Can I use a non cellular AppleWatch 9 whilst leaving the actual iPhone XR at home?

[Steven2023]

I only need to use the fitness features of an AppleWatch Series 9, Not interested in receiving sms, phonecalls, etc, and therefore in some instances I would prefer to leave the iphone XR at home.

Im assuming the data is stored on the watch and synced when it comes in proximity with the iPhone via WiFi or Bluetooth?

Is this actually the case? Or do I have to have the iphone in close proximity with the watch at all times?

 

[Apple_Robert]

It is possible to do what you want.

 

[Shirasaki]

If your Apple watch Has no cellular, data cached on your watch will not be updated until you are closer to your iPhone again, such as weather info. For workouts, route overview will also be unavailable when you are away from your iPhone. Navigation naturally will also not work.

If all you care is things like Step count, flight climbed, heart rate and so on, very basic information, then it should be ok to not bother about cellular on your apple Watch.

 

[Steven2023]

double post, see below

 

[Steven2023]

Navigation naturally will also not work.

Doesnt the watch have its own GPS? that should work independently if the phone is present or not?

If all you care is things like Step count, flight climbed, heart rate and so on,

and more importantly, sleep tracking?

 

[Shirasaki]

Shirasaki, does the watch not have its own GPS? that should work independently if the phone is present or not?

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

 

[Flowstates]

and more importantly, sleep tracking?

All functions relating to sensing done by the watch will be stored on it and buffered for upload to the iPhone/Ecosystem until the device tethers again, that includes sleep tracking that uses a combination of heartrate and gyroscopic sensing to access your cycles if I recall properly.

 

[Steven2023]

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

understood, what about sleep tracking if i left phone elsewhere? It should be possible for 12 hours or so right?

 

[Shirasaki]

understood, what about sleep tracking if i left phone elsewhere? It should be possible for 12 hours or so right?

I never owned an Apple Watch without cellular, but sleep tracking should not be impacted by the lack of cellular connectivity. Besides, chances are your iPhone gonna be near you while you sleep, so it's less of a concern IMO.

 

[Steven2023]

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

Usually tho, GPS is a separate protocol entirely.
IE incar satnavs like TomTom, Garmins, do not use cellular.

 

[Shirasaki]

Usually tho, GPS is a separate protocol entirely.
IE incar satnavs like TomTom, Garmins, do not use cellular.

Yes they are, but currently, GPS chips are bundled with cellular chips for iPhone iPad and Apple Watch. Ever wonder why iPad has no GPS for the wifi-only version? Same idea.

 

[jz0309]

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

that is incorrect, the non-cellular version has GSP as well ... check Apple specs if you don't believe me

Apple Watch

Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy life. Available in three models: Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch SE.

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[jz0309]

Doesnt the watch have its own GPS? that should work independently if the phone is present or not?

yes it does

 

[IG88]

Im assuming the data is stored on the watch and synced when it comes in proximity with the iPhone via WiFi or Bluetooth?

Thats how GAIA works. I have made tracks of numerous trails with just the Watch. When I get back near my phone, the data automatically uploads / syncs to the phone.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

This is not true. My non-cellular Watch does GPS workout tracking even away from my phone. That’s why the two models of watch are marketed as GPS and GPS + Cellular

 

[bricktop_at]

This is not true. My non-cellular Watch does GPS workout tracking even away from my phone. That’s why the two models of watch are marketed as GPS and GPS + Cellular

This exactly!

 

[Shirasaki]

This is not true. My non-cellular Watch does GPS workout tracking even away from my phone. That’s why the two models of watch are marketed as GPS and GPS + Cellular

Huh? I never bothered about wifi only version of ipad and Apple Watch so never paid attention. Seems like GPS and cellular are not bundled together At least for Apple Watch. Last time I tried wifi only iPad I couldn’t get navigation on it without tethering.

 

[Tripps9000]

Here is a idea leave your phone at home put your watch on go for a short walk from your home and see if it works then you will know🤨

 

[johnmacward]

I only need to use the fitness features of an AppleWatch Series 9, Not interested in receiving sms, phonecalls, etc, and therefore in some instances I would prefer to leave the iphone XR at home.

Im assuming the data is stored on the watch and synced when it comes in proximity with the iPhone via WiFi or Bluetooth?

Is this actually the case? Or do I have to have the iphone in close proximity with the watch at all times?

100% possible to do what you want and its incredibly transparent also - not even manual synching after, just when they're in proximity of one another they'll synchronise without you even knowing. I rarely go out with my phone when exercising and use the Watch and Bluetooth headphones as my podcast device AND it does a fine job (I run and swim far away from my phone, frequently).

 

[johnmacward]

GPS chip is baked in cellular chip, not an independent one. You want Apple Watch to have independent GPS, you have to get cellular version of it.

Do your research first please, GPS is in EVERY Apple Watch, cellular or not. I have a non cellular Watch 6 and my runs are perfetly plotted on a map when I get home. Same for hikes etc WITHOUT an iPhone with me.

 

[johnmacward]

Yes they are, but currently, GPS chips are bundled with cellular chips for iPhone iPad and Apple Watch. Ever wonder why iPad has no GPS for the wifi-only version? Same idea.

The iPad's missing GPS is an iPad unique problem. This has nothing to do with the Apple Watch however which has GPS no matter what the model.

 

[saintmac]

I only need to use the fitness features of an AppleWatch Series 9, Not interested in receiving sms, phonecalls, etc, and therefore in some instances I would prefer to leave the iphone XR at home.

Im assuming the data is stored on the watch and synced when it comes in proximity with the iPhone via WiFi or Bluetooth?

Is this actually the case? Or do I have to have the iphone in close proximity with the watch at all times?

This will absolutely work.
As soon as you get close to your phone again the watch will connect over bluetooth and they will sync seamlessly.
And it has since the Apple watch series 2. Since then, all apple watches have their own GPS chip.

Regarding navigation you won't have turn by turn as this is processed on server I believe. But you'll be able to use the compass app "backtrack" feature to get back to your starting point should you get lost.

 

[Wando64]

I only need to use the fitness features of an AppleWatch Series 9, Not interested in receiving sms, phonecalls, etc, and therefore in some instances I would prefer to leave the iphone XR at home.

Im assuming the data is stored on the watch and synced when it comes in proximity with the iPhone via WiFi or Bluetooth?

Is this actually the case? Or do I have to have the iphone in close proximity with the watch at all times?

You can use the fitness app without the phone nearby, but unless you are exercising with a bunch of other people I would recommend that you always keep your phone with you. You never know when you might need it to call for assistance in case of accident. Also, without the phone your watch would not be able to call emergency services in case of a fall.

 

[curnalpanic]

The options for the Watch are "GPS" or "GPS + Cellular". So either way you get GPS.

Cellular is only necessary for making calls or downloading stuff when away from your phone. Without it, you have to sync stuff beforehand. But of course you never lose anything, it just takes a bit when you get back home to sync everything up.

 

[chrfr]

Yes they are, but currently, GPS chips are bundled with cellular chips for iPhone iPad and Apple Watch. Ever wonder why iPad has no GPS for the wifi-only version? Same idea.

This is not true with recent watch models. All of them support GPS. In fact, Apple calls the 2 different watch variations “GPS” and “GPS+Cellular.”
Obivously you can’t load maps dynamically but GPS data is recorded in workouts even if the phone is not nearby.

Everything a GPS-only Apple Watch can do without an iPhone

From tracking activity to setting alarms, there's a ton a GPS-only Apple Watch can do.

www.imore.com

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Learn what you can do with your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't with you.

support.apple.com