Visitor
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1 Message
Using Apple Watch Ultra with cellular plan without having phone on my person
Pulling my hair out talking to support all day. They keep telling me that I need to have my phone connected to the watch in order for the cellular to work properly. The sole benefit of having cellular on the watch is so I can leave my phone at home and stay connected.
Xfinity even falsely advertises this on their website:
The freedom of cellular: With a cellular service plan, you can call and text without your iPhone nearby. Stream your favorite music and podcasts. Get directions with Maps.
Link: Apple Watch - Newest Models & Important Features
Every support agent I talk to tells me that you still need your iPhone with you or else the cellular on the watch will not work as a standalone service. Is this really the case and it's just being falsely advertised? I can't think of a single benefit to the $10/mo line if I need my iPhone on me at all times. This is in inherent benefit of having the phone and watch combo, Xfinity adds no value with the service that can't already be done with a phone line and the watch itself.
XfinityDena
Official Employee
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3.9K Messages
4 months ago
Thank you for reaching out. I am sorry for any confusion, the phone needs to be within Bluetooth range, typically 30-50 feet (10-15 meters), or connected to the same Wi-Fi network to act as a fallback. @user_b1u2gy
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furious_george
Visitor
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16 Messages
3 months ago
You're not wrong. That would be ridiculous to need your phone to use the watch.... that said, it's pretty clear Xfinity is not equipped to actually support watches as stand alone devices as the newer ones' technology is not supported by Xfinity's network infrastructure. The watches are typically paired to a phone, but after that, the watch should work independent of the phone without requiring a modicum of geographic proximity to the phone to function.
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user_uxt74o
Visitor
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1 Message
13 hours ago
Very disappointed with Xfinity false claims about Apple GPS cellular watch connectivity without a cellphone nearby. I think they could be/should be sued by anyone who falls and is injured because their apple watch with GPS cellular failed to call 911 (because phone not near them). How could Xfinity advertise, and their phone reps claim:
"The freedom of cellular: With a cellular service plan, you can call and text without your iPhone nearby"
My husband and I purchased an apple watch with GPS cellular years ago for the safety feature. We actually had to use it (when we had Verizon service). My husband fell and was unconscious and the watch detected the fall and called 911 (without his phone near him). Without prompt medical attention this could have been a life-threatening event.
We just changed to Xfinity internet, cellphone and watch. Switch, price and service seemed great until discovering that the watch will only work as a phone (via bluetooth) if the phone is nearby! We were told that our apple watch would continue to work independent of the phone (i.e., it would not have to be near us). By accident, I just discovered that I was unable to call my husband from my watch ( I left my phone home by accident). This prompted me to explore how this could be.
Now I will have to return to Verizon service. Thank goodness I discovered this problem before falling or needing to make a call from my watch in an emergency.
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