Use your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't nearby – Apple Support (AU) (2024)

FAQs

Use your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't nearby – Apple Support (AU)? ›

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

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.

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.

Yes, it is true that one can use Apple Watch without pairing to iPhone. However, the complete Apple functionality depends on the cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

If your smartwatch has cellular connectivity and is capable of making and receiving phone calls and texts, then you can leave your phone at home and still use your smartwatch to stay connected.

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.

What to Know. Bluetooth on the Apple Watch has a maximum range of 100 meters/330 feet, though the range may be shorter in practice. If the paired iPhone is connected to a known Wi-Fi network, the Apple Watch and iPhone can communicate over Wi-Fi.

Your Apple Watch can make phone calls and send texts even when you're away from your phone.

You can set up and manage Apple Watch for someone who doesn't have their own iPhone—your school-aged child or parent, for example.

You can set up a cellular Apple Watch for a family member who doesn't have their own iPhone. If your cellular carrier supports the use of a managed Apple Watch, you're given the option to add the watch to your plan during setup.

Does your smart watch need to be near your phone to work? ›

Connected to the Internet over Wi-Fi

If your watch supports Wi-Fi, it can stay connected to your phone at any distance when they're both connected to the Internet. To stay connected to your phone, turn on and connect to Wi-Fi on your watch. Not all watches can connect to Wi-Fi. Try turning on Wi-Fi on your watch.

Standalone smartwatches have a built-in cellular connectivity that allows then to make calls or send messages without having it connected to a smartphone. How do you use these accessories? You can access the different functions and settings of your smartwatch by using their touchscreen, dials and buttons.

How far away can my Smartwatch be from my phone and still be connected? The range of the wireless Bluetooth connection between your phone and your smartwatch can vary greatly depending on the environment. In general, you should have at least 10 meters (or 30 feet) of connectivity.

Even away from your iPhone, your Apple Watch can keep track of several important fitness metrics.

Once you set up Apple Pay in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you're ready to make store purchases—even when you don't have your iPhone with you.

Note: If your friend is wearing an Apple Watch with cellular and is sharing their location, but they don't have their iPhone with them, their location will be tracked using their Apple Watch.

You can set up and manage Apple Watch for someone who doesn't have their own iPhone—your school-aged child or parent, for example. To do so, you must be the family organizer or parent/guardian in your Family Sharing group.