AppleInsider Staff
Apple on Tuesday announced upcoming support for Apple Watch Family Setup in Canada, a new feature that enables customers to buy and use the wearable without their own iPhone.
Partner carrier Bell Mobility will deliver the capability to subscribers on Monday, Dec. 14, Apple said.
Unveiled alongside Apple Watch Series 6 and SE in September, Apple Watch Family Setup allows users to activate a compatible Watch model through a family member's iPhone. The feature benefits both children and older users who want to connect with family, monitor their health, track Activity levels, navigate with Maps, interact with Siri, set alarms and more, but do not own Apple's smartphone.
With Family Setup, Apple Watch owners can also take advantage of Emergency SOS over cellular, while parents are able to keep tabs on children through the Find My app. Parents are afforded expanded control over provisioned Watches and can restrict access to certain features by setting up Schooltime and Downtime modes.
"We're pleased to partner with Apple to be the first in Canada to offer Family Setup," said Claire Gillies, President of Bell Mobility. "Family Setup is an ideal solution for family members without an iPhone to benefit from the communication, health, fitness and safety features of Apple Watch. We're excited to offer Bell customers this new way to help them stay connected."
Those who use Family Setup to activate Apple Watch will be provided their own Apple ID and phone number through a separate cellular plan.
Family Setup requires an Apple Watch Series 4 or later and iPhone 6 or later.
Bell Mobility plans to offer Family Setup on Dec. 14 with devices running iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2. Release candidates for both operating systems were issued today ahead of a likely release on Thursday.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
3 Comments
Great news, but I'm wondering if the US rate of US$10/month per Watch after conversion to Canadian dollars (30% is fair) will bring the price to $13/month per Watch. Or will Bell try to ramp up the price to $15/month or $20/month extra per Watch.
I am struggling to envision the size of the market where everyone in the family can not only afford an Apple Watch, but also the monthly service costs of the carrier connection on top of whatever phone services they might also have.
because when you think about it, it would be better to have an actual phone first.
I bought my Apple watch back in 2022 for myself and a couple of months later for my kids. Hvae been using Better roaming esims, and now planning to upgrade to the Nike watch editions.