Apple watch Wi-Fi

[i-aamir]

Does anyone know how the wifi function works when Bluetooth is turned off on your phone? In the AW user guide it said that if Bluetooth is off but your in wifi range you can still send and receive messages and use Siri? I'm not able to do that and just get the red disconnect iPhone logo on the watch?

 

[anez]

I get the same icon, but the Watch then goes on to work more or less normally. I get the red "no phone" icon, then three blue dots, then suddenly everything is working normally again. The only difference is that some things are slightly slower.

It seems like you can't force a WiFi connection or access any details about it, but the Watch will work away using it without ever telling you about it.

 

[i-aamir]

I get the same icon, but the Watch then goes on to work more or less normally. I get the red "no phone" icon, then three blue dots, then suddenly everything is working normally again. The only difference is that some things are slightly slower.

It seems like you can't force a WiFi connection or access any details about it, but the Watch will work away using it without ever telling you about it.

Are you able to use Siri while the red disconnect icon is displayed. I cant use Siri or send messages, just says Iphone not in range?

 

[anez]

Are you able to use Siri while the red disconnect icon is displayed. I cant use Siri or send messages, just says Iphone not in range?

Here's what's worked for me while either the Bluetooth was off or the phone was out of range (I tried both):

- Siri weather request
- Getting email notifications
- Getting texts
- Getting calls
- Reading my Twitter feed

...So basically more or less everything? Did it actually reject the requests owing to the phone being out of range? What happens when the Bluetooth is off?

 

[i-aamir]

Here's what's worked for me while either the Bluetooth was off or the phone was out of range (I tried both):

- Siri weather request
- Getting email notifications
- Getting texts
- Getting calls
- Reading my Twitter feed

...So basically more or less everything? Did it actually reject the requests owing to the phone being out of range? What happens when the Bluetooth is off?

I can't do any of those. As in just clicked on Twitter and it came up with the red iPhone disconnect logo. Only thing I did was switch Bluetooth off on my phone

 

[mattopotamus]

Here's what's worked for me while either the Bluetooth was off or the phone was out of range (I tried both):

- Siri weather request
- Getting email notifications
- Getting texts
- Getting calls
- Reading my Twitter feed

...So basically more or less everything? Did it actually reject the requests owing to the phone being out of range? What happens when the Bluetooth is off?

Did the red phone icon still show? I forgot about the wifi features and just thought nothing would work

 

[i-aamir]

Just worked it out. My iPhone on the home network is 5GHZ and the Watch only supports 2.4! That's a shame as I'll now have to run my iPhone on the lower band just to allow wifi functions on the watch while Bluetooth is off!

 

[anez]

Did the red phone icon still show? I forgot about the wifi features and just thought nothing would work

It shows the icon initially, but then it continues working anyway. It's a bit weird, to be honest.

 

[BrianNH]

I just did some testing with this, I have a dual band asus router with both bands using the same ssid. I looked at the router and while bluetooth is on, the watch appears as if it's wired. This tells me that the watch is getting an ip but doing so through the phone.

When I disable bluetooth, the watch appears on the router using 2.4ghz. Even while the phone is on 5ghz, I am able to get full functionality over wifi. I never saw a disconnected icon.

 

[DynaFXD]

I just did some testing with this, I have a dual band asus router with both bands using the same ssid. I looked at the router and while bluetooth is on, the watch appears as if it's wired. This tells me that the watch is getting an ip but doing so through the phone.

When I disable bluetooth, the watch appears on the router using 2.4ghz. Even while the phone is on 5ghz, I am able to get full functionality over wifi. I never saw a disconnected icon.

Interesting research, thanks! . I was surprised that I never got a wifi pass phrase request on the AW. So I guess the pairing with the phone hands it off to the watch? I guess " it just works".

 

[amirite]

Is it just in my head or is the Watch faster when you disable bluetooth on the phone?

 

[sumsingwong]

It does seem a little snappier when on wifi.

 

[amirite]

Hm. Then why doesn't it default to using Wifi for communication with the phone when available? Battery issues?

 

[sumsingwong]

Probably battery. BT LE would use less energy than WiFi.

 

[amirite]

Probably battery. BT LE would use less energy than WiFi.

Makes sense. Unfortunate though...