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

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.

f1600190460
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 Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

phgreer Avatar
47 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
47 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
47 months ago
So far this seems like the parts bin keynote
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
47 months ago
This is kind of a game changer.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jmausmuc Avatar
47 months ago
This keynote is boring.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aaroncon Avatar
47 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)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...