Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby

Learn what you can do with your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't with you.

If your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular

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.

When your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi icon appears in Control Center. When it's connected to cellular, the cellular icon appears. Learn how to set up cellular.

A Wi-Fi or cellular connection lets your Apple Watch do the following things, even if your iPhone isn't with you.¹

Use Siri to get directions, send iMessages, and more.

Send and receive messages.¹

Make and answer phone calls.²

Listen to the radio.³

Find your way with Maps.

If you can't connect to Wi-Fi, cellular, or your iPhone

When your Apple Watch is disconnected—for example, if you're hiking in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular signal, or your iPhone is off—you can still do these things.

Track your workouts.⁴

See the time and use the Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch apps.

Track your activity goals.

Display photos from synced photo albums.

Play music, podcasts, or audiobooks that you've synced to your watch.

Make purchases with Apple Pay.

Check your heart rate.

Relax and breathe mindfully.

Record thoughts and ideas.

Get your bearings with Compass.⁵

Protect your hearing.

Track your menstrual cycle.

Track your sleep.

Measure your blood oxygen level with the Blood Oxygen app.

Take an ECG with the ECG app.

Not all features are available on all Apple Watch models. Also, not all features are available in all countries or regions.

1. To receive SMS, MMS, or push notifications from third-party apps on your cellular Apple Watch, your paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, but it doesn't need to be nearby. You also need to be signed in to iMessage on your iPhone.

2. If you're on Wi-Fi and want to call a phone number, make sure that Wi-Fi calling is turned on for your Apple Watch. Otherwise, try making a FaceTime audio call.

3. Streaming music and podcasts is available on Apple Watch Series 3 and later and Apple Watch SE.

4. For GPS accuracy when you walk, run, or cycle outdoors, select the appropriate Workout and bring your iPhone. For GPS accuracy, you can also calibrate your Apple Watch. Apple Watch Series 2 and later and Apple Watch SE have built-in GPS that allows you to get more accurate distance and speed information during an outdoor workout without your paired iPhone.

5. The Compass app is available on Apple Watch Series 5 and later and Apple Watch SE.

Published Date: September 17, 2020