I had my Iphone stolen over the weekend, find friends etc cannot track it. I have an apple watch that does not have cellular data but when I go to our local Lidl my watch receives all my imessages etc... it does connect to the wifi in Lidl but my watch also connects to the Wifi at home and in work.
Does this mean my phone is in close proximity to the Lidl store? I am so confused
Your Apple Watch without cellular relies on two things to get iMessages:
Since your watch is receiving iMessages at Lidl (and also at home and work), that means the watch is successfully connecting to those Wi‑Fi networks and using iMessage directly. It does not mean your stolen iPhone is nearby.
If your iPhone were close by, you’d see other signs (like calls relayed, or Find My showing activity). But because your watch is Wi‑Fi‑enabled, it can still send/receive iMessages independently as long as it’s on a trusted Wi‑Fi network.
In short, your iPhone is not necessarily near Lidl. Your watch is simply using Lidl’s Wi‑Fi to connect to iMessage servers.
Your Apple Watch without cellular relies on two things to get iMessages:
Since your watch is receiving iMessages at Lidl (and also at home and work), that means the watch is successfully connecting to those Wi‑Fi networks and using iMessage directly. It does not mean your stolen iPhone is nearby.
If your iPhone were close by, you’d see other signs (like calls relayed, or Find My showing activity). But because your watch is Wi‑Fi‑enabled, it can still send/receive iMessages independently as long as it’s on a trusted Wi‑Fi network.
In short, your iPhone is not necessarily near Lidl. Your watch is simply using Lidl’s Wi‑Fi to connect to iMessage servers.
From your post, it isn’t clear whether your Apple Watch is the Cellular model or the GPS-only version.
Apple Watch Wi-Fi iMessages: Stolen iPhone nearby?
