Cellular Apple Watch usage with iPhone turned off

[flynz4]

We have had numerous Apple Watches since the 2015 AW1 launch day, but we have never had cellular service. During this time we were on AT&T. We just switched to T-Mobile, and for the first time, added the cellular option to our cellular AW8 and AW Ultra.

There is a strange behavior I didn’t expect. The watches can only make, or receive calls if the iPhone is turned on. This is not a function of range. I can be miles from my phone, but the watch can only makes or receive calls if my iPhone is turned on.

Has this always been the case, or is it an idiosyncrasy of T-Mobile? It’s not necessarily an issue, but it’s not what I expected.

/Jim

 

[xraydoc]

We have had numerous Apple Watches since the 2015 AW1 launch day, but we have never had cellular service. During this time we were on AT&T. We just switched to T-Mobile, and for the first time, added the cellular option to our cellular AW8 and AW Ultra.

There is a strange behavior I didn’t expect. The watches can only make, or receive calls if the iPhone is turned on. This is not a function of range. I can be miles from my phone, but the watch can only makes or receive calls if my iPhone is turned on.

Has this always been the case, or is it an idiosyncrasy of T-Mobile? It’s not necessarily an issue, but it’s not what I expected.

/Jim

That's not the case for me on T-Mobile. My phone could be dead or in airplane mode and I will still be able to make and receive calls to my iPhone's number (as well as receive iMessages, email, and certain app notifications like HomeKit and some others.

The only thing that requires the phone to be on and to have some kind of a network connection (cell or wifi) is notifications for apps that don't have Watch versions and to relay standard SMS messages (not certain how RCS behaves now that it's a thing for iPhones).

 

[Shirasaki]

Probably have something to do with the carrier. Telstra here (I’m in Australia) and my phone doesn’t need to be on to receive phone call or make phone call. SMS maybe, but I don’t receive a lot of SMS nowadays so didn't notice much difference.

 

[flynz4]

That's not the case for me on T-Mobile. My phone could be dead or in airplane mode and I will still be able to make and receive calls to my iPhone's number (as well as receive iMessages, email, and certain app notifications like HomeKit and some others.

The only thing that requires the phone to be on and to have some kind of a network connection (cell or wifi) is notifications for apps that don't have Watch versions and to relay standard SMS messages (not certain how RCS behaves now that it's a thing for iPhones).

Strange. I wonder if there is a watch setting I’m missing. I’ll check with T-Mobile.

 

[markgpearse]

Based on a response to my post, I deleted my comments. I learned something new!

 

[deeddawg]

I have my new AW 10. Making calls from your Watch through your phone (via Bluetooth?) is a backup should your Watch’s standalone cellular connection on its own drop.

This doesn't make sense. The cellular radio of an Apple Watch remains turned off most of the time. If the AW loses bluetooth connection to phone, it will then turn on the Wifi radio and attempt to connect via any known wifi network. If that doesn't work, only then does it turn on the cellular radio and connect over LTE.

Quite frankly T-Mobile and Apple Watch suck. I was on the phone with T-Mobile for two hours last night. The agent was great, but today my Watch will not stay connected to T-Mobile. I have to power off and power on to get a connection that will soon drop.

I am returning my AW 10. I’ll stick with my 6. It has the same problem… but is paid for.

My T-mobile service - phone and watch - has been rock solid for years, I think we joined in 2018.

Switching service to my new AW was simple - during pairing process I was asked if I wanted to move my service to the new watch and it then did so effortlessly.

 

[markgpearse]

Thanks. Didn’t know that. Deleted my post

 

[xraydoc]

This doesn't make sense. The cellular radio of an Apple Watch remains turned off most of the time. If the AW loses bluetooth connection to phone, it will then turn on the Wifi radio and attempt to connect via any known wifi network. If that doesn't work, only then does it turn on the cellular radio and connect over LTE.




My T-mobile service - phone and watch - has been rock solid for years, I think we joined in 2018.

Switching service to my new AW was simple - during pairing process I was asked if I wanted to move my service to the new watch and it then did so effortlessly.

T-Mobile user here. No issues at all with cellular on my watch. Works transparently as it should.