The Apple Watch offers functionality, elegance, and portability in one of Apple’s most popular and innovative products. But users of the classic Apple iPod are facing some frustrations when they try to pair their devices with the Apple Watch.
Unfortunately, the Apple Watch, which was designed as a companion device to the iPhone, is not compatible with any generation of iPod. Nonetheless, the Apple Watch shares many of the same features as the iPod and can therefore serve as a replacement device in most cases.
Although the latest iPod came out relatively recently, it isn’t compatible with the Apple Watch. The good news is that the Apple Watch can basically replace your old iPod, since it can stream and control your music, even without an internet connection. Read on for everything you need to know about Apple Watch and iPod compatibility (or the lack of it).
Is Apple Watch Compatible With an iPod?
Unfortunately, the Apple Watch (on Amazon) is not compatible with any generation of iPod. The Apple Watch was explicitly designed as a companion device to the iPhone, not the iPod.
The iPod also lacks the pairing app necessary to connect to the Apple Watch, making it impossible to sync the two devices.
Why Can Apple Watch Pair with iPhones but Not iPods?
You may be wondering why your Apple Watch can pair with your iPhone but not your iPod. The Apple Watch cannot pair with an iPod because the iPod doesn’t support the Apple Watch app.
The Apple Watch needs a particular app to pair, sync, and function correctly. This app is only available on the iPhone.
Additionally, the Apple Watch was designed as a companion device to the iPhone. For this reason, Apple Watch lacks pairing features for Apple’s other popular devices, such as the MacBook or the iPad.
Can Your Apple Watch Act as an iPod?
Technically speaking, you can basically use your Apple Watch as an iPod. The Apple Watch has more or less the same capabilities as an iPod.
The Apple Watch can store and play music, stream music apps, and control the music from your iPhone, making it quite similar to the classic iPod.
Can Your Apple Watch Act as an iPod Without LTE?
You may be wondering what an Apple Watch can do without an internet connection or companion device. Fortunately, the Apple Watch can do quite a lot without an internet connection or your iPhone.
You can download music to your Apple Watch while you have access to WiFi or a stable internet connection. From there, you can use your newly stored music without cell service by connecting your watch to a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
The downloaded music will play even if you aren’t in range of cell service or an internet connection, effectively acting like an older generation iPod.
If you’re looking for a pair of Bluetooth headphones to use with your Apple Watch, we’ve got you covered. The Apple AirPods (on Amazon) are a perfect match for your watch, but if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, try the EarFun Free Pro 4 Earbuds (on Amazon), which come in under $50.
What Can You Do With an Apple Watch and a Stable Internet Connection?
If your Apple Watch does have a stable internet connection but isn’t connected to your iPhone, you can still utilize a handful of useful features:
- Siri
- Voice-over-IP calls
- iMessage
- Internet-based audio apps
- Any apps that require an internet connection
What Can Your Apple Watch Do Without an iPhone?
To use your Apple Watch as a stand alone device without LTE, you’ll need a model with the GPS and cellular connectivity feature. From there, you’ll have the option to approve phone calls, receive text messages, and stream music without using your smartphone.
However, using your Apple Watch in this way can use up your battery pretty quickly, so it isn’t recommended for long-term use.
When you aren’t connected to a companion device or the internet, your Apple Watch can:
- Track and monitor your steps
- Measure your heart rate
- Analyze, track, and monitor your sleep
- Give you calorie burn estimates for select activities
- Monitor your heart rate with an electrical heart sensor and ECG app (Apple Watch Series 3 and later)
- Play music (the Apple Watch can save up to 2 GB or more of songs that you can play via Bluetooth headphones)
- Use Apple Pay and Passport
- Set the timer or alarm
- Use the stopwatch
- Connect to the internet without the iPhone as long as you’ve connected to the WiFi network previously, when you had both your iPhone and Apple Watch with you
Will the Apple Watch Ever Work with iPods?
As mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch was designed only as a companion device to the iPhone. Despite being capable of functioning without an iPhone present, the Apple Watch is essentially meant to be an accessory to Apple’s flagship phone.
The Apple Watch was never meant to be paired with iPods and, because it has some of the same features, it should serve as a suitable replacement to the iPod.
Unfortunately, it therefore seems unlikely that the Apple Watch will one day be compatible with any generation of iPod.