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> I bought a Macbook last holiday season and couldn't even set it up until my wife set up her iPhone on my account... I have no idea what you mean by this. You

> I bought a Macbook last holiday season and couldn't even set it up until my wife set up her iPhone on my account... I have no idea what you mean by this. You do not need, and have never needed, to own an iPhone to use an Apple computer. > I bought my wife a iWatch last week and briefly thought of getting myself one but you can't use it without an iPhone... This, on the other hand, makes a little more sense. The Apple Watch is designed as a companion device to an iPhone. Much of its functionality relies upon the phone (e.g. displaying notifications from the phone, installing watch apps which pair with corresponding phone apps) -- it can't do much on its own.

jayd16 4y ago
What about all those ads for the cell iWatches that boast leaving the phone behind?
- duskwuff 4y ago
  The cellular version of the Apple Watch can perform a limited set of tasks -- like making phone calls, sending/receiving text messages, and playing music -- without a phone present. It still requires a phone for full functionality, and for setup.
- colejohnson66 4y ago
  The Apple Watch is designed to be tethered to the phone, even if just for configuration. If you want to go on a hike while leaving your (distracting) phone behind, you can. Just don't expect 911 unless you have the GPS+cellular version.
- idle_zealot 4y ago
  You need to have an iPhone in order to leave it behind.
bfung 4y ago
W/o the phone, the watch is a… watch. If pre-installed and configure, it’s still convenient for things like wallet/Apple Pay, esp when I do dumb stuff like forget my wallet and phone at home and need to pay for things.
linsomniac 4y ago
When I got my M1 MBP there was no way, that I could find, to set up the computer and login the first time without using an iPhone. I don't remember the exact phrasing it gave me, but the only way I could get the system set up was my wife logging out of her iPhone, and logging into it as me. I don't know if this is newer than your experience, or there was some trick to get past it, but I couldn't find one.
- ev1 4y ago
  I have a M1 and M2 (Pro and Air, and non-M Pro and Air) and have never done this, and never seen it. I do not even have an Apple ID logged into any Mac laptop I have ever owned. You do not need an account or an iPhone, this makes no sense to me. Was this purchased new from a retail store?
  - linsomniac 4y ago
    Purchased new directly from Apple.

jayd16 4y ago

What about all those ads for the cell iWatches that boast leaving the phone behind?

duskwuff 4y ago
The cellular version of the Apple Watch can perform a limited set of tasks -- like making phone calls, sending/receiving text messages, and playing music -- without a phone present. It still requires a phone for full functionality, and for setup.
colejohnson66 4y ago
The Apple Watch is designed to be tethered to the phone, even if just for configuration. If you want to go on a hike while leaving your (distracting) phone behind, you can. Just don't expect 911 unless you have the GPS+cellular version.
idle_zealot 4y ago
You need to have an iPhone in order to leave it behind.

bfung 4y ago

W/o the phone, the watch is a… watch. If pre-installed and configure, it’s still convenient for things like wallet/Apple Pay, esp when I do dumb stuff like forget my wallet and phone at home and need to pay for things.

linsomniac 4y ago

When I got my M1 MBP there was no way, that I could find, to set up the computer and login the first time without using an iPhone. I don't remember the exact phrasing it gave me, but the only way I could get the system set up was my wife logging out of her iPhone, and logging into it as me. I don't know if this is newer than your experience, or there was some trick to get past it, but I couldn't find one.

ev1 4y ago
I have a M1 and M2 (Pro and Air, and non-M Pro and Air) and have never done this, and never seen it. I do not even have an Apple ID logged into any Mac laptop I have ever owned. You do not need an account or an iPhone, this makes no sense to me. Was this purchased new from a retail store?
- linsomniac 4y ago
  Purchased new directly from Apple.