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Apple Watch - Set Up in Standalone Mode (Set Up for a Family Member)

2026-10-22 15:51:53.768

Apple Watch - Set Up in Standalone Mode (Set Up for a Family Member)

Here's how to set up your Apple Watch in Standalone mode (Set Up for a Family Member) using your iPhone.
The steps below apply to watchOS 7 or newer (doesn't apply to Apple Watch® Series 3 or older).
  • The Apple Watch doesn't need to be connected to the same carrier as your Apple® iPhone® when set up using Standalone mode (Set Up for a Family Member).
  • The family member using the Apple Watch doesn't need an iPhone, but an iPhone is required for initial setup.
  • If you're switching the iPhone your Apple Watch is paired with, refer to Switch Paired iPhone.
  • An Apple ID for yourself and one for the family member who is using the Apple Watch is needed. Your Apple ID needs to have two-factor authentication turned on.
  • You will need a Family Sharing setup that includes the person who'll use the Apple Watch. You need to have the role of organizer or parent / guardian to set up an Apple Watch for a family member.
  • For more info on Standalone Mode (Set Up for a Family Member), check out this Apple Support page.
  • While an Apple Watch is set up in Standalone Mode, the following features / apps are unavailable:
    • Irregular heart rhythm notifications
    • ECG
    • Cycle Tracking
    • Sleep
    • Blood Oxygen
    • Podcasts
    • Remote
    • News
    • Home
    • Shortcuts
  • Before you begin, verify your iPhone:
    • has iOS 14 or newer installed.
    • is connected to the Verizon network and the Bluetooth® setting is turned on.
      If you're outside of the Verizon coverage area or your iPhone is activated with another carrier, ensure your watch is connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
    • has LTE Voice and Data turned on.
    • has a cellular network connection or Wi-Fi turned on.
      Apple Watch can connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. For additional info on connecting to Wi-Fi refer to, About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch.
  1. If necessary, power your Apple Watch on by pressing and holding the
    Side button
     until the Apple logo is displayed.
    Start pairing buttons
  2. From a Home screen on your iPhone, open the
    Watch app
     Watch App icon.
    If you are pairing and activating a replacement iPhone or Apple Watch, follow these steps to unpair before proceeding.
  3. Tap
    Start Pairing
    .
    If you already have an Apple Watch connected, tap
    All Watches
     (upper-left) then tap
    Add Watch
     to add an additional watch for yourself or a family member who doesn't have an iPhone.
    If your device was set up with Number Share (Set Up for Myself) and you're switching to Standalone mode (Set Up for a Family Member), unpair your watch before completing these steps.
    Tap Start Pairing
  4. Tap
    Set Up for a Family Member
    .
    If you're setting the watch for yourself with Number Share, refer to Set Up with Number Share (Set Up for Myself).
    Tap Set Up for a Family Member
  5. Review the Family Setup tutorial screens, then tap
    Continue
    .
    Family Setup
  6. Center the watch face in the viewfinder on your iPhone until 'Apple Watch is Paired' is displayed then tap
    Set Up Apple Watch
    .
    If you can't use the camera, or you don't see the pairing animation or your iPhone can't read it, tap
    Pair Apple Watch Manually
    .
    Center the watch face in the viewfinder on your iPhone
  7. Select the wrist (left or right) you wear the watch on.
    Based on your selection, you may have to pick the 'Digital Crown Orientation' (top or bottom) then tap
    Continue
    .
    Selected when a checkmark is present.
    Select the wrist (left or right) you wear the watch on
  8. To continue, review the 'Terms and Conditions' then tap
    Agree
    .
  9. From the 'Bold Text and Size' screen, do the following:
    To customize text options later, tap
    Set Up Later in the Apple Watch App
    .
    1. Tap the
      Bold Text switch
       to turn on On switch or off Off switch.
    2. Drag the
      slider
       left or right to increase / decrease font size.
    3. Tap
      Continue
      .
    Bold Text and Size screen
  10. Tap
    Create a Passcode
    , enter a 4-digit passcode on your watch then re-enter the passcode.
  11. Do one of the following to add a family member to your Apple account:
    • To add an existing family member:
      1. Tap the desired family member.
      2. Enter their Apple ID password then tap
        Next
        .
      3. Tap
        Turn on Ask to Buy
        .
      4. Enter the passcode used on your family member's other devices.
      5. If prompted, tap an available backup to restore your data.
        To start fresh, tap
        Set Up as New Apple Watch
        .
    • To add a new family member:
      1. Tap
        Add New Family Member
        .
      2. Tap
        Use Existing Apple ID
        .
        If you need to set up an Apple ID for your family member, tap
        Create New Apple ID
         and follow the on-screen instructions.
      3. If prompted, review the 'These Features Will Help You Get Started' screen then tap
        Turn on
        .
    Choose Family Member
  12. Tap
    Set Up Cellular
    .
    If your Apple iPhone is activated with another carrier, and your Apple Watch hasn't been activated, contact us to get it activated.
    If your watch says 'Cellular Is Ready' tap
    Continue
     then skip to step 14.
    Cellular Setup
  13. Do one of the following:
    • If you're setting up your Apple Watch for the first time:
      1. Enter your phone number then tap
        Sign Me In
        .
      2. Enter your My Verizon password then tap
        Continue
        .
      3. Tap
        Add device
        .
        If necessary, pick a phone number and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on Wi-Fi Calling.
      4. Review and agree to the Verizon Wireless Customer Agreement, then tap
        Confirm
        .
    • If you are switching from Number Share (Set Up for Myself) to Standalone mode (Set Up for a Family Member):
      1. Tap
        Standalone
        .
      2. Enter your My Verizon phone number and password then tap
        Continue
        .
      3. Tap
        I want Standalone
        .
      4. Enter an address for Wi-Fi Calling then tap
        Continue
        .
      5. Review the info then tap
        Confirm
        .
  14. To share your Wi-Fi passwords with your family member, tap
    Share [Network Name]
    .
    Share your Wi-Fi Passwords with your family member
  15. If prompted, tap
    Enable Location Services
     to gather and use your family member's approximate location.
    Location Services
  16. Tap
    Use Siri
    .
    Use Siri
  17. To share watch analytics with Apple, tap
    Share with Apple
    .
    Watch Analytics
  18. To store messages in iCloud, tap
    Enable Messages in iCloud
    .
    Enable Messages in iCloud
  19. To receive your family member's Health data in your Health app, tap
    Request Health Data
    .
    If prompted on the Apple Watch, tap
    Share
     to allow sharing of your family member's Health data from the Apple Watch.
    Request Health Data
  20. Review the instructions to call Emergency Services then tap
    Continue
    .
    Emergency SOS
  21. Tap
    Add Emergency Contact
    , select the desired contact(s) then tap
    Continue
    .
    Emergency SOS
  22. To create a Medical ID, which allows first responders to provide better care, tap
    Set Up Medical ID
    .
    Set Up Medical ID
  23. Enter the requested info (e.g., Medical Conditions, Allergies and Reactions, Blood Type, etc.) then tap
    Done
    .
    Enter Medical ID info
  24. To share the Medical ID with the dispatcher who answers the call, tap
    Share Medical ID Information
    .
    Share Medical ID with Dispatcher
  25. To continue, if prompted to update the software on your Watch, tap
    Update Now
    .
  26. To set up the Activity app, tap
    Set up Activity
     then follow the on-screen instructions.
    Set Up Activity
  27. To allow the Workout app to use your family member's location to track routes and local weather, tap
    Enable Route Tracking
    .
    Enable Route Tracking
  28. To select a photo album to share with your family member, tap
    Choose Photo Album
     then select the desired album.
    Choose Photo Album
  29. If prompted, Tap
    Set Up Contacts
    .
    Set Up Contacts
  30. Select the contacts you want to give your family member then tap
    Done
    .
    Selected when a checkmark is present.
  31. If prompted, tap
    Ask to Manage Contacts
     to manage your family member's contacts.
    Ask to Manage Contacts
  32. If prompted to create a school schedule, tap
    Turn on Schooltime
    , enter the required info (e.g., Every Day, From, To, etc.) then tap
    Done
    .
    The schedule can be adjusted in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  33. Select the way you view your apps on your watch (Grid View or List View).Selected when a checkmark is present.
    Selected when a checkmark is present.
    pp View (Grid View or List View)
  34. To begin using your Apple Watch, tap
    OK
    .
    Welcome to Apple Watch