Can an Apple Watch function as a standalone device or does it require an iPhone?
@frankm From Apple Watch 4 and up, I think it can function on its own, but Apple really like you to be connected…
@odd @frankm Sorry, I got that wrong. Per the website:
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) uses the network connection of your nearby iPhone to send and receive text messages, answer phone calls and receive notifications. The built-in GPS works independently of your iPhone for distance, pace and route mapping in workouts. And you can do many other things independent of your iPhone, like measure your heart rate, play locally stored music and pay with Apple Pay.
Although, on other pages it says the iPhone is required so IDK 🤷♂️
@simonwoods @odd Thanks. It sounds like it can do activity tracking on its own. Can it pair with an iPad to transfer and store tracking data? Frankly, I think if Apple really wanted to sell a ton of the watches they would do something like they did with the iPad and make it work with Android. Not sure they have the same motivation now as they did then.
@simonwoods My understanding as a non-GPS Apple Watch owner is that the GPS version can function as a stand-alone once it is set up, but you would need an iOS device to set it up. You might need it for system updates as well, but that I’m less sure about.
@sproutlight I think you're right. As far as I can tell the Watch can't do much without first pairing to an iPhone. Mine can't even so much as control the media player on an iPad.
A quick search throws up some fairly risky-looking methods for making it work but I can't see any hint of a reliable method. I do think it will happen eventually, especially with iPads and maybe even Macs but I would assume there won't be such an update other than in a September event. // @odd @frankm