Apple Watch for kids - Family Sharing or non-SIM iPhone or both?

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Level 1

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Apple Watch for kids - Family Sharing or non-SIM iPhone or both?

We have Family Sharing set up with our kids, and they each have a device with no active SIM card (wifi only). If a kid gets an Apple Watch with cellular (their own SIM/phone number in the watch) I understand I need to set it up in Family Sharing so I can set up school time. Can it also be paired with their non-SIM iPhone? When they get iMessages to their watch, will they show up in their non-SIM phone under the same Apple ID?

I’m trying to make the watch as useful and customizable for the child as possible, but also be able to use school time and track location. I’m open to whatever solution is best.

Thanks!

iPhone 11

Posted on Aug 26, 2023 5:45 PM

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Answer 1

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,666 points

Aug 26, 2023 6:05 PM in response to SheRaPOP

Disclaimer - I have never tried to setup devices with this level of no-SIM disconnectedness.

For normal Family Setup you would want a cellular model of Apple Watch, and the no-SIM iPhones are irrelevant, the watch would use its normal Family Setup behavior and would have cellular connectivity. (Note that Family Setup and Family Share are different animals with similar names).

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

If you setup by pairing to the no-SIM iPhone this is the area where I have some uncertainty. If you use the GPS-only not cellular version of Apple Watch (or cellular model without a cellular plan) the watch would probably be able to receive messages forwarded from the iPhone (The iPhone receiving iMessage etc over WiFi).

In my opinion this would be the least good option for setup, because it is still constrained and depends on a third party's WiFi if the device is away from the home.

Depending on the age of the kids it might be better to consider enabling cellular on the iPhones and use the GPS-only version of Apple Watch. You should be able to setup Screen Time etc to enforce permitted limits. If you are concerned about excess usage online consider a pre-pay SIM which will shut down if the allowance is used up - they will soon learn about responsible usage.

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Apple Watch for kids - Family Sharing or non-SIM iPhone or both?

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