PhoneTether

We’ll get you protected

Setup & Support

Start here if you are installing PhoneTether or if your Watch is not warning you as expected.

First-time setup

Four steps. About a minute.

  1. 1
    Install both apps

    Install PhoneTether on your iPhone and its companion app on your paired Apple Watch.

  2. 2
    Open PhoneTether on both devices

    Keep your iPhone and Watch nearby for the first connection.

  3. 3
    Turn on Watch notifications

    On Apple Watch, scroll to Finish setup, tap Turn on notifications, then tap Allow when the Watch asks.

  4. 4
    Tap Turn On Protection

    When the iPhone says You’re protected, PhoneTether is ready.

New Watch-face widget

See your protection status at a glance.

PhoneTether now includes an optional Apple Watch complication—the small widget that appears on your Watch face. It shows whether your Watch is ready to warn you if this iPhone is left behind.

  1. 1
    Touch and hold your active Watch face.
  2. 2
    Tap Edit, then swipe to Complications.
  3. 3
    Tap a complication slot and choose PhoneTether.
  4. 4
    Press the Digital Crown to save.

PhoneTether cannot add it automatically. Apple Watch face layouts belong to you, so this one-time step must be completed on your Watch.

Apple Watch face with the PhoneTether complication showing a shield and OK status
OK means your Watch is ready to warn you.
OKReady to warn you
LINKReconnecting
ALERTiPhone left behind
OFFProtection is off
CHECKOpen PhoneTether to refresh an old status

The Watch-face widget gives you an at-a-glance status and lets PhoneTether request refreshes as the connection changes. watchOS controls when those refreshes run, so the widget improves background reconnect opportunities but does not guarantee them.

Quick fixes

If something is not working

The Watch app is not installed

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap My Watch, then scroll to Available Apps.
  3. Find PhoneTether and tap Install.
  4. Open PhoneTether once on the Watch.

The apps will not reconnect

  1. Bring the iPhone and Watch together and unlock them.
  2. Confirm Bluetooth is on.
  3. Open PhoneTether on both devices.
  4. Wait up to 30 seconds for You’re protected.

The alert has no sound

  1. On iPhone, open Watch → Notifications → PhoneTether.
  2. Enable notifications and sounds.
  3. Check Watch Silent Mode and Focus.
  4. Enable haptics in Watch settings too.

The alert came late or too soon

PhoneTether detects Bluetooth-link loss, not exact distance. Walls, interference, device state, and watchOS background behavior can change when a warning arrives. You can adjust the grace period in Alert & app settings.

Before relying on it

Run one safe test.

Leave your iPhone in a secure place, keep your Watch on, and walk away until the Bluetooth link is lost. Confirm the Watch alerts, then return and confirm protection reconnects.

Remember

PhoneTether is an extra reminder, not a guarantee. Apple Watch settings and operating-system behavior can affect alert timing, sound, and background delivery.

Still stuck?

We want to help.

Email us and include your iPhone model, Apple Watch model, iOS and watchOS versions, and the PhoneTether version shown under Troubleshooting.

Email PhoneTether support