Apple Watch connected to U.K. The Cloud public wifi

[Recognition]

Their own network, not the Cloud.

Yea the point with this thread is that the uk wifi public network called '_the cloud' appears to now work with the Apple Watch. 'The Cloud' network is all over London and other popular areas in the UK.

I understand other public wifi hotspots may work such as shops and services where they offer their own wifi for customers, but this thread is specifically about '_the cloud' public wifi run by Sky.

 

[nicho]

Their own network, not the Cloud.

thats been possible for like, a year now, and not the point of this thread.

 

[Recognition]

Sorry. Quoted wrong person!

 

[matrix07]

Today I did a new experiment.
From the thread Setting Up Apple Time Extreme for iWatch2 OP said his watch displays the red iPhone (slash through it) when away from iPhone. When I turned off Bluetooth on the phone I didn't get this. I got green cloud (connected) instead, so it got me curious.

I then tested playing Apple Music and make a call while my phone Bluetooth turning off. I can do all that, so the watch was actually connected (through Wi-Fi I suppose)
Then I turned off Wi-Fi on iPhone (Bluetooth still off) and I can't do anything above. The watch was disconnected, but I still got green cloud.
Turning Airplane mode on the phone, the watch still show green cloud and I still can't do anything above.

What interesting is the last two stage (turn off Wi-Fi and turn on Airplane mode) I can send message through the watch and receive message (test by sending from iPad) and got message notified.
Here the proof, you can see my watch show both notifications when iPhone in Airplane mode.

(btw, Scribble is great! One of the best new feature of OS 3 IMO)

Here from iPad, you can see it can receive message from watch while iPhone in Airplane mode.

Here from iPhone, you can see iPhone didn't get last two notifications (compared to iPad) because it's in Airplane mode

So the watch definitely can send and receive message even when it's away from phone but can't make a call or access internet. Why? I have no idea.

(This could related to OP experience that he was able to get message when at public Wi-Fi)

 

[erpetao]

Hi guys, let me add my experience today to this thread.

During the weekend I was at Nuffield Health (gym) where there is a "The Cloud" wifi. Connected through my phone, logged in and then switched on airplane mode and my watch seemed to be able to send messages.

Then today I left my phone at home, went to the gym and my watch connected to the wifi with no issues (green cloud in control panel). I was able to send and receive iMessages successfully. Pretty happy about it, as that means I can just pop to the gym without my phone, be reachable and even pay for lunch using Apple Pay.

 

[GadgetBen]

View attachment 651513 In the U.K. and around London we have a free public wifi network called 'The Cloud'.
To use it you need to sign up for a free account and login in each time you connect via a webpage (Shown in pic).
My iPhone is setup as a device as well as my MBA.
I'm currently at Kings college London and noticed when I'm out of range of my phone or switch my Bluetooth off, my Watch connects to a wifi hotspot.
I know the Watch can connect to known wifi networks that are logged in via the wifi settings page. But I didn't think it could login to a wifi network that required you to login via a webpage?
Is this an addition to WatchOS 3? Don't remember reading anything about it so far?
Nonetheless very happy it works on a public wifi network now! Can wonder around the campus and still send/receive texts etc

Your password is too short.

Your password must contain English upper and/or lower case characters, numbers and the following special characters: _-!@#$%^&*

;-)

 

[GC251114]

Evening everyone.

Just too add my two penneth to this subject.

UK based & just stopped off at McDonald's for the toilet (oh ok & a wrap). Out of curiosity I turned the MacD wifi which phone had automatically connected too (believe this is the Cloud). Did this by turning phone into Airplane mode.

Checked Apple Watch , Series 2 SG , swiped up & pleased too see Watch was connected to Cloud wifi (red cloud symbol at top)

Then got friend with me to send me text , email & whatsapp. All came through fine & I was able to reply to all absolutely fine. Then turned phone off & Watch remained connected to Cloud & was able to reply etc.

I like that.

Cheers

 

[fedecape]

I turned off bluetooth, I saw the watch get disconnected and then waited. Nothing. My first gen watch on OS3 does not re-connect to my work WiFi. Wonder why? Is it the type of WiFi/security?

 

[magicMac]

Can third party apps now use the Watch wifi connection without the phone? Previously it was basically just iMessage and Siri

 

[mitchellsx]

Reading this thread, as I have an issue of my watch connecting to the cloud before now it does not. Anyone else on this thread had the same experience? now watch ios 4

 

[erpetao]

Has this stopped working now? Even with WatchOS 5 I cannot connect to public wifi networks. What a step backwards!