Key Takeaways
- Your Apple Watch can use your iPhone’s active cellular network to make and receive calls with or without a cellular connection.
- Making a call on your Apple Watch is easy: use the Phone app to select a contact and answer calls right from your wrist.
- For some users, an Apple Watch with cellular capability is useful for staying connected during a workout or running quick errands without having to carry an iPhone.
You have a brand new Apple Watch, or maybe you’ve had one on your wrist for a while. But you’ve never thought to use it to make a phone call. Why? Did you know you could make and receive calls directly from your Apple Watch? In fact, you can make and receive calls via FaceTime Audio and over a cellular network. Some people think that you need an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity to answer calls directly from your wrist, but that’s not necessarily the case. One thing you probably didn’t know your Apple Watch can do is make and receive calls. As long as your connected iPhone is nearby and the device is on an active cellular network, you can make and receive calls from the Apple Watch itself, whether it’s a cellular version or not.
Related
How to use your Apple Watch like a pro
There are four main ways to interact with your Apple Watch: the touchscreen, the Digital Crown and button, gestures, and the companion app.
Make a call on your Apple Watch
It’s that easy
To make a call from your Apple Watch, open the Phone app, use the Digital Crown to scroll through your contacts list, favorite or recentlyor use the small number pad at the top of the screen to tap the person’s number. That’s it! If your iPhone is nearby and connected to your Apple Watch, the call connects. If you have an Apple Watch Cellular edition, your watch has its own wireless connection and plan, so you don’t even need to have your phone nearby. You’ll hear the other person’s response through your watch’s built-in speaker, and you can talk to them using the microphone. You can also do this if you have Bluetooth earphones connected directly to your Watch.
Answer a call on your Apple Watch
It’s as simple as
Let’s say you get an important call while you’re cooking dinner, washing the dishes, or just getting out of the shower. Again, if your iPhone is nearby and connected, or if you have Apple Watch Cellular, the caller’s information will appear on your Apple Watch screen. answer Press the button to start the conversation. If it’s not an emergency, tell the person you’re busy and will call them back when you have time.
Please send a quick reply too
Tell them you’ll call them later
For example, if you are on a Zoom call on your computer or the deadline is approaching and you don’t have time to respond, Three points To the right of the answer button Answer by phone Or choose a pre-written reply that will be sent to the other person via iMessage. Messages include “Sorry, I can’t talk right now” or “Can I call you later?”
Do you want an Apple Watch Cellular model?
There are some viable use cases
Since the Apple Watch can easily make and receive calls without a cellular connection, some may wonder if it’s worth buying an Apple Watch with a dedicated plan. But there are cases where it makes sense.
Runners looking to pack as little as possible on their morning 10K run can stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues in case of an emergency without having to carry their iPhone. Gym-goers might also want to leave their phone in the car, at home or in a locker so they don’t have to carry it from machine to machine. Download your Apple Music playlist to your Watch, connect a pair of sturdy Bluetooth earphones directly to your Watch and you’ll have everything you need for a sweaty workout.
With cellular connectivity, your Apple Watch lets you use your Watch just like your phone, even when you don’t have your phone with you, so you can leave your phone at home when you go out to run a few errands. You can also go out to lunch during the day and catch up on a podcast or conference call without having to take your phone to the local coffee shop. It’s also a way to stay connected without the distractions of having your phone in your hand. Your lunch date will love it.
For those who prefer streaming music services other than Apple Music, you can also listen while working out or running without your phone: For example, you can download Apple Music and Spotify playlists to the Watch, but storage space is limited, and the latter only works if you have a Spotify Premium subscription.
Let’s be realistic: most people don’t need an Apple Watch with cellular capability. Knowing they can make and receive calls from their Watch when their iPhone is nearby is enough for many of us. After all, most of us have our iPhone strapped to our hips 24/7.
