UPDATE 18 May 2023

Family Setup on Apple Watch launches in the UAE

The Apple Watch experience is extended to kids and other family members who do not have their own iPhone

iPhone 14 is shown next to three Apple Watch Series 8 models.

Family Setup on Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or later is now available in the United Arab Emirates with iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4, bringing the communication, health, fitness, and safety features of Apple Watch to kids in the family who do not have their own iPhone.

For the first time, Apple Watch can be set up through a parent’s iPhone, so kids can connect with family and friends through phone calls and Messages, stay motivated to reach personalized Activity goals, express themselves through custom Memoji, and enjoy features that give them more independence like Maps, Siri, Alarms, and the App Store. Family Setup makes it possible for parents to identify their location via Find My, all while knowing personal data is secure and encrypted. Kids also benefit from powerful safety tools like Emergency SOS.

Connectivity

Family members using Family Setup have their own Apple ID and their own phone number, allowing them to take advantage of the many features, apps, and communication tools on Apple Watch, while parents have the ability to approve all contacts. Kids can make and receive phone and FaceTime audio calls, send and receive messages and emails, connect over Walkie-Talkie, and even create a customized Memoji in the Memoji app to share with friends.

Kids can create and follow their own schedule in Calendar, learn to manage tasks with Reminders, play their favorite songs on Apple Music through Bluetooth headphones and speakers, and navigate independently with Maps. Using the App Store on Apple Watch, they can download third-party apps directly on device, and parents can manage what is available for download through Content Restrictions and Ask to Buy support.

Two Apple Watch Series 8 models are shown.

Safety

To help them stay safe, a child can share their location with their parent through the Find People app on Apple Watch, and location notifications can be customized, allowing the parent to receive an update when the child arrives, leaves, or is not at an expected location.

Emergency SOS and Crash Detection allow children using Family Setup to easily access emergency services, and parents will be automatically notified if they are listed as an emergency contact. Users can also set up their Medical ID, which includes important information such as medical conditions, allergies, and medications.

Activity

The Activity rings experience in Family Setup has been optimized so kids can track Move minutes instead of calories burned, and receive accurate credit from Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Outdoor Cycle workouts specifically tuned for kids. Kids can enjoy Activity Sharing, receive tailored coaching notifications, challenge friends with Competitions, and celebrate Awards they’ve earned right on their wrist. With permission, parents can see a full view of their child’s health and activity through the Health app on iPhone.

Schooltime and Downtime

Schooltime is a mode in Family Setup that helps ensure kids stay focused and attentive while learning. During Schooltime, a distinctive yellow circle is displayed on the watch face for teachers and parents to easily recognize, signifying that access to apps is restricted and Do Not Disturb is turned on. For convenience, parents can set the schedule on their iPhone so Apple Watch automatically goes into Schooltime during certain hours, or turn it on from Control Center on the child’s watch. To support responsible usage of the device, the Downtime feature of Screen Time extends to Apple Watch.

Family Setup for Older Adults

Older adults in the family who do not have their own iPhone can also take advantage of Family Setup through a family member’s iPhone, including to make calls, send messages, and benefit from the important safety features of Apple Watch such as Emergency SOS. Additionally, Calendar, Maps, Siri, Alarms, and the App Store provide greater independence for older adults, without needing their own iPhone.

Privacy

Privacy is a fundamental human right and one of Apple’s core values. Apple believes all personal data including location, communication, fitness, and health should be securely encrypted on devices and in iCloud. Family Setup has been carefully designed to ensure users have control of their personal data.

Availability and Activation

Family Setup is now available in the UAE with iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4, on cellular models of Apple Watch Series 4 or later, or Apple Watch SE paired with iPhone 8 or later.

Not all features will be available if Apple Watch is set up through Family Setup. A wireless service plan is required for cellular service, currently available through Etisalat in the UAE.

Family Setup requires Family Sharing and an Apple ID for the child or older family member.

Apple Watch supports 14 hours of daily usage with Family Setup.¹

Media

Text of this article
18 May 2023

UPDATE

Family Setup on Apple Watch launches in the UAE

The Apple Watch experience is extended to kids and other family members who do not have their own iPhone

Family Setup on Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or later is now available in the United Arab Emirates with iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4, bringing the communication, health, fitness, and safety features of Apple Watch to kids in the family who do not have their own iPhone.

For the first time, Apple Watch can be set up through a parent’s iPhone, so kids can connect with family and friends through phone calls and Messages, stay motivated to reach personalized Activity goals, express themselves through custom Memoji, and enjoy features that give them more independence like Maps, Siri, Alarms, and the App Store. Family Setup makes it possible for parents to identify their location via Find My, all while knowing personal data is secure and encrypted. Kids also benefit from powerful safety tools like Emergency SOS.

Connectivity

Family members using Family Setup have their own Apple ID and their own phone number, allowing them to take advantage of the many features, apps, and communication tools on Apple Watch, while parents have the ability to approve all contacts. Kids can make and receive phone and FaceTime audio calls, send and receive messages and emails, connect over Walkie-Talkie, and even create a customized Memoji in the Memoji app to share with friends.

Kids can create and follow their own schedule in Calendar, learn to manage tasks with Reminders, play their favorite songs on Apple Music through Bluetooth headphones and speakers, and navigate independently with Maps. Using the App Store on Apple Watch, they can download third-party apps directly on device, and parents can manage what is available for download through Content Restrictions and Ask to Buy support.

Safety

To help them stay safe, a child can share their location with their parent through the Find People app on Apple Watch, and location notifications can be customized, allowing the parent to receive an update when the child arrives, leaves, or is not at an expected location.

Emergency SOS and Crash Detection allow children using Family Setup to easily access emergency services, and parents will be automatically notified if they are listed as an emergency contact. Users can also set up their Medical ID, which includes important information such as medical conditions, allergies, and medications.

Activity

The Activity rings experience in Family Setup has been optimized so kids can track Move minutes instead of calories burned, and receive accurate credit from Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Outdoor Cycle workouts specifically tuned for kids. Kids can enjoy Activity Sharing, receive tailored coaching notifications, challenge friends with Competitions, and celebrate Awards they’ve earned right on their wrist. With permission, parents can see a full view of their child’s health and activity through the Health app on iPhone.

Schooltime and Downtime

Schooltime is a mode in Family Setup that helps ensure kids stay focused and attentive while learning. During Schooltime, a distinctive yellow circle is displayed on the watch face for teachers and parents to easily recognize, signifying that access to apps is restricted and Do Not Disturb is turned on. For convenience, parents can set the schedule on their iPhone so Apple Watch automatically goes into Schooltime during certain hours, or turn it on from Control Center on the child’s watch. To support responsible usage of the device, the Downtime feature of Screen Time extends to Apple Watch.

Family Setup for Older Adults

Older adults in the family who do not have their own iPhone can also take advantage of Family Setup through a family member’s iPhone, including to make calls, send messages, and benefit from the important safety features of Apple Watch such as Emergency SOS. Additionally, Calendar, Maps, Siri, Alarms, and the App Store provide greater independence for older adults, without needing their own iPhone.

Privacy

Privacy is a fundamental human right and one of Apple’s core values. Apple believes all personal data including location, communication, fitness, and health should be securely encrypted on devices and in iCloud. Family Setup has been carefully designed to ensure users have control of their personal data.

Availability and Activation
- Family Setup is now available in the UAE with iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4, on cellular models of Apple Watch Series 4 or later, or Apple Watch SE paired with iPhone 8 or later.
- Not all features will be available if Apple Watch is set up through Family Setup. A wireless service plan is required for cellular service, currently available through Etisalat in the UAE.
- Family Setup requires Family Sharing and an Apple ID for the child or older family member.
- Apple Watch supports 14 hours of daily usage with Family Setup.¹
1. Battery life varies by use and configuration.
Press Contacts

Apple Media Helpline

media.ae@apple.com
Copy text
Images in this article

Download all images

Battery life varies by use and configuration.

Press Contacts

Apple Media Helpline

media.ae@apple.com