Wifi and Watch

[random-uk]

In the second Watch event, this was said:

"When you're home you don't have to be within bluetooth range of your phone. You can be anywhere in your house and still get all your messages and take your phone calls just like that." - Kevin Lynch

Has anyone been able to get that to work? When I'm out of bluetooth range but on the same wifi network, all I'm able to get to work is the onboard apps: fitness, photos etc.

No Siri, no iMessages, no dictation, no notifications.

Anyone else have a different experience?

 

[Swiss-G]

In the second Watch event, this was said:

"When you're home you don't have to be within bluetooth range of your phone. You can be anywhere in your house and still get all your messages and take your phone calls just like that." - Kevin Lynch

Has anyone been able to get that to work? When I'm out of bluetooth range but on the same wifi network, all I'm able to get to work is the onboard apps: fitness, photos etc.

No Siri, no iMessages, no dictation, no notifications.

Anyone else have a different experience?

From the manual, so you should be able to use those functions.

Apple Watch uses Bluetooth® wireless technology to connect to its paired iPhone and uses the iPhone for many wireless functions. Apple Watch can’t configure new Wi-Fi networks on its own, but it can connect to Wi-Fi networks you’ve set up on the paired iPhone.
If your Apple Watch and iPhone are on the same network but aren’t connected by Bluetooth, you can also do the following on Apple Watch without iPhone:
• Send and receive messages using iMessage
• Send and receive Digital Touch messages
• Use Siri

 

[darkarw]

I started a thread about this late last night.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1873536/

 

[random-uk]

Yes, I read that bit too but it doesn't seem to work for me. For example, if my iPhone is on my wifi and I turn off bluetooth (to simulate being out of bluetooth range) Watch can no longer do Siri.

If I leave bluetooth on but move physically away from my phone until I see the red disconnected icon on Watch, Siri no longer works.

I was wondering if I'd set something up wrong or whether there is a bug in the software.

 

[jannette]

In the second Watch event, this was said:

"When you're home you don't have to be within bluetooth range of your phone. You can be anywhere in your house and still get all your messages and take your phone calls just like that." - Kevin Lynch

Has anyone been able to get that to work? When I'm out of bluetooth range but on the same wifi network, all I'm able to get to work is the onboard apps: fitness, photos etc.

No Siri, no iMessages, no dictation, no notifications.

Anyone else have a different experience?

Try removing your network from your iPhone and then adding it back again - that worked for me and I can make calls when the BT on my iPhone is off. Also try standing near your router and see if the Watch connects.

 

[random-uk]

I started a thread about this late last night.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1873536/

Ah sorry, didn't see that. I'll add my bits to your thread.

 

[random-uk]

Try removing your network from your iPhone and then adding it back again - that worked for me and I can make calls when the BT on my iPhone is off. Also try standing near your router and see if the Watch connects.

Thanks jannette, that made it work for me. Siri, Remote etc now working over wifi.

 

[tivoboy]

it does work

I got this working on Saturday, yes once you have paired and setup the watch and IF you don't take it off the wrist (or you have to re-authenticate), then it will use the wifi for connectivity and make calls, get notifications, etc.

 

[macgeek01]

There are all ready several threads about this with a lot of info and different people's experience. Do a search.

 

[Newbie67]

This is great info. Thanks for the help on resetting the network. Seems to work.

I posted this over the weekend and I believe what you guys are saying

I believe that all functions seem to work on wifi provided there is an established Bluetooth connection with the phone first. I ran a few tests on wifi
1- shut off BT on phone- watch working all functions go (Edit- see below no calls)
2- shut off wifi on phone- watch lost connection, red disconnect icon displayed. No functions
3- next turned wifi on phone. No change in watch, no connection
4- restarted watch, phone still on wifi only. No connection after watch restarted
5- turned on BT on phone wifi still on. Immediate connection on watch. All functions
6- turned off BT on phone. Watch still connected via wifi

Simply seems like the watch needs a BT handoff in order to exchange network information so it can stay connected on wifi.

That's my science project for Saturday morning. Any input from my geek brethren ?

SS 42 model
Originally Posted by Newbie67