A Specific Kind of "Phone Lost" notifier?

[Psychopusher]

Okay, I've been looking high and low for just a straight up, simple Apple Watch/iPhone app pair that will simply buzz and notify my Apple Watch whenever I go out of Bluetooth range of the phone (and, optionally, only if I'm also outside of the WiFi network they're both connected to -- not necessary but it would be nice). The caveat is that I do not want one that uses Location Services and GPS. I've tried Mobeleash, but it's unreliable and its constant use of Location Services drain both phone and watch battery like absolutely nuts; I have to charge both twice a day. Phone Buddy does the same thing. Lookout doesn't have lost phone functionality any more.

So isn't there a basic bitch app -- even one that only runs on the watch and monitors the phone connection status to see if it's disconnected from the watch -- that just notifies me when it can no longer find the phone? It's such a simple, stupidly obvious feature -- my old Pebble watches had this functionality built-in from day one, and it saved my ass many a time, and yet the "premium" Apple Watch can't even manage it? Or at least not manage it without killing battery life? There's gotta be something. Anything? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[Itinj24]

Okay, I've been looking high and low for just a straight up, simple Apple Watch/iPhone app pair that will simply buzz and notify my Apple Watch whenever I go out of Bluetooth range of the phone (and, optionally, only if I'm also outside of the WiFi network they're both connected to -- not necessary but it would be nice). The caveat is that I do not want one that uses Location Services and GPS. I've tried Mobeleash, but it's unreliable and its constant use of Location Services drain both phone and watch battery like absolutely nuts; I have to charge both twice a day. Phone Buddy does the same thing. Lookout doesn't have lost phone functionality any more.

So isn't there a basic bitch app -- even one that only runs on the watch and monitors the phone connection status to see if it's disconnected from the watch -- that just notifies me when it can no longer find the phone? It's such a simple, stupidly obvious feature -- my old Pebble watches had this functionality built-in from day one, and it saved my ass many a time, and yet the "premium" Apple Watch can't even manage it? Or at least not manage it without killing battery life? There's gotta be something. Anything? Anyone? Bueller?

If you can wait a bit, iOS 15 and WatchOS 8 will have this feature. It’s already being reported by beta testers.

 

[Psychopusher]

If you can wait a bit, iOS 15 and WatchOS 8 will have this feature. It’s already being reported by beta testers.

That's great ... except I have a Series 2. Tops out at WatchOS 6, and knowing Apple, they won't add it to earlier WatchOS versions, because "buy a new watch ya cheapskate" is Apple's mantra for such things.

 

[Itinj24]

That's great ... except I have a Series 2. Tops out at WatchOS 6, and knowing Apple, they won't add it to earlier WatchOS versions, because "buy a new watch ya cheapskate" is Apple's mantra for such things.

I’m surprised this feature hasn’t been added since day one. Had it on my Android/Android Wear and also Tizen. But yeah, if your watch won’t support WatchOS 8, you might be out of luck. I been searching this type of app since the S4, my first AW and Phone Buddy is the best I found. Works great but I understand you want something off the grid.

 

[Psychopusher]

I’m surprised this feature hasn’t been added since day one. Had it on my Android/Android Wear and also Tizen. But yeah, if your watch won’t support WatchOS 8, you might be out of luck. I been searching this type of app since the S4, my first AW and Phone Buddy is the best I found. Works great but I understand you want something off the grid.

The only reason I want off-grid is because of the insane battery drain it causes. Going to bed with the watch fully charged and then going to work in the morning and wathing it drop to 25% by noon is pants-on-head crazy. I know the Apple Watch has been capable of doing this since day one, but it amazes the hell out of me that's it's taken 8 major OS versions for them to build it in. Seriously, I haven't programmed a damn thing in 20 years and even I know the code would take all of 5 minutes to implement, 3 of which would be spent compiling and merging with the codebase!

*sigh* I'm just frustrated. I almost forgot my phone at work again and it gets me worked up.

 

[Itinj24]

The only reason I want off-grid is because of the insane battery drain it causes. Going to bed with the watch fully charged and then going to work in the morning and wathing it drop to 25% by noon is pants-on-head crazy. I know the Apple Watch has been capable of doing this since day one, but it amazes the hell out of me that's it's taken 8 major OS versions for them to build it in. Seriously, I haven't programmed a damn thing in 20 years and even I know the code would take all of 5 minutes to implement, 3 of which would be spent compiling and merging with the codebase!

*sigh* I'm just frustrated. I almost forgot my phone at work again and it gets me worked up.

I hear ya. Not sure when was the last time you tried Phone Buddy but the battery drain on it since earlier versions has decreased dramatically. Then again, your watch is a little older so not sure if that plays a factor in it. Just throwing that out there. Sorry I wasn’t of more help. I understand your frustration. This and a full fledged Find My app was something I been asking for on the watch for a long time.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

PhoneBuddy has been a great addition to my Apple Watch experience and the battery drain is negligible. I use my watch heavily between apps and health features after a day of use I still have between 35-45% battery at the end of the day... I'm happy to see Apple implement some features into Find My but I'm completely satisfied with the customization/personalization of PhoneBuddy and would recommend it to anyone with an Apple Watch. Plus their support team is very responsive and helpful with any issues you may have with the app.

 

[Psychopusher]

PhoneBuddy has been a great addition to my Apple Watch experience and the battery drain is negligible. I use my watch heavily between apps and health features after a day of use I still have between 35-45% battery at the end of the day... I'm happy to see Apple implement some features into Find My but I'm completely satisfied with the customization/personalization of PhoneBuddy and would recommend it to anyone with an Apple Watch. Plus their support team is very responsive and helpful with any issues you may have with the app.

Thanks for that. I haven't tried Phone Buddy, as I didn't really want to shell out the C$6.99 if all it did was pretty much the same as the much cheaper Mobeleash (which I did shell out for). I might have to consider it though if nothing else is available.