You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple ID, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

what the differnce between gps cellar and gps for new apple watch

what the difference between gps+cellar and gps for new apple watch?

Apple Watch Series 3

Posted on Sep 25, 2017 4:44 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 25, 2017 4:49 AM

Hi


Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) models


Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) can be used for cellular features when it is not connected to either the paired iPhone or trusted known Wi-Fi network.


To use this feature, you will need a carrier plan that specifically includes support for Apple Watch, including the carrier activating the device on the plan:


Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple


Subject to this being set up and to having a cellular network signal, the Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) can be used for certain cellular features entirely independently of the paired iPhone, potentially including when the iPhone is elsewhere and/or turned off.


More information:

How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Apple Watch - Compare - Apple

Watch - Apple


GPS-only models


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) models can be used for calls and texts on any cellular network that your iPhone is using, subject to connection requirements.


The full range of features is available when Apple Watch and iPhone are connected via Bluetooth and your iPhone has access to both cellular service and the Internet (via either cellular data or Wi-Fi).


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


Whenever your watch can't connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth, it will attempt, as a fallback, to connect to a known Wi-Fi network - this being a compatible 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (some exceptions apply) that your iPhone has connected to before whilst your Apple Watch was connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth.


When instead connected to Wi-Fi, the watch also still offers a number of features, including receiving and sending messages via iMessage. If your carrier offers Wi-Fi Calling and it is supported on your plan and enabled on your iPhone, you can also use Apple Watch to make calls and (subject to carrier support) to send and receive SMS / text messages.


If your Apple Watch is unable to connect either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it again still offers some - although fewer - features.


Features that are available in each case are detailed here:


How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support


For the best performance from your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the most power-efficient communication between them, Apple recommends keeping both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.


More information:


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 25, 2017 4:49 AM in response to elizabeth.brewer513

Hi


Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) models


Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) can be used for cellular features when it is not connected to either the paired iPhone or trusted known Wi-Fi network.


To use this feature, you will need a carrier plan that specifically includes support for Apple Watch, including the carrier activating the device on the plan:


Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple


Subject to this being set up and to having a cellular network signal, the Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) can be used for certain cellular features entirely independently of the paired iPhone, potentially including when the iPhone is elsewhere and/or turned off.


More information:

How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Apple Watch - Compare - Apple

Watch - Apple


GPS-only models


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) models can be used for calls and texts on any cellular network that your iPhone is using, subject to connection requirements.


The full range of features is available when Apple Watch and iPhone are connected via Bluetooth and your iPhone has access to both cellular service and the Internet (via either cellular data or Wi-Fi).


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


Whenever your watch can't connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth, it will attempt, as a fallback, to connect to a known Wi-Fi network - this being a compatible 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (some exceptions apply) that your iPhone has connected to before whilst your Apple Watch was connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth.


When instead connected to Wi-Fi, the watch also still offers a number of features, including receiving and sending messages via iMessage. If your carrier offers Wi-Fi Calling and it is supported on your plan and enabled on your iPhone, you can also use Apple Watch to make calls and (subject to carrier support) to send and receive SMS / text messages.


If your Apple Watch is unable to connect either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it again still offers some - although fewer - features.


Features that are available in each case are detailed here:


How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support


For the best performance from your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the most power-efficient communication between them, Apple recommends keeping both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.


More information:


what the differnce between gps cellar and gps for new apple watch

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.