KeepMyWatchSwitching to Android: what happens to your Apple Watch
The watch keeps working, but on its own: it stops getting your phone’s notifications and calls, because Apple Watch pairs only with an iPhone. Its own apps still run over Wi-Fi or cellular. KeepMyWatch, an app on the Android phone and one on the watch, brings the phone’s notifications, calls and Find my phone back to your wrist.
What stops when the iPhone goes
- Notifications and calls from your phone. They used to come from the iPhone over Bluetooth, and an Android phone can’t take its place.
- The iPhone’s Watch app, so changing some settings and setting up a new or reset watch.
What keeps working
The watch itself. Apple describes what a watch can do without its iPhone nearby: on Wi-Fi or cellular it runs its own apps and gets their notifications. Keep the watch set up, and don’t reset it after the switch.
What KeepMyWatch brings back
Tried on Samsung Galaxy S26 and S24 phones with an Apple Watch Series 9:
| From the Android phone | On the watch |
|---|---|
| Notifications from every app, with the app’s icon | Works |
| Replies, in apps that offer them (such as WhatsApp) | Works |
| Phone and WhatsApp calls | Shown, with Decline |
| Find my phone | A melody at full volume, even on silent |
| Music playing on the phone | Play, pause, skip and volume |
Any Android phone?
KeepMyWatch is built for any phone with Android 13 or later, such as Galaxy, Pixel or OnePlus. So far it has been tested on Samsung Galaxy S26 and S24. Some brands hold apps back to save battery; set KeepMyWatch’s battery use to Unrestricted (on some phones: Don’t optimize), as the battery guide shows for Samsung.
Next steps
Follow the switch checklist before you put the iPhone away, then install and pair.