‘Notify When Left Behind’ not available on Apple Watch Series 6 watchOS 8.0

I’ve been in contact with Apple support and after escalating the problem to the technical team they told me it’s a feature that will be available later on on the watch.

I tried the iphone 12 left behind and the notification is coming up the apple watch 6 no problems, if you don’t set the ‘except at’ it works in any locations home included, from 300 feet roughly after 1 min from where you left it 👍

I contacted Apple Support via sms.

Apple calls the feature a "separation alert" and directed me to https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-notified-if-you-leave-a-device-behind-iph5f53aeae0/ios

From this I learned the options were greyed out because I was not sharing the location of my iPhone. See: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-your-location-iph01954dc44/15.0/ios/15.0

Once I started sharing my location, I was able to select " Notify when left behind" for my watch.

However, it still doesn't work . . .

Notify when left behind is working fine with iphone, it’s NOT supported for the apple watch until later updates of IOS 15/ watchOS8

This happened to me too. Try toggling Notify When Left Behind off, then restart both your phone and watch, and go back and turn the setting on.

This process worked for my iPhone (12) but not my Apple Watch (old Series 3.) Watch says "not supported" but now when I leave my iPhone behind, I get a left behind notification when I'm a few blocks away from my home.

It is active, I have it turned on and use it.

It is not if you leave your watch behind it is if you leave your iPhone behind.

On your iPhone>Find My>Devices>pick your iPhone>Notifications>Notify when left behind>Toggle on

FYI. SpringGlenL (aka lilla45) - I had two accounts, and deleted the lilla45 one.

Thank you for your reply. I read both links, and did not find a problem with my settings.

I am sharing the location of my iPhone (Xs Max), and the option to “Notify when left behind” for my watch (Series 6) is grayed out so I am unable to enable it.

Today I installed iOS 15.0.1 (includes fixes for Notify when left behind) and restarted both my iPhone and my

Watch. Result: no change. The option to "Notify when left behind" for my Watch remains grayed out.

Observation: Find My > Me > says this...

My Location: This device and cellular Apple Watches

Share My Location: Enabled

My Watch has cellular built-in but I have not activated cellular for my watch, just my phone..

Q: Is it possible that the option to "Notify when left behind" for my watch is grayed out because my Watch does not have cellular enabled?

I don't have cellular and my options are no longer greyed out, because I enabled location services for my iPhone. One other hint, check the "Find Devices" on your watch and make sure that's enabled too.

So there's an app you can get for apple devices called "support". I don't remember if it's pre-loaded in the IOS or you have to find it in the app store--search "Apple Support". They will help you through SMS in the app. I like this because I can do other things while waiting for responses and you have a record of their suggestions.

Be specific you are asking for help with "separation alerts". It may take a try or two to help them understand exactly the issue. You can send them screen shots to help illustrate your questions.

Let us know!

I had spoke to Apple service as well. After updating to iOS 15.1 and watchOS 8.1, the members feature has been removed.

overall, the features ok. Sometime when my AirPod’s are in my pocket, it tells me I left them behind.

so, while this concept is great- this far it’s pretty limited.

I read on another forum that it hasn't been activated yet for the watch.Probably ios15.1.

You could look at 'Phone Buddy', which is a 3rd party app. Most likely not as good as something built-in from Apple.

Same for me apple watch 6 IOS 8.0 and iphone 12 pro IOS 15 the notify when left behind is greyed out as not supported

I have reset my iphone, reset the watch, paired back again but it doesn't work, my experience is when something doesn't go smoothly... it's a bug :p

My Apple Watch S5 is supported.

I tried phone buddy and it worked too well—if you walk into another room it goes off and it eats battery fast. No good.