What happens if you have an Apple Watch but an Android phone? Can you pair them or are they fundamentally incompatible?
Are Apple Watches Compatible With Android Phones?
Whether you’re an avid Android fan or solely an iPhone user, there’s a plethora of companion devices on the market. Some people are brand loyalists, but others are willing to mix and match their devices to get the most affordable technology out there. But is it actually possible to use an Apple Watch with an Android phone? Or are the two brands incompatible? The answer is more complicated than you may think.
Can You Pair an Apple Watch with an Android Phone?
Officially, it doesn’t seem like there’s a way to pair the two. The Apple Watch User Guide gives great detail about how to pair your Apple Watch with an iPhone and how to use it on it’s own but doesn’t give any instructions for pairing it with a non-Apple device. While there is a way to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have their own phone, the watch will be primarily paired to the iPhone used to set it up and will have very limited features available.
User forums all seem to reach a similar conclusion. This question has been posed multiple times and each time the overwhelming response is that there’s no way to do it. You’re better off getting an iPhone for the Apple Watch or an Android-compatible smartwatch if you don’t want to replace your current phone. As frustrating as it may be to have to swap over from one operating system to another, it seems to be the only guaranteed way to pair a phone with a smartwatch.
Are There Workarounds?
While the general consensus on user forums is that there’s no official way to pair an Apple Watch with an Android phone, there are rumors of back door workarounds. One option is to find and install one of the third party apps on the Google Store. Supposedly once you download one of these apps you’ll be able pair your Apple Watch, but it won’t be the same as pairing it to an iPhone. These apps might not offer the full functionality that you’d have if you were pairing the watch to an iPhone, so this may not be the best workaround for you. But if you’re desperate to try, it’s worth a shot.
Sources
Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone, Apple.
Is the Apple Watch compatible with Android OS, Apple Community, 2023.
Using Apple Watch without iPhone, Apple Community, 2022.
Set up Apple Watch For Your Kids, Apple.
