About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

What is the Bluetooth Wi-Fi and cellular on my Apple Watch? ›

Your Apple Watch uses Bluetooth when your iPhone is near, which conserves power. If Bluetooth isn't available, your Apple Watch will try to use Wi-Fi. For example, if compatible Wi-Fi is available and your iPhone isn't in Bluetooth range, your Apple Watch uses Wi-Fi.

Your Apple Watch uses Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and cellular to stay in constant contact with your iPhone. To disable these wireless connections, turn Airplane mode on. For additional help, refer to: Apple Watch Support.

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. And if you've set up an Apple Watch for a family member, they can use a cellular or Wi-Fi connection with their watch.

Open the app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, tap Cellular, then scroll to the Cellular Data Usage section. , then turn Cellular on or off. Turning on cellular for extended periods uses more battery power. Also, some apps might not update without a connection to your iPhone.

If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone isn't with you or is turned off. Your Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.

With Apple Watch with cellular and a cellular connection to the same carrier used by your iPhone, you can make calls, reply to messages, use Walkie-Talkie, stream music and podcasts, receive notifications, and more, even when you don't have your iPhone or a Wi-Fi connection.

You only have to pay if you want to use your watch as a phone, independently of your iPhone. No, you do not have to pay a monthly charge to use your watch. As long as you have your paired iPhone with you, you can answer and make calls from your watch, send messages, etc., without paying the $10 monthly fee.

You WANT the Apple Watch to be using Bluetooth as much as possible so you will have the longest battery life.

When your Apple Watch is disconnected — for example, if you're hiking in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular signal, or your iPhone is off — you can still do these things. Track your workouts. See the time and use the Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch apps. Track your activity goals.

By connecting your Apple Watch to a Wi-Fi network, you can continue to use many of its features, even when you don't have your iPhone with you.

How to tell if an Apple Watch is connected to cellular? ›

The Main Differences

The main difference between the Apple Watch GPS and the cellular model is the ability to connect to a network. The cellular model allows you a direct connection without having your phone present. This even supports using the GPS on your Apple Watch without requiring your phone.

With Apple Watch with cellular and an activated cellular plan, you can stay connected even when away from your iPhone. For all other models of Apple Watch, there are still things you can do even when you are away from your iPhone and not connected to Wi-Fi.

Enable Low Power Mode.

Low Power Mode prolongs battery life by turning off always-on display, limiting the cellular and Wi-Fi connections of your Apple Watch, and disabling background sensor readings including heart rate measurements, high and low heart rate notifications, and irregular rhythm notifications.

Battery Efficiency

Since Bluetooth smartwatches primarily connect to your smartphone for communication and data synchronization, they tend to have better battery life than LTE watches. You won't need to worry about the device searching for cellular networks.

If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular

With a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, your Apple Watch can do the following things, even if your iPhone isn't with you. Make and answer phone calls. Send and receive messages. Use Siri to get directions, send iMessages, and more.

The icon dims and your device disconnects from any network that you're connected to.