So. Do I really need an iPhone to use an Apple Watch Series 3 (cellular)?

pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 14:35

I've had Garmin watches for a long time, 920xt and FR935, mainly to record runs and rides, but also to get some notifications through to my wrist for SMS, phone calls, Facebook updates etc.

The AWS3 is now piquing my fancy as a viable alternative (excluding very long endurance events), but I'm an android user - currently using the Moto Z Play with 2 sims (work and personal).

Switching to an iPhone has a couple of issues for me, losing dual sim, and moving to the dark-side.

Is it at all possible to use the AWS3 with Android - by hack or otherwise?

Computing

Comments

  • hell0 on 18/09/2017 - 14:55

    Great question. I would like a new Apple Watch and am keen on finding this out…

    • Kangal on 18/09/2017 - 15:17
      +2

      Yeah, you need an iPhone.
      Otherwise get a Samsung GS3 Frontier, or a Huawei Watch.

      • pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 15:20

        I had a GS3 frontier last Christmas, but the GPS dropouts were horrendous so I took it back to HN.

        • Kangal on 18/09/2017 - 15:25
          +1

          Did you talk with Samsung first?

          Could have been the unit itself.
          As far as I know, the Gear S3 is currently the best smartwatch. I don't think the iWatch v3.0 is going to match it. The reason I don't have one is because of Tizen. If it had AndroidWear 2.0, I'd be on it.
          Currently for AndroidWear, the best smartwatch is the Huawei Watch (v1).

          Although if you care less about the style and features, and want something mostly for fitness then you need to branch off to that category instead. I don't think any of the AndroidWear, Tizen, or iOS smartwatches can match the dedicated fitness watches when it comes to simply fitness related functions.

        • Tgb on 18/09/2017 - 15:40
          +1

          @pat_mac: I second this - gear s3 is a joke of a device for gps tracking. Meaningless live pace, hr, mapping…everything! Returned mine also.

          I would be surprised to see the Apple watch match Garmin for fitness features and as you are a previous user of high end triathlon watches think might be disappointed switching to Apple watch.

          What features of the Apple watch do you want? I found when I had the gear s3 the novelty wore off pretty quick, haven't looked back since replacing it with a FR935.

        • pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 16:12

          @Tgb:
          Interview time? :-)

          I'm just keen to know if someone knows a way to make it work with Android.

          I've still got my 920XT, and my old Seiko Sportura, a MotoACTV, and even my old Timex expedition watch among others . I'll wear whatever when the mood dictates. The question shouldn't be what, why, or why not - but how…..

  • k-rokfm on 18/09/2017 - 14:56
    +6

    No you wont be able to use it, youll need an iphone. Cause the Apple Watch will copy this SIM data of whichever iphone it is paired with - so no iphone, then it wont be able to pair and copy the sim data.

    • hell0 on 18/09/2017 - 15:08

      My friend has a iphone so maybe i could just pair it with his… thats a solution

      • coxjon on 18/09/2017 - 15:10
        +5

        You'll only receive his calls and messages…

        • hell0 on 18/09/2017 - 15:11

          oh… no i dont want that tho, neither would he…

          arghh… thats a shame then

    • pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 15:11

      Are you sure about the SIM data copy? My understanding is that the eSIM will have it's own identity and the number pairing is done at the mobile network operator level.

      • k-rokfm on 18/09/2017 - 15:33
        +2

        "Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 1 require an iPhone 5s or later with iOS 11 or later.
        Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) requires an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 11 or later. "

        Off the apple website. It will need to be paired to an iphone to work

        • pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 16:14
          -5

          If I wanted the official line off the apple website I wouldn't have bothered asking.

          I was hoping that someone could think outside of the square and find a way to possibly make it work. It seems like you're an inside-the-square kind of guy.

        • k-rokfm on 18/09/2017 - 20:00
          +1

          @pat_mac:

          Thats because apples an inside-the-box kind of company. If you wanted outside the box you would go android.. oh wait

        • smashed on 18/09/2017 - 20:06
          +1

          @pat_mac:

          At least he tried to help.

          I would politely suggest that you purchase one and give it a go.. Then you can call yourself an outside the box kinda guy.

  • idontreallyneedthat on 18/09/2017 - 16:40
    +1

    Perhaps it would be possible to set it up initially with your sim in an iphone (if you can somehow borrow one) and then to swap your sim back to your other phone after setting up the eSIM? Depends on how the whole system works I guess

    • pat_mac on 18/09/2017 - 18:06

      I'm thinking that this might be best way to try it - it might be a bit experimental, but at least I'll have the watch operational, and the numbers sync'd between sims (sim & esim). I do have a Mac for work, so it'll be interesting to see what OSX can do to help keep the ecosystem alive without an iPhone.

      Worst case scenario, I can replace my Android tablet with an iPad to see if this bridges any gaps that might exist. What's the worst that can happen? :-)

  • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2017 - 22:05

    Yeah android just won't work with it.

  • coxjon on 22/09/2017 - 08:08
    +1

    I just found this: How to use an LTE Apple Watch with an Android smartphone - iMore
    https://apple.news/Aza_Jdx3pTzOgU9OqgN45nA

    • pat_mac on 22/09/2017 - 08:51

      Nice spot @coxjon!. Along the lines of what @idontreallyneedthat and I were surmising. I'm popping out at lunch to grab one to test with (if there's any left) - highly experimental, but experiments are allowed to fail. I'm guessing that setting up all your main WiFi networks before swapping the sims will remove the burden from the LTE connection, and help with battery life - again I'll soon see.

      @k-rokfm you could learn a thing or two from @coxjon :-)

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