How To Use Apple Watch Without Pairing With Iphone

'Does the Apple Watch work without an iPhone?': Yes, but you might still need an internet connection — here's what you need to know

Updated

2019-12-03T21:47:00Z

Your Apple Watch will work without an iPhone, but depending on what model of Watch you have, you might not have access to every feature.
You'll need to have access to either a cellular or Wi-Fi connection if you want to use the majority of your Apple Watch's features without an iPhone.
An Apple Watch can still be used without an iPhone or internet connection, but you'll run into limits on what you can do.
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It may be unusual to say, but yes, the Apple Watch does indeed work without an iPhone.

However, you'll be sacrificing many of the Watch's more prominent features if doing so.

Without an iPhone, the features available to you on your Apple Watch depend on what kind of Apple Watch you have, and whether there's an available Wi-Fi connection.

If you don't have either, there are still apps you can use — although you'll be limited.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Apple Watch Series 5 (From $399 at Best Buy)

How to use your Apple Watch with a cellular connection

If you have an Apple Watch with cellular capabilities, and you've set up the cellular feature, you'll have access to many of the same features available on your iPhone. This means you'll be able to take telephone calls, use Siri, stream music, and more, on the Watch.

Here's what you will need to use cellular on your Apple Watch.

An iPhone 6 or higher, with the most recent iOS update
An Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular), Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), or Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) with the latest version of watchOS
The same carrier for both your Apple Watch and iPhone

If you are connected to a cellular network, you will see four green dots in the upper left-hand corner of your Apple Watch.

To learn how to set up cellular on your Apple Watch with an iPhone, read our article, "How to use cellular data on a cellular-enabled Apple Watch, and check your data usage."

How to use your Apple Watch with a Wi-Fi connection

Even if you don't bring your iPhone along with you, and you don't have a cellular connection, you'll still be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks, should one be available and within range.

To connect to a Wi-Fi network, tap the Wi-Fi icon in the Apple Watch menu.

However, features like SMS text messages and third-party push notifications may not be available.

These features are available on the Apple Watch with Wi-Fi, and without an iPhone nearby.

Siri
iMessage
Making or receiving calls (if Wi-Fi calling is enabled on your Apple Watch)
The Walkie-Talkie app
Streaming music, podcasts, or the radio
Any apps that support Wi-Fi
Controlling your home through the Home app

To learn how to set up to a Wi-Fi network on your Apple Watch, read our article, "How to connect your Apple Watch to a Wi-Fi connection and unlock all of its features."

How to use an Apple Watch without Wi-Fi, cellular, or an iPhone nearby

If you're out on a hike without your iPhone, and without a connection to a Wi-Fi network, and without cellular data, there are still ways to use your Apple Watch.

Many health features can be used offline, as can downloaded music and podcasts.

Here's what's available without Wi-Fi, cellular, or your iPhone.

Listening to podcasts and music downloaded to your Apple Watch
Viewing photos already synced to your Apple Watch
Making purchases using Apple Pay (useful for when out on a run and want to stop for coffee or lunch)
Setting timers, alarms, checking the time, and using the stopwatch
Monitoring your health via the Workout and Activity apps (though if you'd like your routes to be GPS accurate, be sure to bring your iPhone)
Monitoring your heart rate

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

'How much is the Apple Watch Series 5?': A breakdown of each model's price and new features
How to change the band on your Apple Watch and customize it to match your style
A beginner's guide to the Apple Watch: How to use its buttons and gestures, start workouts, and more
Your Apple Watch is water-resistant, not waterproof — here's what that means, and how you can use your Watch in the water
How to use AirPods and pair them with almost any phone or device

Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University. Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.