why can’t a non-cellular Apple Watch be set up for a child? Seems like a big miss and is really annoying. I really don’t want my kid receiving my text messages on the watch.
Apple Watch SE, watchOS 8
Not a GPS only model. A GPS model won't work for an adult if it's not near it's companion iPhone. It is easy and it's why Apple sells Cellular models, so they can work without the companion phone. If you don't need an Apple Watch to make and receive phone calls or text or email, why would you want to give one to a child? Give your child a Cellular Apple Watch if you want them to have a functioning watch not permanently tethered to an iPhone.
It’s a watch first, not a phone. My kid doesn’t need to make calls or text. Seems like it would be easy for it to work and not be near a phone. People use their non cellular watches all the time away from their phones. That’s the point of having a fun watch with interesting features, particularly while playing sports etc.
No, you can't. You can buy your child a cellular Apple Watch and set it up to your iPhone. But a GPS only Apple Watch, has to be near the paired iPhone in order to receive and make phone calls etc. It's not a miss. It's a lack of compatibility, which cannot be overcome because it needs to be a cellular watch.
Can we get a non-cellular Apple Watch to work for my child?
