Family Setup on Apple Watch: Features, how it works, more
Apple has a software feature for the Apple Watch called Family Setup. The feature is designed to help you set up and manage an Apple Watch for either a child or grandparent - even if they don't own an iPhone - whereby you control what apps they can use and how the smartwatch is used.
Here's everything you need to know about Family Setup including what it can do and how it works.
What is Family Setup for Apple Watch?
- WatchOS 7 feature
- Allows kids and older adults to use Apple Watch without iPhone
Family Setup is a feature that was introduced in the WatchOS 7 software update in 2020 that allows an Apple Watch to be set up through a parent or guardian's iPhone, without the need to use the iPhone thereafter. Prior to the Family Setup feature, to use an Apple Watch you had to pair it with that user's iPhone.
With the Family Setup feature, you can use your own iPhone to pair multiple watches for children or elderly family members, and they get their own phone number and account, which you can then help control from your device.
Apple Watch users who do not have an iPhone can still use features like Emergency SOS, Medical ID, FaceTime, Health app, and the App Store, as the Watch has its own number.
Family Setup also introduces parental control-like features (think ScreenTime but for your Watch), like location tracking for children, a Do-Not-Disturb-like Schooltime mode to help kids stay focused, and more.
Which devices support Family Setup?
- Only works with the cellular models of Apple Watch Series 4 or later
- Parent or guardians will need iPhone 6s or later
Family Setup requires cellular models of Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 7, paired with a parent or guardian's iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later.
It will not work on the Apple Watch 3.
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What can you do with Family Setup?
Children and older adults must be members of the same household to use Family Setup. They will each get their own phone number through a separate cellular plan, and by using their own Apple ID, they can use services like Calendar, Reminders, Messages, and more.
You, as the parent, can approve all contacts, so kids can safely use any communication features.
Location tracking
There's the ability to set up automation location notifications, so you can be notified of your child's whereabouts.
Various locations can be added, and are all searchable via Apple Maps - you simply type in your kid's school for example, and then once you've set up a location you can get notifications of when the arrive, leave, or is merely "not at" that location.
Beyond that you can also get regular alerts either "once" or "every time". And of course, you can see where they are via the Find my app, so you know if they're on the way home or still hanging out at the local shops.
Schooltime
One of the concerns you might have giving your child an Apple Watch is that they'll get in trouble at school. There is a "Schooltime mode" that effectively blocks the user from doing a bunch of stuff like playing with apps or loading up the calculator to help in their maths lesson.
The watch can be set up to have multiple schedules and can include breaks. Schooltime blocks apps and complications and turns on the Do Not Disturb feature. Only Emergency calls and notifications will breakthrough. That means you can text them something important, but they can't text you back.
When on the watch face changes to feature a big yellow circle, and the idea, presumably, is that teachers will eventually become wise to the fact that a yellow circle means the watch is locked and not get your child in trouble. Good luck with that.
In a further step to encourage children not to tinker, you also be able to see how many times your child has tried to unlock the Apple Watch while schooltime is turned on.
Communication limits
Beyond Schooltime, there are general communication limits and controls that can be set. You can apply limits to Phone, FaceTime, Messages and iCloud contacts, including whether to or not to enact that while Screen Time and Downtime is on, no skirting around the edges etc. You'll also be able to manage and edit your child's contacts, choose and edit smart replies for messages and add a Gmail account.
If they use the Emergency SOS feature, you'll be automatically notified if they are listed as an emergency contact. You can set yourself up as an ICE contact, however it won't work in the same way as long-pressing the side button to call emergency services.
Apps
Apple Family Setup users (ie your kids) will be able to access the Watch App Store to download third-party apps directly on their devices, but you'll be able to manage what is available for them to download.
They'll also be able to use the Memoji app on Apple Watch to create custom Memojis that can be shared while messaging friends or displayed as a watch face.
Health and Fitness features
Apple has also tweaked the Activity rings experience for children with a move away from Move calories to Move minutes. Additionally Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Outdoor Cycle workouts have been specifically tuned for kids. The motivational messages are tailored to relevant reading levels, especially given that users as young as six could now be wearing an Apple Watch.
Perhaps more useful for those planning on giving an Apple Watch to an older adult, is that you'll be notified if the Apple Watch detects the wearer has had a fall or reports irregular rhythm supported on newer Apple Watch models. The user will have to give permission first.
Apple Cash Family
In the US, parents will be able to use a feature called Apple Cash Family to send kids money to spend via Apple Pay. You can also view your child's purchases right in Wallet on your own iPhone.
How to set up Family Setup
- Must set up Family Sharing and Apple IDs first
The first thing you'll need to do is make sure the iPhone you are using for the initial setup is within 10-metres of the Apple Watch. You'll also need to make sure you enable Family Sharing and get an Apple ID for the child or elderly family member of the household.
Cellular service is also required to use all Family Setup features.
After you've taken all these things into account, follow the steps below for Family Setup.
- Tell the family member to put on the Apple Watch and adjust it accordingly
- Turn on the Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears
- Bring your iPhone near the Apple Watch and wait for the pairing screen
- Press Continue
- Alternatively, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone > All Watches > Pair New Watch
- Tap Set Up for a Family Member, then tap Continue on the next screen
- Position your iPhone so that the Apple Watch appears in the viewfinder in the Apple Watch app to pair the devices
- Tap Set Up Apple Watch. Follow the instructions.
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