If compatible Wi-Fi is available and a Bluetooth connection to the paired iPhone is not available, then Apple Watch - including first generation models - will use Wi-Fi instead.
The watch can connect to a Wi-Fi network if the network is 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and the paired iPhone, while connected to the watch via Bluetooth, has connected to that network before.
If you are experiencing issues with your wife's Apple Watch connecting in this way, follow these steps:
- Before starting, ensure that you have made a note of:
- Your Wi-Fi network name.
- The type of encryption that it uses.
- Your Wi-Fi password.
- With the iPhone connected to the Wi-Fi network and with the watch close by and connected to the iPhone by Bluetooth:
- On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the "i" icon at the right hand side of your current Wi-Fi connection's entry;
- On the next screen, tap on Forget This Network - allow a few moments;
- With a short pause in between, disable and re-enable Wi-Fi using the toggle at the top of the Wi-Fi screen.
- Reconnect the iPhone to your Wi-Fi network.
If you have a hidden network (ie the network name / SSID is not broadcast), choose to add the network via "Other", then enter the network name, encryption type and password.
- After the iPhone has reconnected, allow a short time for the information to be shared to the watch.
- Test the watch by placing the iPhone into Airplane Mode (via the Control Center or via Settings > Airplane Mode).
- On the watch, swipe up on the watch face to open Control Centre (under watchOS 3).
- This should say Connected and show a green Cloud icon to indicate that it is connected to Wi-Fi;
- Swipe down again to return to the watch face.
- Take the iPhone out of Airplane Mode when finished.
Note that, if connection to the iPhone is possible via Bluetooth, this will always be used by the watch in preference to connecting to a known Wi-Fi network.
