While you can set up as family without him having an iPhone, he will need his own phone for use of the health app as you described. Also if he’s a fall risk, consider the cellular model because it can call emergency without a cellular plan.

It is easy to find a cheap iPhone. He wouldn’t even need cell service to use it with the Watch, it could be used as an at home Wi-Fi device only. Refurbished would be fine if you are smart about checking to make sure it isn’t locked to someone’s account. Places like tracfone often have new but older models and if you hit it right there are sales stacked with coupons.

You really know what’s important in life, keep trying to hold onto that.

I’d say try the AW, it’s difficult for someone else to give you the answer. I use just my watch when out for walks four times a day. Sometimes I listen to podcasts or music (AirPods), so I’m just pointing out you could be less unplugged than you want. I opt not to get message notifications on my watch unless they’re emergency. Practicing self discipline is likely more what you want, and possibly just setting up Focus modes on your phone might help. I have mine set up to change focus modes and make my phone what I need it to be at certain hours of the day. Hope that helps some!

Why? Is iPhone too expensive? You can find cheap ones, older models sold like through tracfone can be cheap especially if you wait for a coupon/discount.

Why? Is iPhone too expensive? You can find cheap ones, older models sold like through tracfone can be cheap especially if you wait for a coupon/discount.

Depending on her fall risk, AW could really work well for her. I think a couple people listed some really good tips about who it’s good for and not. I would recommend a cellular model as it can call 911 without a cellular plan or iPhone nearby.

My mother wears it, but the one time she didn’t is when she fell. Luckily a neighbor found her and she was able fine but needed help getting off the ground. Seriously, the one time! She loves it and never takes it off except for charging and showering. I’m a fall risk and feel comfortable with AW for help if I fall. I’ve got an elderly neighbor that’s in her mid nineties and she has a service for a necklace type emergency button and that’s probably appropriate for her now whereas maybe a couple years ago she was more stable and could’ve used AW instead.

Most specifically, the entire ecosystem. I’m still on my first iPhone, an 11 I picked up cheap. It is just so smooth to switch between Apple devices, like I can be walking up the stairs with something on my phone and sit down at my desk and can just switch to my iMac. I can grab my iPad and go sit outside and keep going.

I only switched to iPhone because I got an Apple Watch. The alerts flitting between the two really got me hooked fast. It absolutely streamlined things for me. The speakers on the 11 aren’t great for music but that’s what AirPods are for , which btw also transfer with me from iPhone to other devices on the fly. I think when I upgrade at 16 or even 17 I’ll feel like I traveled to the future by a hundred years lol. Almost got the 15 but there’s just no need yet as the 11 is just so good still.

Snoopy watch face.