Apple Watch Determine Cellular Capabilities
Apple Watch
Determine Cellular CapabilitiesChecking the cellular capabilities of your Apple Watch® ensures you know when and where you can rely on it for connectivity without your iPhone®.
Before you begin
The Watch Series 3 and newer models allow you to stay connected once paired with a compatible iPhone using Set Up with Number Share for Myself or Standalone Mode (Apple Watch For Your Kids).
Use the tables below to determine your watch's capabilities while your iPhone is powered on or off.
Refer to the Messaging support page for more info on message types (e.g., iMessage, SMS, etc.).
The Apple Watch cellular capabilities vary depending on the setup type. The Apple Watch can be set up via the options below.
Number Share (Set Up for Myself)
When you are actively using your iPhone (i.e., making a call, sending a text), notifications received only appear on your iPhone and won't be shared with your Apple Watch.
Watch Function | iPhone must be ON | iPhone can be OFF | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Activation | Yes | No | iPhone must be on iOS 13 or newer, connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network and connected to the Watch via Bluetooth®. Both devices (iPhone and Watch) must be charged and kept close together while they are paired and synced. |
Make Calls (Incoming/Outgoing) | No | Yes | The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. iPhone doesn't need to be within range of the watch |
iMessages (Send/Receive) | No | Yes | Watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. iPhone must have iMessage® enabled but does not need to be within range of the watch |
SMS Messages (Send/Receive) | Yes | No | Watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. iPhone must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network but does not need to be within range of the watch. |
Apple (first-party) App Notifications | No | Yes | Watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. iPhone does not need to be within range of the watch |
Third-party App notifications (e.g., Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, etc.) | Yes | No | Watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. iPhone must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network but does not need to be within range of the watch. |
Standalone (Apple Watch For Your Kids)
Watch Function | iPhone must be ON | iPhone can be OFF | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Activation | Yes | No | iPhone must be on iOS 15 or newer, connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network and connected to the Watch via Bluetooth® Both devices (iPhone and Watch) must be charged and kept close together while they are paired and synced. |
Make Calls (Incoming/Outgoing) | N/A | N/A | The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. |
iMessages (Send/Receive) | N/A | N/A | The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. |
SMS Messages (Send/Receive) | N/A | N/A | The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. |
Apple (first-party) App Notifications | N/A | N/A | The watch must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular network. |
Third-party App notifications (e.g., Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, etc.) | N/A | N/A | While set up in Standalone Mode (Apple Watch For Your Kids), the watch does not receive notifications from the iPhone. |