Apple Watch is a smartwatch that extends your smartphone. This makes us wonder if the Apple Watch can be used without the iPhone.
There are many reasons to use an Apple Watch without an iPhone. Maybe you want to get an Android smartphone and aren’t sure if your smartwatch will still work with it? Or do you just want to leave your iPhone at home when doing outdoor sports? We give you an overview of the functions that are available to you on your Apple Watch even without an iPhone.
Apple Watch with Android phone
If you own an Apple Watch and are considering buying a Samsung or Xiaomi Android smartphone, think twice. The Apple smartwatch must be paired with an iPhone. Although you can use an Apple Watch without an iPhone, you lose most of its features. Setup requires an iOS-only app. No Apple Watch-Android phone Bluetooth connection. Apple phones only have this option.
Only the LTE version of the Apple Watch Series 7 LTE 45 (with a contract) has a trick: borrow an iPhone and insert your SIM card. Connect the watch to iPhone’s LTE network. Apple Watch’s eSIM stores the necessary data. Now you can use your Apple watch and Android phone. This trick doesn’t work for SMS or fitness/health information.
Use Apple Watch without iPhone
If your iPhone isn’t nearby and you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, you can continue to use your Apple Watch with the following functions.
- Entertainment : You can listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts. You can also view your photo albums.
- Documents : Your IDs, such as your student ID, and travel tickets can still be viewed.
- GPS : Search for people, objects, devices.
- Clock : Keep using the clock, world clock, your stopwatch, alarm clock, or timer.
- Health : You can have your heart rate measured, your activities and your training recorded.
Internet activities only work with Wi-Fi or cellular
Other functions like sending data or adding photos and music require internet. No iPhone needed.
- Installing new apps, downloading photos, podcasts and music only works if your Apple Watch is connected to the Internet.
- The weather display, stock prices and controlling your home also work in this case.
- Calling only works if you have previously activated WLAN calls in the settings.
- The walkie-talkie function only works if the device has access to the Internet.
Conclusion!
It’s possible to use an Apple Watch without an iPhone, but it’s not ideal. Android users, on the other hand, should get used to another smartwatch or switch to an iPhone if they want to use all of the features. If you have an Apple phone but sometimes leave the house without a smartphone, you should use the LTE version of the Apple Watch so you can use all of its features on the go.
Even if a family member doesn’t have their own iPhone, like a child, they can still use it. Using the family configuration, the Apple Watch is easy to set up, and it can also be used without an iPhone.
