Apple Watch Cellular use only with Bluetooth off?

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Apple Watch Cellular use only with Bluetooth off?

My Apple Watch (with Cellular/7) doesn’t seem to be working without being connected to my phone. My carrier (U.S. Cellular) states that in order for my watch to work without the phone, I first have to turn Bluetooth off on my phone. While I understand the idea (that the towers wouldn’t know which device to send the signal to with them both on as they share a number) it’s quite inconvenient! If I’ve left my phone, it’s typically by accident and I usually have Bluetooth on for my AirPods and such. My husband has Verizon with the same equipment and doesn’t have this issue. Is this a carrier specific thing or is there a way around this issue?

Apple Watch Series 7

Posted on Jun 16, 2022 10:08 AM

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Answer 1

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BobHarris

Level 9

57,023 points

Jun 16, 2022 11:53 AM in response to bonifaith

You should not need to turn Bluetooth off.

If your Apple Watch can talk to your iPhone, then the Apple Watch will use the iPhone's radios via low energy Bluetooth so that it can save the battery power.

When your iPhone is out of range (typically between 30 to 60 feet away; 10-20 meters) then Bluetooth will stop communicating with the iPhone, and the Apple Watch will use either WiFi (if available, such as in your home), or Cellular such as when you leave your iPhone behind (walk, run, bike, just didn't want to take your iPhone).

If your goal is to test the cellular abilities of the Apple Watch, then for the test, turn off the iPhone Bluetooth, and turn off the Apple Watch WiFi. Then the Apple Watch will only have the Cellular radio as its connection to the Internet.

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Answer 2

BobHarris

Level 9

57,023 points

Jun 19, 2022 11:56 AM in response to bonifaith

It would appear U.S. Cellular has not properly provisioned your Apple Watch, or you live in an area with really bad cellular service and the tiny Apple Watch antenna cannot capture a signal.

If you go into a U.S. Cellular store, turn off iPhone Bluetooth, turn off Apple Watch WiFi, they should be able to demonstrate that cellular works on the Apple Watch.

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Answer 3

bonifaith Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 16, 2022 12:02 PM in response to BobHarris

That's what I would think would be the case, but unfortunately it is not! This morning on my trail run, I left the phone at home, (bluetooth on) and had the dreaded red X on my phone the entire time! I've spoke with multiple techs at corporate US Cellular, and no one can seem to figure out the problem. I had recently upgraded my watch from an old 3/GPS to this thinking it would be great while running, but so far... no such luck!!

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Apple Watch Cellular use only with Bluetooth off?

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