Old Apple Watch I would like to use as nothing but a watch

[LordeOurMother]

I have an old Apple Watch I love the look of, that still holds a decent charge. I just need to replace the screen as I cracked it, this particular watch has sentimental value to me, or I'd just get a new one.

Anyways. I no longer use a smartphone (internet addiction) but would still like to use the Apple Watch as a regular watch.

If all I want is to set a time face on it, then forget it (I need NO other connectivity), would I be able to buy a super cheap used iPhone, connect it to the watch, and then wipe the iPhone and sell it again?

 

[44267547]

Number one, you never mentioned which ‘old’ Apple Watch you actually own, so you might need to be more specific here. (As in Gen 1 or Series 1)...which leads me to the following below:

But to be more technical, to answer your question, no. You would have to make sure the watch is supported through the current version of iOS that you’re actually referring to, meaning; that watchOS Would have to be current with the version of iOS to actually pair successfully, which requires the latest download version of the watch App, which you will be prompted to install the latest version, which you cannot, because watchOS is no longer supported if this is a first Gen watch.

 

[LordeOurMother]

Number one, you never mentioned which ‘old’ Apple Watch you actually own, so you might need to be more specific here. (As in Gen 1 or Series 1)...which leads me to the following below:

But to be more technical, to answer your question, no. You would have to make sure the watch is supported through the current version of iOS that you’re actually referring to, meaning; that watchOS Would have to be current with the version of iOS to actually pair successfully, which requires the latest download version of the watch App, which you will be prompted to install the latest version, which you cannot, because watchOS is no longer supported if this is a first Gen watch.

Fair enough.

It’s a series two.

So what you’re saying is if the watchOS is concurrent with the iOS, it’s fine?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Fair enough.

It’s a series two.

So what you’re saying is if the watchOS is concurrent with the iOS, it’s fine?

The watch has to be able to pair with your phone, even if all you want to do is use it as a watch.

 

[LordeOurMother]

The watch has to be able to pair with your phone, even if all you want to do is use it as a watch.

I seem to remember when I lost my phone a few years ago, sans phone it continued to act as a watch for a bit.

 

[antbob]

I havent done this but I dont see why you cant. You can also disable wi-fi and bluetooth on it in settings so they dont drain battery. I wouldnt wipe and sell that iPhone tho bc you gonna end up needing to change or adjust something at some point eg even adjusting time requires an iPhone. In your situation I would switch that iPhone off and give it to a trusted person to hold on to for you, like family member or a good friend.

 

[spooklog]

The Apple Watch needs some kind of connectivity to keep accurate time. iPhones, and the watch, check with what are called "time servers" on the internet. I can't say for if this precludes doing what you want to do, but it should be a consideration.

But I love it that you have such a sentimental attachment to the watch--whatever you do, keep it.

 

[LordeOurMother]

Thanks for the replies! I actually just answered my own question - I just pulled my shattered Watch out of the drawer and charged it - you can indeed use the watch as just a watch without an iPhone, as its currently working and that iPhone no longer exists (gave it to recycling). As antbob pointed out, you would however need to pair with a phone to change the time, it seems!

I may just sync to a family member's device when daylights savings time comes around, then =).

 

[LordeOurMother]

Even better... there's a feature in the settings to set your watch time ahead by 59 minutes, so if you set the clock up during the fall, you can just put it ahead 59 minutes during the summer.

 

[LordeOurMother]

This just keeps getting better... the crack in my Series 2 is consistent with the free repair service in the screen replacement program. =)