New to Apple Watch: Advice, please.

[The Cockney Rebel]

Hello all.

Just got my new S7 Apple Watch.

Set up separation, walked all the way to the end of the road without my iPhone, but no notification?

What apps would you suggest I download?

What settings should I change?

Can I get mail in a complication?

Any other advice you think I should know?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SisterBlue22]

"Separation"?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

"Separation"?

Yes, when you accidentally leave a device behind, like your iPhone, you’re supposed to get a notification on your Apple Watch.

 

[beach bum]

Yes, when you accidentally leave a device behind, like your iPhone, you’re supposed to get a notification on your Apple Watch.

Is it Wi-Fi only or cellular. If Wi-Fi how far does your signal extend? If cellular, have you activated the service with your carrier?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Is it Wi-Fi only or cellular. If Wi-Fi how far does your signal extend? If cellular, have you activated the service with your carrier?

My AW does not have cellular.

Your response just prompted me to check to see if Wi-Fi was on or off on my iPhone: It was off.

Does Wi-Fi have to be on for this feature to work?

Thanks.

 

[beach bum]

My AW does not have cellular.

Your response just prompted me to check to see if Wi-Fi was on or off on my iPhone: It was off.

Does Wi-Fi have to be on for this feature to work?

Thanks.

I would think that Wi-Fi should be turned on for that feature to work. Otherwise, how would the AW pick up any signals/notifications from your phone if the two aren’t ’speaking’ to each other? If turning on and the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, give Apple a call so they can walk you through how the feature works and how it is activated.

Honestly, I’m still waiting for my AW7 to come in (11/2-9 delivery) so I’m only going on what makes sense to me. Congratulations on the new AW! I hope that you are enjoying it. 😁

 

[Apple_Robert]

If the watch is away from the phone and not on Wifi, I don't believe you are going to get "Find My" separated from device notifications until the watch is (once again) connected to Wifi and or your phone.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I would think that Wi-Fi should be turned on for that feature to work. Otherwise, how would the AW pick up any signals/notifications from your phone if the two aren’t ’speaking’ to each other? If turning on and the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, give Apple a call so they can walk you through how the feature works and how it is activated.

Honestly, I’m still waiting for my AW7 to come in (11/2-9 delivery) so I’m only going on what makes sense to me. Congratulations on the new AW! I hope that you are enjoying it. 😁

Thanks.

I thought it used Bluetooth.

I’ll try again tomorrow with Wi-Fi enabled.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Ok, so it’s the early hours of the morning here in the UK, and I just walked right around the block, like a nutter.

No notification on my AW.

This was the number one reason for me buying it. If it doesn’t work, it’s going back.

Wi-Fi is on, on both devices.

In the Find My app on my iPhone, my AW is stated as “not supported” and the option to notify when left behind is greyed out?

 

[beach bum]

Ok, so it’s the early hours of the morning here in the UK, and I just walked right around the block, like a nutter.

No notification on my AW.

This was the number one reason for me buying it. If it doesn’t work, it’s going back.

Wi-Fi is on, on both devices.

In the Find My app on my iPhone, my AW is stated as “not supported” and the option to notify when left behind is greyed out?

It seems that your wi-fi signal does not extend the distances when you are away from your phone. At most, wi-fi signals extend maybe 50-100 feet from source. If you want to receive notifications, calls or alerts when away from your phone, you will need to purchase the GPS + Cellular model and activate the ‘wearables’ on your carrier account.

Your phone should automatically switch to 4G/5G/LTE when away from your wi-fi signal, so you should be able to retrieve notifications on your watch as long as your phone is with you. Again, you may want to call Apple to discuss your options in what you hope to achieve with your purchase and let them tell you what is possible with wi-fi only vs GPS + Cellular.

Your only other option is to carry your phone with you when you are out of the house and wearing the AW, and if I understand your purpose, you do not want to always carry your phone with you when out and about. I’m sorry if the AW is not meeting your objectives.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

It seems that your wi-fi signal does not extend the distances when you are away from your phone. At most, wi-fi signals extend maybe 50-100 feet from source. If you want to receive notifications, calls or alerts when away from your phone, you will need to purchase the GPS + Cellular model and activate the ‘wearables’ on your carrier account.

Your phone should automatically switch to 4G/5G/LTE when away from your wi-fi signal, so you should be able to retrieve notifications on your watch as long as your phone is with you. Again, you may want to call Apple to discuss your options in what you hope to achieve with your purchase and let them tell you what is possible with wi-fi only vs GPS + Cellular.

Your only other option is to carry your phone with you when you are out of the house and wearing the AW, and if I understand your purpose, you do not want to always carry your phone with you when out and about. I’m sorry if the AW is not meeting your objectives.

Thank you for your advice.

However, I don’t wish to use the AW when away from my iPhone.

I simply want to be alerted if/when I accidentally leave my iPhone behind somewhere.

Hope you understand what I’m trying to achieve, now.

Thanks.

 

[beach bum]

Thank you for your advice.

However, I don’t wish to use the AW when away from my iPhone.

I simply want to be alerted if/when I accidentally leave my iPhone behind somewhere.

Hope you understand what I’m trying to achieve, now.

Thanks.

Ok, then I am at a loss. I’d advise giving Apple a call. Good luck!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I’ve been out, walking around the block so many times, I must look like a crack dealer.

I even received achievements!

 

[Night Spring]

I think there's a setting somewhere that lets you specify where NOT to notify you if you leave your phone. Look around and make sure it's not set so that it doesn't notify you when you leave your phone at home.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think there's a setting somewhere that lets you specify where NOT to notify you if you leave your phone. Look around and make sure it's not set so that it doesn't notify you when you leave your phone at home.

Thanks, bud.

I already removed the two known places, but it still isn’t working.

I have a feeling this feature is only available for AWs with cellular capability.

If that’s the case, it’s useless.

 

[Night Spring]

Can't find the relevant threads now, but I remember people complaining about this when the feature was rolled out. It seems it's designed to show notifications on the phone when it loses touch with other devices, such as AirPods and Apple watch. So when you walk away from your phone, notification appears ON YOUR PHONE that it's lost touch with your watch. Which is the opposite of how you'd expect it to work.

People also said an app called Phone Buddy does notify you when you leave your phone behind. I haven't used it myself, but I've seen people recommend it in this forum.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Just my luck, at the moment.

Literally the one feature I wanted and it’s not working.

There is an update available for the AW, but I’m at my nan’s and she doesn’t have Wi-Fi.

Maybe updating will sort it?

Can I update the AW using cellular data from my iPhone?

What happened to Apple products “just working”?

Thanks for the info.

 

[matrix07]

In the Find My app on my iPhone, my AW is stated as “not supported” and the option to notify when left behind is greyed out?

My AW, S5, is not supported as well. I believe all Apple Watch is not supported. I might be wrong.

The point of separation alerts is it will alert when you leave devices behind, things like key with AirTag attached, or your iPhone. So you should check if your iPhone supported. Mind does and it alert me when I leave my phone behind.
If it doesn't alert you when you left iPhone behind, check your home location that is it on the exception list.

 

[bricktop_at]

„separation“ doesn’t kick in when you leave the phone at home. ;-)

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

„separation“ doesn’t kick in when you leave the phone at home. ;-)

It should do, bud, because I’ve removed home from the “safe” places.

My main reason for this feature is if/when I leave my phone in my car, and that could and has been when I arrive home.

Also, what if I forget my iPhone at home, and get miles away, only to realise then that I don’t have it?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

My AW, S5, is not supported as well. I believe all Apple Watch is not supported. I might be wrong.

The point of separation alerts is it will alert when you leave devices behind, things like key with AirTag attached, or your iPhone. So you should check if your iPhone supported. Mind does and it alert me when I leave my phone behind.
If it doesn't alert you when you left iPhone behind, check your home location that is it on the exception list.

Thanks for the response.

I have a 12 Pro Max & a S7 AW, so both are supported.

I have removed the location I am at from the exception list.

The watch should alert me when it disconnects from the iPhone, which from my testing, is when I leave this house. You get the small red box icon at the top of the watch’s screen. Then, it should alert you that you’ve left your iPhone behind.

I’ve read countless articles/discussions, and this appears to be a bug.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think I’m going to have to reset this AW.

It appears to be buggy.

Just checked location services, and hand washing is listed twice, with two different settings.

Looks like a complete reset is needed.

 

[ukms]

„separation“ doesn’t kick in when you leave the phone at home. ;-)

I believe this is correct ….. the notifications for items ‘left behind’ are sent to your phone. I am not aware of a way for your watch to receive an alert if your phone is left behind even if you do have cellular. I have cellular on my watch and I can’t find a way to set this up.

 

[bricktop_at]

It should do, bud, because I’ve removed home from the “safe” places.

My main reason for this feature is if/when I leave my phone in my car, and that could and has been when I arrive home.

Also, what if I forget my iPhone at home, and get miles away, only to realise then that I don’t have it?

Ah OK I see….

So far it worked quite reliable for me, on the S5 and S6 at least, didn’t test it with the S4. I have BT and WiFi enabled on all my devices.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I believe this is correct ….. the notifications for items ‘left behind’ are sent to your phone. I am not aware of a way for your watch to receive an alert if your phone is left behind even if you do have cellular. I have cellular on my watch and I can’t find a way to set this up.

Not correct, buddy.

It is absolutely logical to have a separation notification on a device which is strapped to your wrist.