Hi
Whenever your Apple Watch cannot connect to the paired iPhone via Bluetooth, it will attempt, as a fallback, to connect to a compatible Wi-Fi network.
A compatible Wi-Fi network is a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to before whilst your Apple Watch was connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth. Apple Watch cannot connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks or to public networks that require logins, subscriptions or profiles.
To check whether your Apple Watch can connect to Wi-Fi:
If your Apple Watch does not connect to Wi-Fi as expected (after allowing a few moments), then follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure that your Apple Watch and iPhone are connected via Bluetooth and also that your iPhone is connected to your Wi-Fi network:
On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Wi-Fi:
- Tap on the "i" / info icon to the right of your Wi-Fi network name > tap on Forget This Network.
- With your Apple Watch still connected via Bluetooth, reconnect your iPhone to your Wi-Fi network, being sure to check that you are connecting to a 2.4 GHz network.
- Pause for a few moments to allow the Wi-Fi information to be shared to your Apple Watch.
On your iPhone, enable Airplane Mode:
Check whether your Apple Watch has successfully connected to the Wi-Fi network by checking for the Wi-Fi icon at the upper-left of Control Centre (allow a short while for it to connect after losing the connection with your iPhone):
When finished, turn off Airplane Mode on your iPhone.
If you have not yet done so and if the feature is supported on your plan, you may also wish to enable Wi-Fi Calling on your devices:
If the issue persists, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support (remote diagnostics and/or mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:
