HT205025: If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone

Learn about If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone
LAKiwi

Q: Does BlueTooth have to be enabled at all times

Does BlueTooth need to be on at all times on the iPhone to be connected to the iWatch.? I usually only have it on when I'm connected to a BT headset as it uses too much battery.

Watch Series 2(Alum) 42MM (2nd gen), watchOS 3

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 1:03 PM

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Q: Does BlueTooth have to be enabled at all times

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 20, 2016 1:04 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 10 (122,858 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 20, 2016 1:04 PM in response to LAKiwi

    Yes. Your iPhone and Watch are paired via Bluetooth.

  • by seanfromllanelli,

    seanfromllanelli seanfromllanelli Sep 20, 2016 1:09 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 1 (112 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 1:09 PM in response to LAKiwi

    TBH I dont find it uses that much battery. You use more with headphones. also turn off back ground refresh to save battery.

  • by Jonathan UK,Helpful

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 20, 2016 1:17 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 8 (36,816 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 1:17 PM in response to LAKiwi

    Hi

     

    No, Bluetooth does not have to be on at all times on your iPhone for the watch to be connected to the paired iPhone or to use certain Internet-based services.

     

    When your watch is unable to connect to the paired iPhone via Bluetooth, it will attempt, as a fallback, to connect to a known, compatible Wi-Fi network.

     

    When connected to Wi-Fi, the watch still offers a number of features. If it is unable to connect either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it again still offers some - although fewer - features:

     

    How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

     

    For the best performance from your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the most power-efficient communication between them, Apple recommends keeping both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Sep 20, 2016 1:16 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 10 (108,048 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 20, 2016 1:16 PM in response to LAKiwi

    Does BlueTooth need to be on at all times on the iPhone to be connected to the iWatch.?

    You need it only if you are using the features of the watch, that require a paired iPhone.

     

    Without bluetooth it will be like you left our iPhone at home. Your watch can still do these tasks - quite a lot:

     

    How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

     

    Frequently I leave the iPhone at home, if I do not expect to have to make phone calls.

  • by LAKiwi,Solvedanswer

    LAKiwi LAKiwi Sep 20, 2016 1:20 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 1:20 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thanks Johatha, I will turn BT off and see if it redirects to WiFi. I always have BT off when at home, plus mobile data as I use WiFi for calling and anything else the iPhone needs. I turn BT on before I go to bed so that programmes that need updating do.

    Thanks for the great answer.

  • by LAKiwi,

    LAKiwi LAKiwi Sep 20, 2016 1:23 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 1:23 PM in response to LAKiwi

    WORKED, shows it is connected and shows a green cloud....GREAT

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 20, 2016 1:24 PM in response to LAKiwi
    Level 8 (36,816 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 1:24 PM in response to LAKiwi

    You're most welcome!

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 20, 2016 1:31 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 10 (122,858 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 20, 2016 1:31 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    Gee thanks for your kind words but on my iPhone in Settings > Bluetooth with Bluetooth enabled my Watch disappears under MY DEVICES and is no longer paired Wi-Fi or not.

     

    Not everything is cut an dry Jonathan when it comes to devices.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 20, 2016 3:06 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 8 (36,816 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2016 3:06 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Carolyn Samit wrote:

     

    Gee thanks for your kind words but on my iPhone in Settings > Bluetooth with Bluetooth enabled my Watch disappears under MY DEVICES and is no longer paired Wi-Fi or not.

     

    Not everything is cut an dry Jonathan when it comes to devices.

     

    Carolyn

     

    When Bluetooth is disabled on the iPhone:

     

    • It is normal for no devices to be listed under "My Devices" on your iPhone (Settings > Bluetooth).
    • Even so, the watch remains paired to the iPhone. (It is just not connected to it, at that time, via Bluetooth).

     

    The question was whether Bluetooth needs to be on at all times, on the iPhone, for the iPhone to be connected to the watch.

     

    The answer is no; with both devices connected to Wi-Fi, they remain connected.

     

    To verify this:

     

    • With your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi, turn off Bluetooth.
    • Wait for a few moments, then check (via Control Centre) that your watch has connected, as a fallback, to Wi-Fi.
    • Open the Camera app on your watch.
    • The camera viewfinder will open on your watch, showing the view from the iPhone's camera.