My iWatch was set up using Family Sharing. So the Apple ID I use for my watch is different from the Apple ID used on the iPhone.
I am able to download some apps directly to my iWatch from the App Store but other apps I am interested in won't download and it says: "Requires iPhone"
Not sure what to do next to download the apps I want when this happens.
Any suggestions?
Apple Watch
Hi, jnjsq2.
If we understand correctly, your Apple Watch was originally set up by the organizer of your Family Sharing group using their iPhone and an Apple ID that is different than the one you have on your own iPhone. It sounds like you’re running into an issue with apps that are designed to be used in congruence with a connected iPhone. If we’re on the same page, we may have a few suggestions that will help.
Using Family Sharing to set up an Apple Watch is ideal for family members that don’t have their own iPhone because there will be some features and apps not available on an Apple Watch set up with Family Sharing. This article explains:
Set up an Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support
If you have an iPhone, the best option is to set up your Apple Watch by pairing it directly to your iPhone. This ensures that both devices are using the same Apple ID and apps and services can sync and communicate between the two devices. In order to use the apps that require an iPhone, you’ll need to set up your Apple Watch paired directly to your iPhone.
If this is an option, you’ll need the iPhone used to set up your Apple Watch to unpair it and remove Activation Lock. Then you can set it up with your iPhone:
Set up and pair your Apple Watch with iPhone - Apple Support
Note that any content you've added to your Apple Watch is connected to the Apple ID currently logged into the device. When you pair with your iPhone, you will have to set it up as a new Apple Watch and any data that you've accumulated will be lost.
We appreciate you taking the time to post in the Apple Support Communities.
Have a great day!
Hi, jnjsq2.
If we understand correctly, your Apple Watch was originally set up by the organizer of your Family Sharing group using their iPhone and an Apple ID that is different than the one you have on your own iPhone. It sounds like you’re running into an issue with apps that are designed to be used in congruence with a connected iPhone. If we’re on the same page, we may have a few suggestions that will help.
Using Family Sharing to set up an Apple Watch is ideal for family members that don’t have their own iPhone because there will be some features and apps not available on an Apple Watch set up with Family Sharing. This article explains:
Set up an Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support
If you have an iPhone, the best option is to set up your Apple Watch by pairing it directly to your iPhone. This ensures that both devices are using the same Apple ID and apps and services can sync and communicate between the two devices. In order to use the apps that require an iPhone, you’ll need to set up your Apple Watch paired directly to your iPhone.
If this is an option, you’ll need the iPhone used to set up your Apple Watch to unpair it and remove Activation Lock. Then you can set it up with your iPhone:
Set up and pair your Apple Watch with iPhone - Apple Support
Note that any content you've added to your Apple Watch is connected to the Apple ID currently logged into the device. When you pair with your iPhone, you will have to set it up as a new Apple Watch and any data that you've accumulated will be lost.
We appreciate you taking the time to post in the Apple Support Communities.
Have a great day!
She would need to download the app to her iPhone then try and install it to your watch using the watch app.
Thank you for replying to me but my situation is different from your assumption.
My wife has an iPhone and an iWatch that is paired to that iPhone using the same Apple ID.
I have an Android phone. Hence we had to use the Family Sharing approach to pair my iWatch using my Apple ID to my wife's iPhone which uses her Apple ID.
I can download some apps from the App Store directly to my iWatch but other apps say it "Requires iPhone".
As an example, I would like to download an app "XE Currency" that shows exchange rates between different countries currencies. But my iWatch says it requires the iPhone. Not sure what to do from this point.
Hi Randy-12,
I tried your suggestion. Downloaded a new app to my wife's iPhone. Then successfully installed it on her iWatch. But when I tried to download the same app to my iWatch, it says it "Requires iPhone".
So I am still unable to download some apps to my iWatch and I can't figure out why Apple won't let me?
Why does iWatch say "Requires iPhone" to download some apps?
