If the Apple Watch has one flaw, it is its incompatibility with operating systems other than iOS. The Apple Watch is a great iPhone accessory, but what if you have an Android phone? Is it possible to use an Apple Watch if this is the case? The solution is discussed in this article.
Short Answer
An Apple Watch cannot be linked to an Android phone. However, there’s no reason why you can’t use both at the same time.
Are Apple Watches Compatible with Android phones?
In a nutshell, no. They will not pair. The Apple Watch will only work with iPhones, and this is unlikely to change in the future. To activate an Apple Watch, you’ll need an iPhone with the Watch app installed. Even if your device supports Bluetooth connectivity, there is no substitute for this on Android.
However, there’s no reason why you can’t use both devices at the same time. You can use all three if you have an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and an Android phone. Theoretically, you could use your Apple Watch to track your daily activities while leaving your iPhone at home. You could also use standalone apps on your LTE Apple Watch if you have one. Notably, this will affect the battery of the Apple Watch, but it is entirely possible.
What will I need to make my Apple Watch work on my Android phone?
A few things are required to make the two devices work together. To begin, you’ll need an iPhone (preferably an iPhone 6) and a cellular Apple Watch. To make and receive phone calls and text messages independently of your iPhone, you’ll need the cellular model. During the initial steps, you’ll also need to insert your SIM card into an iPhone.
If you have an iPhone 13 or an older iPhone, you’ll need a SIM card tool to remove and replace the physical SIM card. You must ensure that your Android phone and iPhone use the same physical SIM card size. A nano SIM card is used by all modern iPhones and most modern Android phones, but not all Android phones. A micro SIM card may be used in some Android devices. To use an iPhone 15, you must first use a virtual eSIM card on your Android phone, which you can then transfer to the iPhone.
The moral of the story is to double-check SIM card compatibility before proceeding.
How to Use a Cellular Apple Watch With an Android Phone
There is an alternate, but extremely limited, method of using an Apple Watch LTE variant with an Android phone. However, an iPhone is still required to start the process.
- Connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone. Once finished, use your iPhone for a test call to see if the SIM card is activated.
- Next, activate Airplane Mode on your iPhone. Check to see if the Apple Watch is still connected to the internet. If so, turn off your Apple Watch.
- Switch the SIM card from your iPhone to your Android phone and turn on the Apple Watch.
- This should allow you to make and receive phone calls as well as use limited voice controls on both devices. The two devices are not Bluetooth-enabled but share the same SIM card information. This means you’ll miss out on a slew of Apple-exclusive features, such as health data syncing and Apple’s app suite.
In reality, this is a pretty absurd way to use an Apple Watch, especially since you need an iPhone to set it up in the first place. Constantly using LTE on the Apple Watch, especially if not paired with an iPhone, will quickly drain the battery.
How to Set up an Apple Watch to Work With an Android Phone
When you have all of the necessary items, proceed as follows:
- Connect your Apple Watch to an iPhone that is signed into your iCloud account. This step is required to connect the device to your phone number and download any apps for the Apple Watch.
- Before turning on the Apple Watch, ensure your SIM card is on the iPhone.
- A new pairing screen appears when both devices are turned on and held close to each other. You can also use the Watch app to pair a new watch.
- Choose Set Up for Myself.
- The Apple Watch displays a swirling blue circle, and the iPhone’s Viewfinder camera opens. Place the phone over the device so that the Viewfinder captures the image, and the devices begin syncing.
- Choose Get to Know Your Watch to learn more about how the watch works and how to install apps.
- Turn off all of your devices.
- Transfer your iPhone’s SIM card to your Android phone.
- Turn on your Android device and wait for it to connect to your cellular network before turning on your Apple Watch.
Even if your primary number is associated with an Android device, your Apple Watch should be able to receive calls and send messages at this point. Although your Apple Watch and Android phone aren’t linked, you can still use the watch’s basic functions without an iPhone. If you are experiencing difficulties with messaging or phone calls, you may need to re-pair the device with your iPhone and update it.
How Does This Work?
Your two devices aren’t actually communicating with one another; they’re still technically incompatible. On the other hand, setting up your Watch with LTE eliminates the need for it to use an iPhone to perform some of its primary functions.
Expect some functionality to be lost, and the constant use of LTE will drain your Apple Watch battery faster than usual. While it’s a fun experiment in general, if you love Android, you’d be better off investing in a dedicated smartwatch that works with your phone.
How Do You Unlock an Apple Watch?
You can use a passcode or activation lock to unlock your Apple Watch. Open the iPhone Watch app, go to Apple Watch > Passcode, and then enable Unlock with iPhone. Alternatively, on the Apple Watch, navigate to Apple Watch Settings > Passcode > Unlock with iPhone.
Will an Apple Watch Work by Itself, Without Any Phone?
It will, indeed. You can do several things with an Apple Watch without a paired iPhone, particularly with watchOS 9. However, not all Apple Watch features will be available without a connection to an iPhone.
What Android Watch Is Comparable to Apple Watch?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is most likely the best Apple Watch alternative for Android users. While it lacks the Apple Watch’s robust app ecosystem, it has a great rotating bezel, a classic design, and about two days of battery life with the always-on display turned on.
Apple Watch Alternatives For Android Users
There are numerous options for Android phone users looking for an Apple Watch alternative. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with Wear OS is a safe bet, and the Galaxy Watch 4 is an older but less expensive option. The Watch 5 is available in standard and Pro models, the former in 40mm and 40mm sizes and the latter in a single 45mm size. The Watch 5 is an excellent Android replacement for the Apple Watch Series 8, while the Watch 5 Pro is a tough smartwatch and an excellent Android replacement for the Apple Watch Ultra.
Both smartwatches have an always-on display with sapphire crystal protection and a water-resistance rating of IP68/5ATM. Over 90 workout modes and advanced features for runners and cyclists are available. The body composition monitor is the standout feature, and users also get ECG, blood oxygen, and blood pressure tracking. Wear OS provides access to a wide range of downloadable apps as well as Google Assistant support.
The Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 are other excellent options suitable for iPhone and Android users. Both smartwatches have an always-on display, up to 50 meters of water resistance, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and sleep tracking. Only the Sense 2 can record an ECG and measure body temperature. The smartwatches can track over 40 different workout modes, have Alexa built-in, and allow users to make Fitbit Pay purchases. However, the best feature of Fitbit’s smartwatches is the six-day battery life, which outperforms the Galaxy and Apple Watch.
Can you use the Samsung Galaxy Watch with an iPhone?
No. The Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 6 cannot be used with an iPhone. The older Tizen-based Galaxy Watch 3 can, however, be paired with the iPhone.
Is there an Android equivalent to the Apple Watch?
There are no Android devices that provide the full Apple Watch experience, but there are plenty of Apple Watch alternatives. For those looking for a more robust app experience, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series is an excellent choice. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus perfectly balances smartwatch and fitness watch features.
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