Does Bluetooth have to be ALWAYS on in order to get calls?

Hi

To use all of the features of Apple Watch, keep your watch within Bluetooth range of your iPhone. For the best performance, keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.

Normal Bluetooth range is around 33 feet / 10 meters. The actual range will vary in practice due to wireless interference, but you don't necessarily need to have your iPhone on or immediately around you (within arm's reach, for example) for the devices to maintain their Bluetooth connection.

Your watch can also perform certain functions when it is not connected to your iPhone, including some that are available when your watch is connected to a known Wi-Fi network.

When the paired iPhone is not within range and your watch is not connected to Wi-Fi, you can still:

• Play music from a synced playlist on your watch.
• Use the watch to tell the time, along with alarms, timers and the stopwatch.
• Keep track of your activity (Stand, Move, Exercise) with the Activity app.
• Track workouts with the Workout app.
• Display photos from the synced photo album.
• Use Apple Pay to make purchases.

If your watch is disconnected from your iPhone, but within range of a (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to before, the watch can connect to that network and you can also still:

• Send and receive messages using iMessage.
• Send and receive Digital Touch messages.
• Use Siri.
• Use calling and SMS / text services if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled (subject to your carrier supporting this service).

More information:

Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone - Apple Support

yadi26 wrote:

Wouldn't the Bluetooth eat up the iphone's battery too fast? That's what I'm worried about.

Bluetooth is the most power-efficient method of connection between your devices.

For the best performance, keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.

Hello !
Yes that's right ! you should leave your iPhone's bluetooth turned on to receive notifications from your iPhone on your Apple Watch ( Calls, Messages ... )
You can leave you iphone in your purse or pocket ... but you have to be aproximately 15 meters to pick up your iPhone

Have a good day !

yadi26 wrote:

So to be clear..... I won't get calls or texts on my watch while my phone is my purse in my classroom and I'm in a meeting in the office (different buildings)? Even if Bluetooth and wifi are enabled? The distance between the devices would be too long?

That is correct as far as using services via Bluetooth is concerned - if your watch is outside of Bluetooth range (up to approx 10 meters) of your iPhone.

However, if your watch is connected to a known Wi-Fi network and your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling (and you are signed up to that service with them), then you can still make / send and receive calls and texts.

Yes, You can not be too far from your iPhone (15 meters) , it is the same thing for example , in your home , you want to pick up the wifi ! you can not pick up the wifi if you are too far !