AspiringAppleGuru
Level 1 (64 points)
Apple Watch

Q: Unable to make recieve calls from Apple Watch, using AT&T WIFI calling, when the iPhone is powered off or in Airplane Mode.

I am working on this issue and wanted to get the community involved.

I am testing Apple Watch functionality and have been unable to resolve my issues with WIFI calling. I use AT&T and am connect to 5Ghz band on my Xfinity router.

I am able to make/receive calls from my iPad and Mac laptop when the iPhone is powered off/Airplane Mode; however this functionality is not working on the Watch. I can make and receive calls from the Watch when the phone is on.

 

Another issue is I'm not able to send and receive messages (blue or green bubbles) from the Watch - again when the phone is off or in Airplane Mode

 

I am going to copy in 2 portions of the website: http://help.apple.com/watch/

 

http://help.apple.com/watch/#/apd0443fb403

If your Apple Watch is in range of a Wi-Fi network that iPhone has connected to before, you can still do the following (even if iPhone is turned off):

  • Send and receive Digital Touch messages
  • Send and receive messages using Messages Messages icon
  • Make and receive phone calls Phone icon (if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled and you’re within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to before)
  • Check current weather conditions
  • Track your stocks

 

http://help.apple.com/watch/#/apd2fe746e86

Make calls over Wi-Fi

If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone is not with you or is turned off. Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.

To see if your carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, see the Apple Support article Make a call with Wi-Fi calling, then enable Wi-Fi calling on both your iPhone and Apple Watch.

Note: You can make emergency calls over Wi-Fi, but when possible, use iPhone over a cellular connection instead—your location information will be more accurate.

Enable Wi-Fi calling on iPhone. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone and turn on both Wi-Fi Calling and Calls on Other Devices.

Enable Wi-Fi calling on Apple Watch. Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Phone, then turn on Wi-Fi Calls. If you don’t see the setting, make sure you’ve enabled Wi-Fi calling on iPhone.

 

Please reply if you're able to perform either of these functions! And any troubleshooting you can think of!!

Apple Support

Posted on May 29, 2016 1:49 PM

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AspiringAppleGuru

Q: Unable to make recieve calls from Apple Watch, using AT&T WIFI calling, when the iPhone is powered off or in Airplane Mode.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,Helpful

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK May 29, 2016 3:24 PM in response to AspiringAppleGuru
    Level 7 (31,490 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 29, 2016 3:24 PM in response to AspiringAppleGuru

    AspiringAppleGuru wrote:

     

    I .. connect to 5Ghz band on my .. router.

     

    Hi

     

    Those features are unavailable because Apple Watch cannot connect to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network.

     

    If your watch is not connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth, but is 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 continue using certain features, including Wi-Fi calling (when supported by your carrier, as you already have in place).

     

    More information:

    About Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch - Apple Support

    Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone - Apple Support

  • by AspiringAppleGuru,

    AspiringAppleGuru AspiringAppleGuru May 29, 2016 2:55 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 29, 2016 2:55 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    I was hoping this would catch your attention!

     

    I have tried this connected to my 2.4Ghz network too. When I put the phone into Airplane Mode, the Watch again showed 'Disconnected'. The settings glance isn't going to show the green iPhone, but it should show the 'green cloud' rather than the 'red phone with the slash'. This has happened correctly once on an unprotected WIFI network I tested with - still unable to make to make those outbound calls through WIFI calling on that network.

     

    I have not unpaired and re-paired the watch yet, nor restored the phone. Both are running current software.

    When I go into the iPhone settings, to 'Phone' and then 'Call on other Devices' - it only shows the iPad and Mac, doesn't give me an option for the watch.

     

    When I've setup text message forwarding or WIFI calling, I had to verify with a 6 digit code, but that interface is missing from the Watch, unless you're pairing the 'Remote app' with iTunes or maybe bluetooth pairing or something.

     

    I'm curious if you've been able to complete messages (blue or green) or WIFI calling on your own device, and which carrier you have. Thanks for being the resident CHAMP on the Apple watch. You're clearly very interested in all of this!

  • by AspiringAppleGuru,

    AspiringAppleGuru AspiringAppleGuru May 29, 2016 3:24 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 29, 2016 3:24 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    I tested again and am able to get the 'Green Cloud' to stay after pairing the iPhone with my 2.4 and 5ghz networks.

    However, I still don't see the Watch listed in 'Calls from other Devices' which some folks said it should show.

    I tested and it seems to be working!! Talk about overthinking an issue... Looks like it was just the 2.4ghz band.

     

    THANKS JONATHAN UK!!!

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK May 29, 2016 3:26 PM in response to AspiringAppleGuru
    Level 7 (31,490 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 29, 2016 3:26 PM in response to AspiringAppleGuru

    You're most welcome!

     

    AspiringAppleGuru wrote:

    ..

    However, I still don't see the Watch listed in 'Calls from other Devices' which some folks said it should show. ..

     

    You do not need to add Apple Watch to the list of devices or to see it listed there (it does not need to be set up in the same way as other devices).