Apple Watch - Set Up in Standalone Mode (Set Up for a Family Member) (2024)

FAQs

Why can't I set up an Apple Watch for a family member? ›

Your Apple ID needs to have two-factor authentication turned on. A Family Sharing group that includes the person who'll use the Apple Watch. You need to have the role of organizer or parent/guardian to set up an Apple Watch for a family member.

The watch doesn't need to be connected to the same carrier as your Apple® iPhone® when setting up in Standalone mode for a family member. An Apple ID for yourself and one for the family member using the watch is needed. Your Apple ID needs to have two-factor authentication turned on.

Family Setup support.

Family Setup allows you to use your iPhone to set up an Apple Watch for kids or older adults in your household. The watch can then be used with its own phone number and account.

Setting up Family Setup on an Apple Watch is not unlike setting up an Apple Watch for yourself. The main difference is that you need to create an Apple ID for your child during the process, which the Watch app on the iPhone walks you through.

Note: An Apple Watch set up for a family member is limited in some of its interactions with the iPhone used to set it up. For example, you can't unlock a paired iPhone from an Apple Watch you set up for a family member, nor can you hand off tasks from the managed Apple Watch to the iPhone.

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.

In the past you couldn't use an Apple Watch if you didn't have an iPhone. But with the Family Setup feature, you can set up an Apple Watch for your child or other members of your family.

* A cellular plan isn't required to set up an Apple Watch for a family member, but is necessary for some features.

You don't need to remember or use the number assigned to Watch. If you want Watch to be able to initiate and receive phone calls while located away from iPhone, then you will need an add-on to the iPhone cellular plan, as mentioned above.

Cellular is not required to make or take calls or send or receive messages. However, you will need either the paired iPhone nearby, or if the iPhone is not nearby, a Wifi connection for the watch, and for the paired iPhone to be on, and have a cellular data connection or wifi available as well.

Can I use my Apple Watch without connecting to my iPhone? ›

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby

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.

Press the Digital Crown to see the Home screen, then tap the App Store. Tap Search to find apps using Scribble or Dictation or scroll down to discover featured apps and curated app collections. Tap an app to see its description, ratings and reviews, screenshots, release notes, and more. Tap the price or tap Get.

If you still can't add a friend, make sure that they have an Apple Watch and that you haven't added the maximum number of friends. You can add up to 40 friends.

Note: An Apple Watch set up for a family member is limited in some of its interactions with the iPhone used to set it up. For example, you can't unlock a paired iPhone from an Apple Watch you set up for a family member, nor can you hand off tasks from the managed Apple Watch to the iPhone.

Check your Family Sharing settings

Make sure that you're using the same Apple ID for Family Sharing and Media & Purchases. And make sure that purchase sharing is turned on. Then ask your family members to check their settings too.