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Many people would like to have their own Apple Watch, but until recently they couldn’t get one because they didn’t have their own iPhone to sync with. Now, however, Apple has released Family Setup. This allows you to set multiple Apple Watches from a single iPhone, and it’s really easy to do.
If you’re a parent or guardian, it also gives you helpful controls on what kids can and can’t do, like who can contact them or what they can do during class time.
Family setup requires a cellular version of Apple Watch Series 4 and up. That includes the Apple Watch SE.
Why is the family setting useful?
Let’s say your partner would love an Apple Watch but has an Android phone, or the kids really want an Apple Watch but their iPhone is too old or they don’t have an iPhone. With Family Setup that is no longer an issue and means that the cost of joining the Apple Watch family no longer includes an iPhone. So it can be as low as the price of a second-hand Apple Watch SE or Series 4.
For parents and guardians, Family Setup also gives them a level of control over what each child can do that they cannot get if they have a watch paired with their own phone.
You can set time restrictions on a child’s Apple Watch so they don’t waste time at school.
What Apple Watch models does Family Setup work with?
Family Setup works with mobile versions of the Apple Watch from Series 4 onwards, including the new Apple Watch SE. It requires watchOS 7, which you can download on any of the supported phones.
Can I use Family Setup with an Apple Watch that is not a GPS + cellular model?
We fear the answer to that is no.
Do I have to pay for a cellular plan to use Family Setup?
Yes and no. It is possible to use Family Setup without a cellular plan as long as the Apple Watch itself is a cellular model, but key features like location sharing and making and receiving calls when the user is away from home will not work.
Where can I get a cellular plan for my children’s Apple Watch?
As long as they have a cellular Apple Watch, you can get a cellular plan from select networks. However, while many networks offer mobile phone plans for the Apple Watch, not all of them work with Family Setup. In the UK, the only providers are Truphone and Three; In the US, you can choose from AT&T, C Spire, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. No sign of an Australian provider yet, so we’ll keep you posted on that one.
You will need an iCloud ID for the person whose Apple Watch you are setting up.
How much will a cellular plan cost for Family Settings?
That depends on your provider. In the UK, Truphone plans start at £ 7.99 a month or £ 79 a year. In the US, Verizon and T-Mobile charge $ 10 a month for a single device plan; discounts are available if you add the watch to an existing phone plan.
Are there Apple Watch features that kids can’t use?
Yes. Features that require a paired iPhone will not work. Your family members won’t be able to access Irregular Heart Rate, ECG, Cycle Tracking, Sleep, Blood Oxygen Notifications, Podcasts, Remote Control, News, Home, or Shortcuts, and Apple Pay doesn’t work either, although in the US. Apple Cash Family allows those under 18 to transfer cash through Messages.
Are there age limits for Apple Watch features with family settings?
Yes. Those under the age of 18 do not receive fall detection because, as all parents know, children fall from everything everywhere all the time, and those under 13 will not receive heart rate notifications or be able to track active calories in the Move category of the app activity. Move will record your active minutes for you.
How do I set a new clock in family settings?
Turn on the watch and bring it closer to your iPhone. You will see a pop-up window: Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch. When you do, you will see two options: configure for me or configure for a family member. Whichever you choose, pair the watch as usual and set a passcode.
You can even set movement goals for kids activity apps. Calorie tracking is disabled for those under 13 years of age.
The next step is different, because you must choose a family member. If you already have Family Sharing enabled in your iCloud account, you will see a list of available family members; If you haven’t already, you can add a new family member here.
Once you’ve done that, you can enable Request to Purchase, which means that any download or purchase needs your approval. After that, you can choose which features to give your child including Find People, Siri, Messages, Health Data, SOS Emergency, Activity, and Photos. You can also create a selected contact list of the people you want your child to be able to communicate with.
Last but not least, you can activate Schooltime. This is a kind of Do Not Disturb for class time and blocks apps and complications. It has many nuances, so, for example, you can deactivate school hours at recess or lunch. Your child can also enable it himself if he wants to focus on homework or just tune out for a while.
School Time turns off apps, complications, and other distractions during times when you want a child to focus on school work.
Can my child or another family member disable family settings?
If you can. They can disable Family Settings in the Settings app on their Apple Watch, and they can also use Settings to change their device preferences.
