power Off slider – just press down more firmly than a normal tap) and then tap on Erase all content and settings.
Can I use Apple Watch without Bluetooth?
You do not need to keep Bluetooth on for Apple Watch. However, it is strongly recommended that you leave it on so that your watch can use the most power-efficient connection available. Otherwise, it will try to connect via Wi-Fi or – if you have it – cellular.
How do I set up my new Apple Watch?
- Turn on your Apple Watch and put it on.
- Hold your Apple Watch close to your iPhone.
- Hold your iPhone over the animation.
- Set up as new or restore from a backup.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose your settings.
- Create a passcode.
- Choose features and apps.
Does it take a long time to pair Apple Watch?
Keep in mind, it may take up to 90 minutes to complete the setup process. This involves Bluetooth pairing, app downloads and cellular setup. The exact time is dependent upon the apps you choose to download and the OS of your devices.
Apple Watch is one of Apple’s most breathtaking technology. Smart, functional, and compact, the Watch is so much more than what its name suggests. In a nutshell, it’s a smartphone shaped like a stylish accessory.
If you’re among those whose bucket list is topped by the Apple Watch, then you might have wondered whether you need an iPhone for the Apple Watch to work.
The simple answer is yes. Apple Watches are designed to be functional as a companion device to an iPhone, not as a standalone device.
However, is that to say that an Apple Watch has zero functionality and usability without an iPhone tagging along? The answer is no. There are features of the Watch you can capitalize on only with a connected iPhone nearby, whereas other features work independently. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Table of Contents
- First Things First: Setting up an Apple Watch
- Using an Apple Watch Without the Paired iPhone
- On Cellular
- On Wi-Fi
- Without Any Wi-Fi Connection or Cellular Connection
- Using Multiple Apple Watches on One iPhone
- Final Note
First Things First: Setting up an Apple Watch
This is the initial most stage, where you don’t want an iPhone; you need it. You can not set up your Apple watch without pairing it with an iPhone.
If you’re wondering whether there’s some way around using Apple Watch with another phone, then that’s beating around the bush; you won’t get anywhere. You should also note that even among iOS products, Apple Watches can only be set up and paired to iPhones, not even iPads, or iMac.
Connecting the Watch to the iPhone works through Bluetooth, and the setup is done using the Watch app on your phone.
Using an Apple Watch Without the Paired iPhone
This is what you’re looking for. To make this simple to understand, let’s make a distinction.
When you do not have your connected iPhone in the vicinity of your apple watch, you can use the Watch in three ways; either on your cellular network or a nearby Wi-Fi connection or in the absence of either.
On Cellular
To use your Apple Watch on a cellular network, you need to ensure that your Apple Watch model is a cellular one. A GPS configuration option in the Watch is also required. Given the cellular connection and the GPS, you can use your Watch whenever you have signals from your carrier.
What are the functions that are still available on your cellular Apple Watch without the paired iPhone nearby and with a cellular model?
- Send and receive messages.
- Make and answer phone calls.
- Use Siri app
- Stream Music through Apple Music
- Check the weather
- Listen to podcasts and audiobooks.
- Use all the time-related apps (Watch, timer, stopwatch, etc.)
- Make purchases with Apple Pay.
- Track your activity and workout
- Check your essentials (heart rate, blood oxygen levels, etc.)
Although Apple Watches are companion gadgets that cannot be used solely independently, a cellular model of Apple Watch with an activated cellular plan is truly the most independent version of available Apple Watches you can get.
Moreover, you may also want to keep in consideration that Apple Watches come with a built-in GPS that enables them to get more accurate information about your location and speed as you engage in an outdoor workout without your iPhone.
If you’ve got an Apple Watch Series 3, an Apple Watch Series 4, or an Apple Watch Series 5, then you can even gain information regarding elevation gain/descent. With Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6, this information is even more accurate.
On Wi-Fi
Now, if you plan to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby, but in the presence of an internet connection, then there’s a lot you can do! This applies even if your phone is nearby but powered off.
However, note that your Apple Watch will only connect to a Wi-Fi network that was previously connected to your iPhone.
Without the iPhone, you can use the following features on your apple watch through an available Wi-Fi network in the close range:
- Get apps from the App Store.
- Use iMessage
- Make and receive phone calls (you can use Wi-Fi calling here if enabled. Otherwise, FaceTime audio calls can work)
- Listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
- Track your stocks
- Use Siri app
- Get weather updates
- Use walkie-talkie
- Control your home
- Buy on Apple Pay
- Use time-related apps
- Use any third-party apps that require a Wi-Fi network connection.
Without Any Wi-Fi Connection or Cellular Connection
While this is the most limited way for you to use your Apple Watch, it does go on to show that even without being connected to Wi-Fi or any cellular network while being away from your iPhone, the Apple Watch isn’t entirely useless.
So, in places such as mountain tops, sea, or hiking, where wi-fi networks or cellular signals are not available, your compact gadget can still come in handy.
Here’s the host of things you can still do on your Apple Watch:
- Track your workout
- Use time-based apps
- See photos from synced photo albums.
- Use recorder
- Track your sleep and menstrual cycle
- Make purchases with Apple Pay.
- Listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
- Check your heart rate and blood oxygen level (with the Blood Oxygen app)
That’s about enough to keep you from getting bored and maintaining your fitness. Suitable for desperate times, right?
Using Multiple Apple Watches on One iPhone
As covered earlier, you need an iPhone to set up an Apple Watch. However, does that mean every Apple watch needs a unique iPhone to connect to? Absolutely not.
Through Family Setup, one family member who owns an iPhone can connect with other family members’ multiple Apple Watches.
This feature is a courtesy of the latest iOS 14 and watchOS 7 releases. However, you need an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 7 or later to set up the Family Setup game.
The watches need to be either Apple Watch Series 4 or later with cellular or an Apple Watch SE with cellular and watchOS 7 or later.
All Apple Watches connected through Family Setup can be used for multiple features, including making and receiving calls and using iMessage, among many others. The use of third-party apps, however, is dependent upon internet availability.
Final Note
So, with that, we can see that an Apple Watch is a pretty useful gadget, with or without being connected to the paired iPhone, a Wi-Fi network, or a working cellular plan.
Although, of course, when you use your apple watch with your paired iPhone and Wi-Fi, the performance is maximized. But through Apple Watch’s functionality laid out here, we hope that you see how worthy of an investment it still is!