Q: I was able to receive and send text messages (NOT iMessage) from my apple watch even though I'd left my phone at work, 10 miles away. How is this possible?
My phone does not connect to wi-fi at work because it's a restricted network. I do have a macbook and ipad at home, but the iPad was dead (battery depleted) and my macbook had power, but was asleep. I don't understand. Kept thinking my phone must be in my bag if I was getting texts, but found it at my desk this morning. Is my watch somehow "working" through my ASLEEP macbook?
Posted on Mar 3, 2016 4:04 AM
Hi
Subject to your carrier supporting Wi-Fi Calling and to the feature having been enabled on your iPhone, Wi-Fi Calling can be used to make and receive phone calls and also - when supported by the carrier - for text messaging / SMS over Wi-Fi.
When Wi-Fi Calling is enabled on your iPhone, the service is also available via Apple Watch, including when it is connected to a known Wi-Fi network and the paired iPhone is unavailable.
In the US, for example, both AT&T and T-Mobile presently support sending and receiving text messages via Wi-Fi Calling.
More information:
- Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling - Apple Support
- Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone - Apple Support
- AT&T:
- "Text messages you send or receive with Wi-Fi Calling count the same as regular text messages."
- https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/features/wifi-calling.html
- T-Mobile:
- "Now you can call and text virtually anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi connection on iPhones running iOS 8 or newer. This includes the latest iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. You need to enable Wi-Fi Calling to enjoy the benefits".
- http://www.t-mobile.com/offer/wifi-calling-wifi-extenders.html
Posted on Mar 3, 2016 6:27 AM