In today’s world of social media and doomscrolling, an excessive amount of screen time is nearly inevitable, especially since work is becoming increasingly digital. Therefore, if there’s a way to reduce this screen time in any capacity, I’m all for it!
So I went on a one week (because, well, work) detox and used my Apple Watch without my phone.
Can You Use Apple Watch Without A Phone?
Yes, you can use your Apple Watch as a standalone device but the initial setup for an Apple Watch needs an iPhone. So, if you’re planning to buy an Apple Watch for solely using it on its own, just know that you will be requiring an iPhone for the Apple Watch to pair with and start working.
That being said, Family Setup is a way that you can set up the Apple Watch for your kids or any other family member without them having a phone altogether. Similarly, the Apple Watch can also be used with an Android phone, but then again, the initial setup will require an iPhone.
Now, in my experiment, there are a few limitations to using your Apple Watch without a phone. Not all apps and features work the same when not synced with a phone.
Here is everything you can do on your Apple Watch without your iPhone
Make and receive calls
To make and receive calls on the network, we do need a Cellular + GPS Apple Watch, however, even on the GPS Apple Watch, FaceTime audio calls are placed using a Wi-Fi network. Although, if you are planning on using your Apple Watch as a standalone device for a longer period of time and not just for a little detox, I do recommend buying a Cellular version in order to stay connected even when you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi network.
Send and receive text messages
Anyone who knows me knows I’m more of a texting person than someone who calls or even leaves voicemails. But not having my phone and relying solely on my Apple Watch for a week made me switch to calls because texting on a small screen, while possible, isn’t the most convenient.
Again, texting over Wi-Fi is possible via iMessages, but I do recommend getting a Cellular Apple Watch just in case you’re planning on using the Apple Watch as a standalone device in order to stay connected with your friends and family without having to scour around looking for a Wi-Fi network.
Listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts
This was probably my second most used feature on my Apple Watch, calls and texts being the first. This is because I could easily download music, audiobooks, and podcasts on my Apple Music or Spotify and listen to them at the gym. If I don’t have these downloaded, even then, connecting to Wi-Fi gives me access to my music.
Use Apple Pay
Apple Pay is available to make contactless payments via the Apple Watch at stores. It doesn’t require me to carry my cards or cash when I’m out running errands since it has Apple Wallet, which stores my credit cards. So, even if I didn’t carry my phone or my wallet, my Apple Watch made it possible for me to make payments at most grocery stores and gas stations without hassle.
Track health metrics
The Apple Watch records and syncs all its data with the iPhone, which is then displayed on the Health app on the iPhone. However, even without using the phone, all my health metrics, such as heart rate, sleep, steps, blood oxygen, etc, are recorded, and I was able to look at them via my watch.
Track activity and workouts
Similar to health metrics, my Apple Watch even tracks my daily steps and workouts without needing my phone. I can record my gym workouts, yoga sessions, outdoor walks, swimming sessions, and much more. Even get the workout time, total and active calories, average heart rate and pace, all at my wrist.
Of course, having this data displayed on a bigger screen and having access to previous workouts is only possible on the phone via the Health app, but for a detox purpose, this is good enough.
Fall and crash detection
The Apple Watch can detect a hard fall or even a car crash and call emergency services. The crash detection is available on Apple Watch Series 8 and above, including the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and the Apple Watch Ultra. The fall detection is available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
This is an especially useful feature for senior citizens prone to fractures and other health issues caused by falling. This feature is one of the main reasons why I like the Apple Watch for senior citizens.
Set alarms and timers
Removing another use for my phone, the Apple Watch lets me set alarms and timers because God knows I will never wake up with just one alarm. This is also a good option for just keeping my Apple Watch by my bedside to alert me of the alarms I’ve set and not actually wearing the watch to bed because that isn’t the most comfortable way, in my opinion, to track sleep.
Find people and devices
Just like using the FindMy app on my iPhone, I was able to keep track of my family and friends via the FindMy app on my Apple Watch in case I needed to get a hold of them and they weren’t answering their phones. Similarly, I could also use this app in order to find my other Apple items in case I misplaced them and then forgot where they are.
Use Maps
The Apple Watch also allowed me to navigate without having my phone with me, which was a big help. This does require a constant Wi-Fi connection, which is not possible while driving around, therefore, again, it needs a Cellular Apple Watch to work smoothly.
Use transit and student ID cards
Just like Apple Wallet holds my credit cards, any contactless travel and transit passes appear on my Apple Watch’s smart stack. This can be used just like I use my Apple Pay. And if you’re a student, your Apple Watch can also hold your IDs and work the same way by reading those passes when you place your Apple Watch within a few centimetres of the reader.
Wrap Up
As good as it felt to reduce my screen time and go without my phone for a few days, a week is the maximum I could pull off. Not to say that the Apple Watch didn’t work without an iPhone, but having an iPhone work in sync with my Apple Watch definitely elevates the experience.
