Will Apple watch’s family setup transform how children stay connected in India?

In India, Apple has released a new function for the Apple Watch that lets parents allow their kids to send and receive text messages, audio calls, and phone calls right from their wrist without requiring an iPhone.

During the epidemic, watchOS 7 introduced the “Family Setup” option, which was not accessible in India at the time. Apple is now introducing it in India.

What is Family Setup?

The Apple Watch has long been perceived as an accessory for the iPhone. However, users may now make phone calls, send texts, and share GPS locations with family members without using an iPhone thanks to the Apple Watch’s new Family Setup feature, which is intended for young people and the elderly. It was convenient for those who already had an iPhone to have to use one to set up an Apple Watch until recently. Nevertheless, an old or youngster at home could not utilise the Apple Watch as a single gadget.

How Family Setup Works

With Family Setup, kids easily get in touch with their parents without requiring a smartphone. It needs an Apple Watch Series 4 or later model that has a wireless cellular network connection to the internet. The Apple Watch SE, which costs Rs 34,900 and features wireless functionality, is the most reasonably priced new watch that offers this feature even though the Apple Watch Series 4 is no longer available for purchase. As an alternative, you can use this capability by repurposing your previous Apple Watch with a cellular connection.

Service Providers and Requirements

Currently, Jio is the sole service provider in India supporting the Apple Watch’s Family Setup feature, requiring an additional monthly fee to activate LTE on the Apple Watch. Once activated, the Apple Watch user will receive their own phone number. Additionally, you will need an iPhone running iOS 14 or later.

Setting Up Family Setup

An Apple ID is also required for both you and your child. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings, choose Family, and then click Add Member if you both already have one. You will be able to Create a Child Account if your child does not currently have an Apple ID. Enter the child’s name, birthdate, and email address as directed. Should they be without an email address, you can use the iCloud suggestion.

It is easy to set up. As a parent, you must use the Family Sharing function to connect your child’s Apple Watch to yours while setting it up with their own Apple ID. Following setup, you may control your child’s contacts, limit access to Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and iCloud contacts, and use the Find People app on your watch to see where they are. Moreover, you may program notifications to tell you when your child gets home from school.

Key Features

“Schooltime mode” is one feature in particular that essentially disables app access and activates the Do Not Disturb function, allowing only emergency calls and notifications.