Help a noob understand if I can use the Apple Watch? -- Edit WatchOS10 update

[darkus]

I want to get an Apple Watch mainly to use for workouts, to show my distance run, heart rate, etc.. I also want to use it to play music while I do my workouts.

I do not intent to use it for phone calls or notifications or even to tell time.

From what I know about apple, just to set the watch up I will have to pair it to my phone and log into to it with my Apple ID. Thats fine

But what I really want to avoid is having any of my contacts or messages or notifications goto the watch.

Reading up on this question, it looks like I would have to go into each apps notification settings (including iMessage) and turn off notifications to the watch. Seems like a pain, especially as I prospectively add apps.

Is there an easy global setting to use the watch the way I want? Basically have it use my account for activation or whatever it would need for basic setup, and then otherwise run independent of my account after that and just run as a standard fitness watch. I want to make sure the watch really is something for me, or if I should just go with a standard fitness watch

Thanks!

 

[fwmireault]

I don't think there is one unique toggle doing exactly what you're looking for, but disabling notifications for each app really is not that long. 5 min max. And yes you will add apps in the future, but you will see that not many new apps will appear on your watch after a few weeks. It is really not that much of a pain to disable notifications for the 2-3 new apps a year you will have on your watch

 

[darkus]

I don't think there is one unique toggle doing exactly what you're looking for, but disabling notifications for each app really is not that long. 5 min max. And yes you will add apps in the future, but you will see that not many new apps will appear on your watch after a few weeks. It is really not that much of a pain to disable notifications for the 2-3 new apps a year you will have on your watch

Thanks, when you have the watch off your wrist (but still powered up) are notifications going to the watch by default?

 

[fwmireault]

Thanks, when you have the watch off your wrist (but still powered up) are notifications going to the watch by default?

If you're not wearing the watch, the notification will be displayed on your iPhone. But your notification may show up on your watch's notification center once you put it back, except if you dismissed it on your iPhone

 

[Night Spring]

There's a setting somewhere you can toggle to prevent new apps from automatically installing on the watch. Turning off notifications from third party apps is very simple -- they are in a list, with on/off toggles next to their names, just turn them all off. Turning off notifications from Apple apps require going down a menu level for each app, so will take longer, but you only have to do this once when you first get the watch.

 

[darkus]

If you're not wearing the watch, the notification will be displayed on your iPhone. But your notification may show up on your watch's notification center once you put it back, except if you dismissed it on your iPhone

There's a setting somewhere you can toggle to prevent new apps from automatically installing on the watch. Turning off notifications from third party apps is very simple -- they are in a list, with on/off toggles next to their names, just turn them all off. Turning off notifications from Apple apps require going down a menu level for each app, so will take longer, but you only have to do this once when you first get the watch.

And if I give someone my watch to use for their workouts, they will be able to see all my iMessages right? From some old threads it looks like theres no way to totaly turn off iMessages on the watch? Or is it possible to log out of your Apple ID but still have the watch function otherwise normally? Thats how I have a family shared iPad working

 

[Howard2k]

it’s a personal device. To let someone else use it they’d have to pair it with their phone. If they workout with your watch while it’s paired to your phone then their health stats and your health stats will get mixed up.

 

[fwmireault]

Or is it possible to log out of your Apple ID but still have the watch function otherwise normally?

This is not possible, you'll have to do the whole pairing process each time you change the Apple ID. It is not meant to be shared between multiple people

 

[xraydoc]

I want to get an Apple Watch mainly to use for workouts, to show my distance run, heart rate, etc.. I also want to use it to play music while I do my workouts.

I do not intent to use it for phone calls or notifications or even to tell time.

From what I know about apple, just to set the watch up I will have to pair it to my phone and log into to it with my Apple ID. Thats fine

But what I really want to avoid is having any of my contacts or messages or notifications goto the watch.

Reading up on this question, it looks like I would have to go into each apps notification settings (including iMessage) and turn off notifications to the watch. Seems like a pain, especially as I prospectively add apps.

Is there an easy global setting to use the watch the way I want? Basically have it use my account for activation or whatever it would need for basic setup, and then otherwise run independent of my account after that and just run as a standard fitness watch. I want to make sure the watch really is something for me, or if I should just go with a standard fitness watch

Thanks!

Honestly, and this is coming from someone who’s worn an Apple Watch for the last 8 years, if that’s all you want, get a Fitbit or a Garmin or something. Setting up the watch and then turning off virtually everything is going to frustrate you, and you won’t be happy when some notification ends up on your watch instead of the phone somehow or another.

If you do try it, buy from somewhere with a good return policy.

 

[darkus]

Honestly, and this is coming from someone who’s worn an Apple Watch for the last 8 years, if that’s all you want, get a Fitbit or a Garmin or something. Setting up the watch and then turning off virtually everything is going to frustrate you, and you won’t be happy when some notification ends up on your watch instead of the phone somehow or another.

If you do try it, buy from somewhere with a good return policy.

Totally agree, that gets to the jist of my question. The only reason I’m considering this route is so I could carry my music on me on runs and leave the phone behind. But it looks like fit bit might be the answer

 

[teh_hunterer]

And if I give someone my watch to use for their workouts, they will be able to see all my iMessages right? From some old threads it looks like theres no way to totaly turn off iMessages on the watch? Or is it possible to log out of your Apple ID but still have the watch function otherwise normally? Thats how I have a family shared iPad working

The watch is intended to be a personal device, not meant for sharing.

It sounds like you want to get the Apple Watch and then turn off every single reason why anyone would even want an Apple Watch in the first place.

 

[Night Spring]

Totally agree, that gets to the jist of my question. The only reason I’m considering this route is so I could carry my music on me on runs and leave the phone behind. But it looks like fit bit might be the answer

Maybe you could find an iPod nano somewhere.

 

[MarkX]

Totally agree, that gets to the jist of my question. The only reason I’m considering this route is so I could carry my music on me on runs and leave the phone behind. But it looks like fit bit might be the answer

The newer fitbit models don't allow for music streaming or storage. Just get a garmin, that would work best for your needs.

 

[BlackBun]

Maybe a stop watch would be better.

 

[jaymc]

Buy your watch at an Apple Store and have them set it up the way you want it. Done.

 

[darkus]

The newer fitbit models don't allow for music streaming or storage. Just get a garmin, that would work best for your needs.

Yup you are right, just read up on the 265 music, it seems to be the right one. Can just load songs right onto it and use it offline while running. Thank you sir

 

[darkus]

Buy your watch at an Apple Store and have them set it up the way you want it. Done.

I have a feeling a future watchOS version will do what im asking, something more along the lines of iPadOS/iPhoneOS and I'll be first in line 👍

 

[darkus]

Bringing this thread back from the dead, for those who have tried watchOS 10 and see if there are any changes on this front.
Namely, on watchOS 10 is it possible to turn off all syncing of phone calls and iMessages to the watch? Not just turning off notifications, but turn off all syncing so the messages and phone calls never hit the watch?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Bringing this thread back from the dead, for those who have tried watchOS 10 and see if there are any changes on this front.
Namely, on watchOS 10 is it possible to turn off all syncing of phone calls and iMessages to the watch? Not just turning off notifications, but turn off all syncing so the messages and phone calls never hit the watch?

No changes like you've described have been made, nor do I believe they ever will