You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Katie_Bowers Author

Level 1

4 points

Do you have to have cellular to text on your apple watch even when your phone is close to you?

Do you have to have cellular to text on your apple watch even when your phone is close to you?

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 10:06 AM

Reply

Top-ranking reply

Level 9

73,263 points

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 10:16 AM

As long as your Apple watch is connected to Wi-Fi or your iPhone via Bluetooth, you don't need a cellular Apple Watch to be able to text.

About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies

Top-ranking reply

Level 9

73,263 points

Nov 30, 2019 10:16 AM in response to Katie_Bowers

As long as your Apple watch is connected to Wi-Fi or your iPhone via Bluetooth, you don't need a cellular Apple Watch to be able to text.

About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Reply

Level 9

55,055 points

Nov 30, 2019 3:06 PM in response to Katie_Bowers

When you read the "Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby" make sure you read the footnotes. In there you will find that even if you have cellular you still need your iPhone accessible for SMS/MMS messages. Services such as iMessage, WhatsApp, etc... use the Internet and do need the iPhones carrier connection for their messages.

Reply

Do you have to have cellular to text on your apple watch even when your phone is close to you?

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up