When considering your options for an Apple Watch, there are two main types to consider: Bluetooth (GPS only), and cellular.
The Bluetooth (GPS only) version will require your iPhone to be in close range for many of its features to work, while the cellular version will have full functionality without needing to be in the range of your iPhone.
But will a cellular watch also have its own phone number?
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Can An Apple Watch Have Its Own Phone Number?
Yes, cellular Apple Watches have their own number tied to the watch, but it is not necessarily a number that you can call and reach the watch at.
A different number is tied to the Apple Watch SIM for the purpose of your cellphone carrier differentiating between devices for the billing cycle.
Either way, if you choose not to answer your phone for whatever reason or you’re away from your iPhone, the call will also be forwarded to your watch, and you can answer there.
Additionally, you can make outgoing calls from your watch without the need for your phone to be nearby.
Because, alternatively, if your watch is only connected to your phone via Bluetooth and too far away from it, the calls will not be transmitted.
Can An Apple Watch’s Number Be Called?
If anyone tries to call your watch’s number instead of your iPhone’s, they will receive a message saying that the number cannot be reached.
This is because the two numbers are tied together for the purpose of call forwarding and hand-offs, with the iPhone being the primary.
It is also for your convenience of not needing to remember a separate number.
Can The Apple Watch And The iPhone Have The Same Number?
Up until very recently, the watch needed a separate number than the iPhone, again, for the express purpose of the cellphone carrier knowing which device was which on the plan.
However, since 2020, major US carriers are allowing for the watch and the phone to have the same number.
At the time of writing this, here’s what those carriers allow:
Verizon NumberShare
You can share your phone number with up to five Apple Watches or Samsung Smartwatches.
AT&T NumberSync
Allows sharing for up to five synced smartwatches, and all watches will receive calls – though, this is notably not available internationally
T-Mobile DIGITS
This service requires the use of the DIGITS app from the App Store but does allow you to share your number between your phone and your watch
The biggest benefit to sharing services is that you can have multiple watches synced to the phone without the need for other numbers.
Functionally, however, these services are better used when sharing your phone number across not just watches, but also iPads or other devices.
However, you can check with your carrier to see if these services are cheaper than getting a separate number tied to the Apple Watch.
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Can You Have An Apple Watch Without An iPhone?
Ever since 2015, the Apple Watch was designed and marketed as an accessory to the iPhone.
The watch and the iPhone were connected via Bluetooth and had to be paired and within range for phone calls and notifications to go through.
In 2017, cellular watches became more prominent, which meant that calls and notifications could be sent even if the iPhone and the watch were nowhere near each other.
Using Family Setup To Use An Apple Watch Without An iPhone?
In late 2020, Apple announced that you can get a watch without a separate iPhone through a feature called Family Setup.
Family Setup is geared to be used by children or older adults who do not want to be responsible for an entire iPhone or need all the features.
But having the watch on their wrists will allow them to make calls, send texts, and share GPS locations with their relatives without an iPhone in their pocket or bag.
This does mean that someone in the house must have an iPhone to administrate the account, but once that is set up, the watches will then have their own numbers and Apple accounts independent of the administrator’s iPhone and Apple account.
Family Setup also allows for a Schooltime mode, which means parents can restrict their children from accessing certain apps during certain times.
Additionally, parents can send money to the watch and the kids can spend it through Apple Pay.
While Family Setup is designed for parents and caregivers, it is extremely likely that in the next several years, watches will be able to be completely independent of phones, where watches are the only cellular device you own.
How To Setup An Apple Watch With Family Setup
With Family Setup you no longer need to have an iPhone to be able to use the most important features of an Apple Watch.
This is especially important if you want to use an Apple Watch to keep in touch with your child but don’t necessarily want them to own their own expensive iPhone.
There are tons of features on the watch that will help to keep your child safe but Family Setup is also convenient for any adult who wants to use call, text, and other features of an Apple watch without having to have their own iPhone.
To set things up with Family Setup you will need a cellular Apple Watch that is at least a series 4 and you or some other adult you trust will have to own an iPhone which runs the latest IOS Software.
Setting It Up
On your iPhone, go into “Settings“, “Apple ID” and enter the “Family Sharing Settings Page“.
Next, tap on “Add Member“.
From here, you can follow the next few steps to invite people or to create an account for a child to use the Apple Watch without having to have their own iPhone.
Once you have your child’s account set up or you have invited somebody, switch to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and press “Start Pairing“.
Next tap “Setup For A Family Member” And you’ll see the “Family Setup Page“.
Keep pressing “Continue” until you get to the “Pairing Screen” and then tap on your Apple watch to begin pairing.
Tap on the watch name that shows up on your iPhone and enter the code displayed on your watch’s screen.
After a few seconds, the watch should be paired and you can continue setting it up.
Should I Get An Apple Watch Cellular?
If you don’t always want to have your iPhone with you but would still like to make phone calls, and use apps like Spotify, then getting a cellular Apple Watch might be a good idea.
For example, if you’re out running and would like to listen to Spotify and have the ability to receive an emergency call without the need for a bulky phone in your pocket, cellular on your watch will be beneficial.
Not having cellular and being on Bluetooth will mean that for several features like music streaming, calls, emails, and messages, you will need to have your iPhone nearby.
With cellular, your watch will allow you to disconnect from the distractions of your iPhone while still holding onto essential functionality – like access to activity apps and the ability to make and receive emails, texts, and calls.
However, when using cellular to connect, the battery of your Apple Watch will drain a lot faster when compared to using GPS and Bluetooth.
Also, some watches that come built with more premium materials, like stainless steel, can only be bought as a cellular version.
How Does An Apple Watch Cellular Work?
We’ve been talking loads about the pros and cons of cellular Apple Watches but how do they work and what makes them better than the Bluetooth (GPS) versions?
The cellular version connects to your LTE network, allowing you to connect to the internet and mobile data through your current carrier plan, even when your iPhone is off or far away from your watch.
With LTE coverage your watch can place calls, receive messages, email, use third-party apps, and do just about anything a GPS-only Apple Watch can do, without having to be in the range of your iPhone.
If your iPhone is out of power, out of range, or just switched off, your Apple Watch will still be able to send and receive data by connecting to a cellular network.
Conclusion
Apple Watches may or may not have their own number separate from your iPhone, depending on how much you would like your Apple Watch to work independently from your iPhone and whether you choose the Bluetooth or cellular type.
