Apple Watch SE and Series 6 Include 'Family Setup' for Pairing Multiple Watches to a Single iPhone

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Apple today announced Family Setup for Apple Watch Series 4 and later and Apple Watch SE, describing the feature as a way for parents, guardians, and carers to pair Apple Watch models worn by others to a single iPhone.

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Currently, every Apple Watch needs to pair with its own ‌iPhone‌, but Family Setup will allow users to pair watches for children or older members of their household who might not have their own iPhones.

Apple is pitching it as a new way for families to use Apple Watch in a novel way, allowing parents to specify who kids can call, and set up automatic location notifications.

‌Family Setup‌ also includes a "Schooltime Mode," which sets up Do Not Disturb on kids' watches with restricted interaction and a special watch face.

This story is part of our ongoing coverage of Apple's virtual "Time Flies" event today. Refresh for more details and follow our live blog.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE
Tag: September 2020 event
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution), Apple Watch SE (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

phgreer Avatar
phgreer
11 months ago
I think this is the best announcement today. I have elderly parents and dad has been having more and more fall issues. The SE would be perfect and it's also a sneaky way for them to sell more watches too. I love they recognize we may have elderly folks who are not tech savvy at all and do not need an iPhone.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
[AUT] Thomas Avatar
[AUT] Thomas
11 months ago
The fact that you have to pair the watch at all is a joke in first place... then that is limited to iPhones. Can't even use an iPad.

Can't innovate my...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wackery Avatar
Wackery
11 months ago
So far this seems like the parts bin keynote
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
Baymowe335
11 months ago
This is kind of a game changer.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jmausmuc Avatar
Jmausmuc
11 months ago
This keynote is boring.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aaroncon Avatar
aaroncon
11 months ago

Where are you seeing this, aside from the incorrect headline of this article?



Where are you seeing that it is 4 and up? This is a watchOS 7 feature. watchOS 7 works with Series 3 and up. I don't see anything on Apple's site that limits this feature to certain models.



I think this article is wrong.



Where are you seeing that this only works with Cellular models? It is possible but I can't find that on Apple's website.



I don't think it is limited to the new watches.



Where are you seeing cellular is a requirement? I haven't been able to find that on Apple's site.
Family Setup lets you use your iPhone to pair watches for family members who don’t have their own iPhone. Only available with GPS + Cellular. Learn more ('https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/overlay/watch/family_setup')

From Learn More link:
Compatibility
Family Setup is only available with GPS + Cellular models for Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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