Apple Watch - Determine Cellular Capabilities
Here's how to tell what your Apple Watch can do when your iPhone is turned on or off.
- The Apple Watch® Series 3 and newer models, allow you to stay connected once paired with a compatible Apple® iPhone® using Number Share (Set up for Myself) or Standalone Mode (Set Up for a Family Member).
- Use the tables below to determine your Apple 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.). For general support questions, refer to the Apple Watch page.
The Apple Watch cellular capabilities vary depending on the setup type. The Apple Watch can be set up in the following ways:
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 higher, 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 (Set Up for a Family Member)
Watch Function | iPhone must be ON | iPhone can be OFF | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Activation | Yes | No | iPhone must be on iOS 15 or higher, 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 (Set Up for a Family Member), the watch does not receive notifications from the iPhone. |