Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android phone?

If there’s one drawback when it comes to the Apple Watch, it’s the lack of compatibility with operating systems beyond iOS. Sure, the Apple Watch is a brilliant iPhone companion, but what if you own a Samsung Galaxy S22 series or OnePlus 10? Is there any way you can use an Apple Watch with an Android smartphone? We try to answer that question below.

Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android phone?

Essentially, no. If you try connecting an Apple Watch to an Android phone, the two simply won’t pair. The Apple Watch will only work with iPhones, and that isn’t ever likely to change.

To activate an Apple Watch, you’ll need an iPhone with the Watch app installed. There’s no substitute for this on Android, even if your device does support Bluetooth connectivity.

However, there’s no reason why you can’t use the two devices simultaneously. If you own an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and an Android phone, you can use all three at the same time. In fact, you could theoretically use your Apple Watch to track your daily activity while leaving your iPhone at home. If you have an LTE Apple Watch, you could also use standalone apps on the wearable, too. Notably, this will impact the Apple Watch’s battery, but it’s entirely possible.

See also: How to pair an Apple Watch with an iPhone

Do I have any other options?

Yes. There’s an alternative but extremely limited way to use an Apple Watch LTE variant with an Android phone. However, you’ll still need an iPhone to set the process in motion.

1. Firstly, you’ll need to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone. Once complete, place a test call on your iPhone to see if the SIM card is activated.
2. Next, put your iPhone in Airplane Mode. Check if the Apple Watch is still connected to a network. If it is, switch off your Apple Watch.
3. Now, transfer the SIM card in your iPhone to an Android phone and switch on the Apple Watch.

This little trick should let you place and receive calls and use limited voice controls on both devices. Essentially, the two devices aren’t paired via Bluetooth, but merely share the same SIM details. This means you’ll miss out on a slew of Apple-exclusive features, from health data syncing to Apple’s suite of apps.

Realistically, this is a pretty daft way to use an Apple Watch, especially considering you require an iPhone to set it up. Constantly using LTE on the Apple Watch, especially if it’s not paired to an iPhone, is an easy way to completely drain the battery in little to no time.

If you’re an Android user looking to purchase an Apple Watch, it’s a given that you’ll need to invest in an iPhone, too. That said, if you already own an Android phone, there are no shortage of smartwatches that work with Android. The Galaxy Watch 4 series, Garmin Venu 2 range, and the Fitbit Sense and Versa lineups are excellent examples.

See also: The best smartwatches

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