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uknation87

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Original poster
Sep 14, 2016
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Question for anyone who even thinks they have an answer. I purchased my son a 38mm AWS3 for Christmas. Walmart had them for $120 and he’s really wanted one for a while. That said, he doesn’t have his own iPhone (he’s only 10 and doesn’t need one yet in my opinion). I wear the Nike + AWS4 and was wondering if I set his watch up on my iPhone can he still enjoy the basic features such as activity tracking, heart rate, steps and so on without it messing up my watch?
 
Question for anyone who even thinks they have an answer. I purchased my son a 38mm AWS3 for Christmas. Walmart had them for $120 and he’s really wanted one for a while. That said, he doesn’t have his own iPhone (he’s only 10 and doesn’t need one yet in my opinion). I wear the Nike + AWS4 and was wondering if I set his watch up on my iPhone can he still enjoy the basic features such as activity tracking, heart rate, steps and so on without it messing up my watch?
I'd guess he can use the functions you mention. The tricky bit is what HomePod would call "personal requests"-- he may wind up with access to your email and messages, and receive notification of them as well...
 
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Question for anyone who even thinks they have an answer. I purchased my son a 38mm AWS3 for Christmas. Walmart had them for $120 and he’s really wanted one for a while. That said, he doesn’t have his own iPhone (he’s only 10 and doesn’t need one yet in my opinion). I wear the Nike + AWS4 and was wondering if I set his watch up on my iPhone can he still enjoy the basic features such as activity tracking, heart rate, steps and so on without it messing up my watch?
No, it won’t work. The iPhone can have more than one watch paired to it but it will only work with one watch at a time, so no.
 
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I could be wrong, but I believe the watch is always assumed to be "trusted", and there is no way to restrict access to things such as your messages, contacts, etc, once the watch is paired (and is unlocked with the passcode). Your son would need the passcode to do anything useful with the watch, so that would mean he has free access to your data - quite a liability. I wouldn't do it.

If you are lucky enough to have received an old-stock S3 with WatchOS 5 on it, then you could pick up a used $30-40 iPhone 5s from eBay with iOS 12, and set up some new accounts for him. If it's a recent S3 with WatchOS 6, then you'd need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 and your costs go up considerably....
 
No, it won’t work. The iPhone can have more than one watch paired to it but it will only work with one watch at a time, so no.

So, I understand that he might end up with access to messages and so on but you’re saying once the AW is set up,it won’t perform the most basic functions such as step tracking, activity and telling time?
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I could be wrong, but I believe the watch is always assumed to be "trusted", and there is no way to restrict access to things such as your messages, contacts, etc, once the watch is paired (and is unlocked with the passcode). Your son would need the passcode to do anything useful with the watch, so that would mean he has free access to your data - quite a liability. I wouldn't do it.

If you are lucky enough to have received an old-stock S3 with WatchOS 5 on it, then you could pick up a used $30-40 iPhone 5s from eBay with iOS 12, and set up some new accounts for him. If it's a recent S3 with WatchOS 6, then you'd need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 and your costs go up considerably....

Ok, so I realize that I could have purchased an “activity tracker“ for him but he’s only interested in the basic functions of the watch (telling time, step and activity trackin, heart rate monitor) which “should“ work. Honestly, the AW is still in the plastic and was only $129 from Walmart on Black Friday so I’m guessing I’ll try it out and just take it back if it doesn’t work.

Thanks!
 
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So, I understand that he might end up with access to messages and so on but you’re saying once the AW is set up,it won’t perform the most basic functions such as step tracking, activity and telling time?
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Ok, so I realize that I could have purchased an “activity tracker“ for him but he’s only interested in the basic functions of the watch (telling time, step and activity trackin, heart rate monitor) which “should“ work. Honestly, the AW is still in the plastic and was only $129 from Walmart on Black Friday so I’m guessing I’ll try it out and just take it back if it doesn’t work.

Thanks!
I have two Apple watches paired to my iPhone Max. A Series 3 and a Series 4. In settings there is an option to "Auto Switch" to which ever watch I put on my wrist or one can select "manual" which watch they want to connect to manually. Since the watch is basically a remote to the iPhone, I don’t see how it could possibly work with both at the same time even in the most basic of functions but I have never actually tried it. If I get a chance tomorrow, I will try putting both on and see what happens.
 
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I have two Apple watches paired to my iPhone Max. A Series 3 and a Series 4. In settings there is an option to "Auto Switch" to which ever watch I put on my wrist or one can select "manual" which watch they want to connect to manually. Since the watch is basically a remote to the iPhone, I don’t see how it could possibly work with both at the same time even in the most basic of functions but I have never actually tried it. If I get a chance tomorrow, I will try putting both on and see what happens.

That would be fantastic! I appreciate it!
 
This will have a number of unforeseen consequences and repercussions. If it’s even workable on a practical level, which I doubt, you can both kiss all of your privacy goodbye. Bad idea.
 
This will have a number of unforeseen consequences and repercussions. If it’s even workable on a practical level, which I doubt, you can both kiss all of your privacy goodbye. Bad idea.

Im not concerned about his privacy at all... 🥴
 
Well, I simply couldn’t wait to figure it out... I unboxed the watch, paired it, updated it and went in and turned off all notifications to things such as messages, emails, and so on... and guess what? It works. Now, the activity data won’t save day over day but from my testing, it will keep track of steps, tell time and so on.

I appreciate the feedback and hope you guys have a great Holiday Season!
 
Will the activity data not get muddled-up with your own in the Activity App on your phone?

Also, turning off notifications doesn't prevent him from accessing the relevant apps on the watch?
 
Will the activity data not get muddled up with your own in the Activity App on your phone?

Also, turning off notifications doesn't prevent him from accessing the relevant apps on the watch?

In regards to the activity, it will only get muddled up if I go into my phone and “sync” his watch... at least that is what seemed to happen when I wore it “unsynced“ around the house. Those steps weren’t recognized on my S4.

Also, he doesn’t have access to my iPhone outside of me giving it to him so he shouldn’t have access to making those changes. Plus, I was very specific in what apps I put on his watch.

as of now, it looks like it will work. 🤞🏼
 
I've never seen a method of uninstalling Mail and Messages from Apple Watch, but fair enough. Hope it all works out ok for you.
 
In regards to the activity, it will only get muddled up if I go into my phone and “sync” his watch... at least that is what seemed to happen when I wore it “unsynced“ around the house. Those steps weren’t recognized on my S4.

Also, he doesn’t have access to my iPhone outside of me giving it to him so he shouldn’t have access to making those changes. Plus, I was very specific in what apps I put on his watch.

as of now, it looks like it will work. 🤞🏼

His health data would not be visible on your AW, but it will be recorded by your Healh app on your phone.
Sounds like you are determined to do this, however I join the chorus of people warning you that this will create problems of all types.
In my opinion, the best solution would be to buy a second hand iPhone SE 16gb from eBay (they go for approx £30 in the UK) and use it purely to sync your son’s AW. He doesn’t need to have the phone, nor know that it exists.
 
I used to have an S2, so GPS only, and I can confirm you still need an iPhone to pair and start the watch.
You can still use it without iPhone after setting it up, alas your AW features will be very limited.
 
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I used to have an S2, so GPS only, and I can confirm you still need an iPhone to pair and start the watch.
You can still use it without iPhone after setting it up, alas your AW features will be very limited.
I think the question is though, not whether the 2nd watch could still be slightly "usable" but whether using both watches at the same time will mess up the father's watch. That was the OP's original question.
Frankly, I think the OP is opening up a can of worms so to speak, but time will tell I guess.
 
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This is why Apple users get a bad name with their simple devices....

So I am an android user for now but I love the Apple Watch and use it just as stated here. Fitness. I have an iPhone SE I can change settings with. No sim and it’s my iPod.

Uknation, just pop the watch on airplane mode and leave it there. Job done. It can be used on WiFi if your phone is out of site but maybe keep it off.
 
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I used to have an S2, so GPS only, and I can confirm you still need an iPhone to pair and start the watch.
You can still use it without iPhone after setting it up, alas your AW features will be very limited.

this is exactly what i was looking for... I’m not at all concerned about the features he’ll have access to or the lack of features really. As long as the watch can perform the most basic functions then it’s a win in my opinion.

ultimately, he just wanted an AW and I’m not ready for him to have a phone if any kind (judge me). This watch was unbelievably cheap so I jumped on it.

if it becomes an issue, I’ll get him something else and give the watch to my wife.

I appreciate all the feedback.
 
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this is exactly what i was looking for... I’m not at all concerned about the features he’ll have access to or the lack of features really. As long as the watch can perform the most basic functions then it’s a win in my opinion.

ultimately, he just wanted an AW and I’m not ready for him to have a phone if any kind (judge me). This watch was unbelievably cheap so I jumped on it.

if it becomes an issue, I’ll get him something else and give the watch to my wife.

I appreciate all the feedback.
I don't think it will be an issue for you but if it does become one why not just buy a iPhone SE for dirt cheap pair the watch with that and toss the SE in your drawer so your son can keep using the watch?
 
Just like others say.. get a dirt cheap iPhone so that your son can have his own Apple ID, activate his own watch and synced to his own (virtual) iPhone, and ultimately feed his own data back to the watch. If the watch is already on WatchOS 6, you need a phone with iOS 13. So start looking for a cheap, preowned 6s or SE. And because you really think your son doesn't need a phone yet, hide it from him. Buy it as a dummy master only.

Enlist his Apple ID to your Family Sharing group while you're at it, so you can monitor all his activities, location, call and message him (when his watch is on WiFi) or prevent accidental purchase on the watch's AppStore (again, if it has WatchOS 6).

This also ease up the process when your son is mature enough to get a phone of his own. His Apple ID is ready, storing his own Health data, and it's registered under your Family Sharing. Just neater, and zero risk of getting convoluted with yours.
 
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I appreciate once again everyone who gave advice on this matter. I have since listened to the majority and purchased a used IPhone SE for around $60 and will go that route. It seems like the best option.

Thanks again everyone!
 
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