Connect Apple Watch to a Wi-Fi network
Connect Apple Watch to a compatible Wi-Fi network so you can use many of its features even when you don’t have your iPhone with you.
Wi-Fi networks compatible with Apple Watch
802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
A network that your iPhone previously used while connected to Apple Watch
Note: Apple Watch can’t connect to public networks that require logins, subscriptions, or profiles. These networks—called captive networks—can include free and pay networks in places like businesses, schools, dorms, apartments, hotels, and stores.
Connect to a compatible Wi-Fi network
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Touch and hold
, then tap the name of a compatible Wi-Fi network.
If the network requires a password, enter the password or tap
, then choose a password from the list.
Tap Join.
When Apple Watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network instead of to your iPhone, the Wi-Fi icon appears at the top of Control Center.
Use a private network address on Apple Watch
To help protect your privacy, Apple Watch uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins. Using a private address helps reduce tracking of your Apple Watch across different Wi-Fi networks.
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Touch and hold
Tap Private Wi-Fi Address, then choose Off, Fixed, or Rotating.
Important: For better privacy, choose Fixed or Rotating for all networks that support a private address.
If a network can’t use a private address (for example, to provide parental controls or to identify Apple Watch as authorized to join), you can stop using a private address for that network.
Disconnect from Wi-Fi
In Control Center, you can temporarily disconnect from a Wi-Fi network. If your Apple Watch has a cellular plan, you can use an available cellular connection instead.
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Tap
“Disconnected” appears at the top of the screen.
Apple Watch temporarily disconnects from the Wi-Fi network. If you have an Apple Watch with cellular, the cellular connection activates if you have coverage. When you leave and later return to the place where you were connected to Wi-Fi, Apple Watch automatically joins that network again unless you’ve forgotten it on your iPhone.
Tip: To quickly open Wi-Fi settings on Apple Watch, touch and hold the Wi-Fi button in Control Center.
Forget a network
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Touch and hold
Tap Forget This Network.
If you rejoin that network at a later time, you must reenter its password if it requires one.