Can an Apple Watch work with an Android mobile? Good the truth is yes, it is possible to use both without carrying an iPhone. However, not everything is rosy: we tell you what you can do with both and if it is worth betting on this combination.
Combining devices with different systems has been my passion long before I started writing about technology. I started on iOS with the first iPhone model (iPhone Edge) and on Android with the second that Google introduced after the first HTC Dream or G1 (the HTC Magic). Yes I used compatible accessories between the two systems whenever possible; often thanks to their cross-platform, others with the logical disadvantages caused by the different systems. And the Apple Watch is no exception.
The Apple Watch works with Android, but you still need an iPhone
Before continuing, I must tell you that you should not expect full compatibility with Android, even partial: the Apple Watch is not configurable with an Android mobile, also cannot receive your notifications or sync apps. Therefore, it is essential that you also own an iPhone and keep it connected to the internet.
The only thing you can do with the Apple Watch and an Android is to use the phone as a hotspot for the watch to access the internet through the mobile. It may not seem like much, but when combining several systems for work and leisure, it is extremely practical. That you don’t always want to leave the house with the iPhone? Share your Android’s connection to the watch and this one will work almost as well as if you had the iPhone on you.
With the Apple Watch connected to your Android mobile, the watch will work as if you had the iPhone with you
Apple Watch stays in sync with iPhone remotely as long as the watch has internet access. And sharing the connection from your Android produces the same effect as you would get with an Apple Watch LTE; although without the extra cost that this entails (apart from the fact that a WiFi-only watch consumes much less battery than one connected to the mobile data network).
I do not recommend buying an Apple Watch if the iPhone is not actively used. Although, if the only thing you care about in the Apple ecosystem is the Watch, you can buy a used iPhone (the current minimum is an iPhone 6S), configure both and use your Android with the Watch while keeping the iPhone connected at home
How to set up your Android and Apple Watch
Apple Watch and iPhone come out of the box with just enough settings to work remotely, so you won’t have to do anything on either device. On Android, you need to change some settings.
- Enter your Android mobile settings and look for internet sharing options.
- Configure the access point with the desired network name and password.
- Activate the hotspot you created and connect from your iPhone. The name of the network, and its password, will automatically be shared to Apple Watch via iCloud.
- Enable hotspot on your Android.
- Go to settings on your Apple Watch and select the network you created on the Android phone.
If it connects correctly, everything will be ready: you will be able to use your Apple Watch without carrying your iPhone simply by connecting it to the WiFi shared by your Android. Of course, remember that the iPhone also needs to connect to the internet: just leave it at home (and with WiFi).