As we know, Apple is very strict about its software & hardware compatibility with third-party devices & their software. So the question of how to connect a Fossil smartwatch to an iPhone is valid.
I’ll guide you through each step of how to connect a Fossil smartwatch to an iPhone, from verifying compatibility to receiving text messages on your watch.
This guide is suitable for both newcomers and those who need assistance. Let’s begin and ensure your Fossil smartwatch and iPhone work well together.
Compatibility Check: Can Fossil Smartwatch Connect to iPhone?
Yes! Your Fossil smartwatch can connect to your iPhone. it works well with Android devices because the Fossil Smartwatch runs Wear OS by Google.
But there are a few differences between connecting to Android & Apple Phones. First, you need to make sure the Fossil smartwatch you are using is based on Wear OS; then it will be able to connect your watch to your phone.
There are no Fossil smartwatches that use their OS. If Fossil had an OS it would probably stop you from connecting.
Compatible Fossil Smartwatches With iPhone
Here are the following Fossil smartwatches that can Connect to Your iPhone & Android devices as well.
1. Fossil Smartwatch Gen 5:
If you are using Fossil Smartwatch Gen 5 then you can easily connect your watch to your iPhone or Android phone.
Compatibility:
- All Apple phones with iOS 10+ version.
- All Android phones with OS 6.0+ (excluding the Go edition) version.
- All devices come with Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
2. Fossil Smartwatch Gen 4:
If you are using Fossil Smartwatch Gen 4 then you can easily connect your watch to your iPhone or Android phone.
Compatibility:
- All Apple phones with iOS 10+ version.
- All Android phones with OS 6.0+ (excluding the Go edition) version.
- All devices come with Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
3. Fossil Smartwatch Hybrid HR:
If you are using Fossil Smartwatch Hybrid HR then you can easily connect your watch to your iPhone or Android phone.
Compatibility:
- All Apple phones with iOS 10+ version.
- All Android phones with OS 5.0+ version.
- All devices come with Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy.
4. Fossil Smartwatch Hybrids:
If you are using Fossil Smartwatch Hybrids then you can connect your watch to your iPhone or Android phone.
Compatibility:
- All Apple phones with iOS 10+ version.
- All Android phones with OS 5.0+ version.
- All devices come with Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy.
How to Connect a Fossil Smartwatch to an iPhone
I have found there are two methods to connect your watch to your iPhone. One is for Gen versions & second is for hybrid watches. Both following methods are straightforward.
1. Connect Fossil Smartwatch Gen 5 & 4 to an iPhone
- Turn on your Fossil watch by pressing & holding the middle button.
- You will see the Fossil logo on the screen then wait for 2 sec. Tap to begin.
- Select your preferred language. Of course, English would be your preferred language.
- Tap the “Agree” button.
- Now wake up your iPhone.
- Turn the Internet & Bluetooth on.
- Go to the App Store & download the Wear OS app.
- Open the Wear OS app on your iPhone.
- Tap “Start Setup”.
- Next, click on the “Agree” button.
- Now tap “Enable”.
- Then tap the Allow button to allow the app to use Bluetooth.
- You will see the interface that says “Searching for a Device”.
- Click on the name of your smartwatch to pair the iPhone.
- You will likely see the confirmation popup. Tap on the “Allow” button to pair with your iPhone.
- Then click “Confirm Code” to connect.
- (Optional) – You will see the WiFi networks on your iPhone then connect the WiFi to your watch using your phone to get the latest Updates & Apps on your watch.
- (Optional) – You will get an option to log in to your Gmail account on your watch by signing in on your phone. Otherwise, you can skip this.
- It will ask you to sync your calendar. Then tap to continue by allowing the permission.
- Tap “Continue” to get notifications on your smartwatch.
- If you want to sync your contacts from your phone to watch then tap “Continue”.
- Tap “Continue” to use GPS location on your smartwatch.
- You will see the finishing page, wait then tap “Done”.
- All setup is done.
2. Connect Fossil Fossil Smartwatch Hybrid HR & Hybrids to an iPhone
- Turn WiFi & Bluetooth on on your iPhone.
- Download the Fossil Smartwatches app from the App Store on your iPhone.
- Open the Fossil Smartwatches App then click on “Get Started”. If you have an account click login.
- After getting login it will show you a Popup & ask you to send you notifications. Tap allow button.
- You will see the interface of the App.
- Click on the “smartwatch image” to pair your smartwatch to your iPhone.
- You will get two Options. Is your Watch Touchscreen or Hybrid? Tap Hybrid to continue.
- Click “ok” when it asks you about Bluetooth permission.
- Tap continue to start pairing.
- Press the middle button of your hybrid watch until you see the message “Device found” on your iPhone.
- Confirm the name of your watch from the iPhone’s screen then tap “This is my watch”.
- You need to press the middle button of your smartwatch to verify the pairing.
- iPhone will show you the message “Bluetooth pairing request”. Tap allow to continue.
- Allow your Hybrid smartwatch to receive your iPhone notifications.
- Allow the GPS location.
- Tap the Finish button.
- All settings are done & your Fossil smartwatch hybrid is now connected to your iPhone.
Missing Features on Fossil Smartwatches with iPhone vs. Android
If I talk about the missing features when pairing the Fossil Smartwatches with an iPhone, then there are some features you will miss on the iPhone compared to Android.
For example, PixtoCam (for controlling the phone’s camera) and Gallery (for sending images from the phone to watch) don’t work on iPhones because their alternatives aren’t available on the App Store.
However, you can download apps, games, and watch faces directly from the watch’s Play Store. Another missing feature is the ability to take screenshots of the watch using the phone, which is available for Android but not for iPhones.
Conclusion
Connecting your Fossil smartwatch to your iPhone is a straightforward process, and now you have a detailed guide to help you through each step.
I hope this makes your setup smooth and hassle-free. While there are some limitations when using a Fossil smartwatch with an iPhone compared to Android, you still get a robust, feature-rich experience.
Enjoy the seamless integration and all the benefits your Fossil smartwatch offers!