Can Apple Watch Ultra do things like check email without the iPhone turned on as well as sync Messages with iCloud? I imagine not but I haven't seen it discussed.
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Can Apple Watch Ultra be used as an independent device?
- Thread starter Saint_Blaise
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It’s still an Apple Watch. Still need an iPhone to setup and pair. Still need an iPhone to send and receive phone call sms. So yeah.
It can be used to do those things with the phone off if the watch is connected to the internet via Wifi. Additionally all Ultra models have cellular data built-in. If you add it to your cell plan (at a cost), just like all of the other cellular Apple Watches, it can be used to do those things away from WiFi.
One point I don't recall/am unclear on: I don't know if you can actually get SMS messages with the phone off on non-cellular models (or if you don't activate the cellular with your carrier on a cellular model). I suspect not. But iMessage works as long as the watch has internet — it doesn't rely on the iPhone.
One point I don't recall/am unclear on: I don't know if you can actually get SMS messages with the phone off on non-cellular models (or if you don't activate the cellular with your carrier on a cellular model). I suspect not. But iMessage works as long as the watch has internet — it doesn't rely on the iPhone.
Your phone has to be on and connected to the network to receive SMS when separated from your watch
Seems like this article contradicts most responses in this thread https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547
Text messaging is possible without the iPhone but email is not. I am hoping that an $800 device is not subject to the limitations of the previous iterations.
Text messaging is possible without the iPhone but email is not. I am hoping that an $800 device is not subject to the limitations of the previous iterations.
I'm not sure that that article actually refutes 'most responses' on the thread. The watch can make a call & get iMessages, but cannot get SMS messages unless the phone is on. It doesn't have to be nearby, but it does need to be on.
The price of the Ultra doens't have anything to do with the limitations. And there have been much more expensive Apple watches than what the Ultra retails for.
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I'm also 99% sure that you can send emails even when the phone is off. But sending them from the watch is a pretty painful process, so I've rarely done it. I've done a few brief replies, but nothing more. But I'm almost sure some of those have been done when the phone was off.
You‘re right! SMS cannot be received without the iPhone.
The Ultra is the largest and most advanced Apple Watch. I don’t see why it should be subject to the same limitations. You can’t compare it to the overpriced luxury watches.
It is essentially the same tech inside as the series 8 excepting the bigger battery. The limitations on cellular functionality won't be different.
I was going to buy it to replace my iPhone on most days. What I am trying to figure out, is if the small amount of increased pixels (~7-8%), 1.8% larger screen, and then 2000 nits (2x) brighter display, will actually make much difference in daily use. Probably you would need to see it in person. I am disappointed that the screen isn't much bigger/they didnt release many features that would help replace an iPhone.
As I understand it, you also do need the bluetooth headphones
As I understand it, you also do need the bluetooth headphones
I don't see why Apple would artificially limit the features you mentioned (iCloud message syncing) to only one watch. They don't seem to be hardware specific issues, but software. If/when they release that, they'd want to give it to all customers. It's not like you are paying more for the watch. It's more than an aluminum, but priced lower than a Hermes.
The other feature (sending email) already works (I'm 99% sure). I think the reason they don't list it is that sending emails from an Apple Watch is a pretty underwhelming experience overall.
Genuinely curious, are there any other features you think they should include that they don't currently? I think updating calendar events would be fantastic, and also the ability to zoom in on email attachments, but again, I see those as software updates, not something that would be solved by different hardware.
Not sure if you have an Apple Watch already, but assuming that you don't (or haven't used one as a phone replacement), I think the biggest difference between the ultras & regular watches is the bigger battery. I don't think those who haven't used it extensively on cellular realize how much of Apple's all day battery life comes from being on bluetooth most of the time. Once you move to wifi (or especially cellular), it drains the battery much more quickly. In fact, I think when used on the Family plan (or whatever the stand-alone thing is called), they only say you'll get 12-14 hours of use vs 'all-day' regularly.
The other things I think will make a difference. I think in this order:
1. Battery life
2. larger screen (to help with the swipe texting). In my experience, none of the biggest drawbacks (aside from battery life) is texting (I have a 5, so no swipe text entry. Siri works well, but there are times when one word of a text will come out incorrectly (especially with place names) and it's hard to correct that. The swipe texting fixes that, and the larger screen should make that a bit easier to manipulate.
3. More pixels. Another issue is viewing email attachments. They are just too hard to read sometimes. And unlike pictures, there is no way to zoom in, so having a few more pixels, may make them easier to read, but like you said, it's a small amount.
4. brighter display. I don't really think this will help you much at all with being able to replace your phone. Brighter is better, but I don't really have any issues seeing the current one, so I don't see it being any real benefit for leaving the phone behind.
Maybe it’s different now, but last I tried I could not pair my watch to my car via Bluetooth, which seems like a decision on Apple’s part that I can’t figure out a reason for. If I’m driving to go work out, I don’t need my phone for anything but to have something to listen to during the drive. But again, not (likely) solved by hardware.
That's a good point. I've had the same issue. Haven't tried it recently, but could also never get it to work.
It's basically a larger Series8 running the same OS. It will have the same limitations as the regular watches.
And a Series 8 is pretty much a Series 7 with a couple of additional sensors.
I think your hopes are going to be disappointed because Apple never advertised any additional connectivity other than more advanced GPS with this watch. Perhaps one day the Apple Watch may work as an independent device but today’s not the day.
AFAIK it depends on how the car advertises itself. The Watch only connects to headphones, so if your car has a mode to just use it as a bluetooth speaker it might be possible to pair it if you can set it to that mode. My car can pair in such a mode to use it as a speaker for phone calls with phones that do not support the usual car features, but I admit I never tried if it would work with the Watch.
Why would that be the case when the $800+ Apple Watch Edition the last several years was exactly the same as all the other models? Your delimiting factor seems to be price. Considering that the $10k+ gold Apple Watch sold as part of series 0 had absoluitely no additional functionality, it seems pretty clear that Apple has never seen things that way when it comes to Apple Watch.
Your definition of “advanced” is flawed when it comes to this conversation. Yes, it has additional sensors, a larger battery, additional GPS band, and a (slightly) larger screen. However, the things that would affect its ability to function better independent of an iPhone, such as the SIP and cell radio, are exactly the same as all the other series 8 watches. As far as those go the Ultra, and every other Series 8 for that matter, is a warmed over Series 6.
Yes it can. Check apples support page for all the things Apple Watch ultra can do on its own
On my Ultra, I'm able to send/receive emails from my iCloud account when away from my iPhone, but not my other standard IMAP accounts. I get the error "no connection available to retrieve messages". Is this a limitation, or do I have an issue?
There is a "When not connected to iPhone" section in the mail preferences of the iPhone Watch app, and only my iCloud email is listed.
Edit: Just added an old gmail account that I no longer use, and that works fine with the iPhone turned off.
There is a "When not connected to iPhone" section in the mail preferences of the iPhone Watch app, and only my iCloud email is listed.
Edit: Just added an old gmail account that I no longer use, and that works fine with the iPhone turned off.
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ALL AW versions have the same exact limitations minus a much better battery on LTE with the Ultra which you need running standalone of LTE. (LTE is a battery killer!!)
Most 3th party apps dont work fully standalone (Not apples fault)
Lots of native Apple products dont work standalone either (Apple deliberately does this
and it sucks for me)
Examples:
iMessage is the best way to chat communicate via the AW but requires everyone you communicate with to be in the Apple eco system
Whatsapp/telegram etc only incoming messages can be replied nothing else, no whatsapp calling, no new messages can be send to someone not sending a message to you prior..
Gmail/email, you can receive a notification of a email and that`s it, no email replies, no new emails can be created and send, super limited.
2FA applications only send a notification IF you are nearby your phone otherwise no access to 2FA passwords.... which sucks!
Standard calendar app is very very limited, you can create a calendar entry but not edit it!
Kinda suck there are so many hurdles.
So you can see it severely lacks basic productivity/communication methods like it always have done in the past in standalone mode.
The lack of social media, browser, youtube is a bliss for someone like me, it is like a overly expensive dumbphone. Despite the many limitations it works for me as i hardly call or chat with people.
I will be frank, once we get Android smart watches that work fully independent i move away from apple and get a dumb phone + a fully capable standalone smart watch for communication/productivity.
They may already exist as i speak.
I really miss a properly working calendar for life management, bank, crypto and 2FA apps.
Basic email capabilities.
But given i have the AW U just a few weeks i will use it for at least 1/2 years before moving over, the AW has excellent sensors for my sporting needs but they are not miles ahead of lots of Android smartwatches anymore.
PS if you have some tips for Apps that can mitigate some of my gripes my ears are open!
Most 3th party apps dont work fully standalone (Not apples fault)
Lots of native Apple products dont work standalone either (Apple deliberately does this
and it sucks for me)Examples:
iMessage is the best way to chat communicate via the AW but requires everyone you communicate with to be in the Apple eco system
Whatsapp/telegram etc only incoming messages can be replied nothing else, no whatsapp calling, no new messages can be send to someone not sending a message to you prior..
Gmail/email, you can receive a notification of a email and that`s it, no email replies, no new emails can be created and send, super limited.
2FA applications only send a notification IF you are nearby your phone otherwise no access to 2FA passwords.... which sucks!
Standard calendar app is very very limited, you can create a calendar entry but not edit it!
Kinda suck there are so many hurdles.
So you can see it severely lacks basic productivity/communication methods like it always have done in the past in standalone mode.
The lack of social media, browser, youtube is a bliss for someone like me, it is like a overly expensive dumbphone. Despite the many limitations it works for me as i hardly call or chat with people.
I will be frank, once we get Android smart watches that work fully independent i move away from apple and get a dumb phone + a fully capable standalone smart watch for communication/productivity.
They may already exist as i speak.
I really miss a properly working calendar for life management, bank, crypto and 2FA apps.
Basic email capabilities.
But given i have the AW U just a few weeks i will use it for at least 1/2 years before moving over, the AW has excellent sensors for my sporting needs but they are not miles ahead of lots of Android smartwatches anymore.
PS if you have some tips for Apps that can mitigate some of my gripes my ears are open!
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