Features

Can Apple Watch be used without iPhone?

Part of our Apple Watch FAQ

Can Apple Watch be used without iPhone?
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This is part of our massive Apple Watch FAQ, which should tell you everything you want to know about the gadget, its features, and its interface. You can find it here

Yes! Sort of. While you absolutely need an iPhone to set up an Apple Watch in the first place, and the devices are designed to be used in tandem, the Watch can do a surprising amount of tasks by itself, if you happen to leave your phone at home.

It can tell the time, show you calendar events, play up to 2GB of music files (over Bluetooth headphones) and show your most recent iCloud photos, track your activity (except your speed and distance), pay for stuff through Apple Pay, and use your passbook cards.

Plus, some early reviews suggest that it can do most internet tasks like query Siri and send and receive email if the Watch is on a known wi-fi network.

What it can't do, mind, is run third party apps (yet), make and receive phone calls, or do anything that relies on the phone's GPS.

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer