It's a beautiful day, you are feeling adventurous, and you rush out for a jog with your Apple Watch on your wrist. But wait, where's your iPhone? You are halfway through your run when you realize you forgot it at home. Fear not! This nifty device can still do a lot, even without your iPhone nearby.

You already know how valuable the Apple Watch is— especially when paired with its trusty sidekick, the iPhone. But that does not mean it can't work as a standalone device. This article explores some things your Apple Watch can do without an iPhone.

1. Track Your Workouts

fitness coach training a client

Let's start with the obvious—the potential reason you bought your Apple Watch in the first place—tracking your workouts! Your Apple Watch is like a personal trainer on your wrist, as it helps you track your runs, walks, and swims and also gives you gentle reminders to get moving if it notices you've been inactive for too long.

However, did you know this mini powerhouse can record several important fitness metrics without your iPhone? This is great to know, as taking your phone on a run or gym session is sometimes uncomfortable and distracting. You can rely on your watch to provide vital data like your step count, calories burned, and distance traveled.

2. Play Music, Audiobooks, and Podcasts

What's a good workout without your favorite tunes? You can listen to music from your wrist without an iPhone nearby. If you don't feel like taking your phone with you when you go for a run, you can stream music straight from your Apple Watch.

All you need to do is download songs to your Apple Watch through the Watch app on your iPhone. Once set up, you can connect your wireless earbuds and listen to your downloaded songs, as you can't do that using the watch's speakers. In addition, you can also listen to podcasts and audiobooks from the Podcasts and Audiobooks apps on your Apple Watch.

3. Use Health Features

monitoring heart rate on an Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch is not just a reliable timekeeper; it's a health monitor too. You can use it to check your heart rate, monitor your menstrual cycles and sleep, and measure your blood oxygen levels.

Staying on top of your health is essential, especially when you're away from home. Fortunately, you don't need to bring your iPhone along; the standalone features on your watch will help keep track of your health and wellness, as they don't require a wireless or cellular connection. It can also notify you if it detects an abnormality in your vitals so that you can take the necessary steps.

4. Find People, Devices, and Items

Did you know you could use your Apple Watch to keep track of the people, devices, and items that are important to you?

You can use the Find People app on your Apple Watch to share your location and find the location of your family and friends who use Apple devices, like the iPhone, Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and iPad. Once you and your friends or family members agree to share your locations, you will be able to see each other's locations on a map.

You could do the same for Apple devices or other registered third-party items connected to your Apple ID, which can help you find them using the Find Devices and Find Items apps on your watch if you misplaced them. However, you need a GPS + Cellular Apple Watch to use these features without your iPhone.

5. Keep Track of Appointments, Alarms, and Reminders

Apple Watch screenshots showing Reminders, Calendar, and Alarms apps

If you want a better handle on your schedules and to-do lists, you can rely on the Reminders and Calendar apps on your Apple Watch even when you don't have your iPhone nearby. You can set reminders and alarms, create shopping lists, check your upcoming appointments, and more. It's like having a personal secretary always by your side, or, more accurately, on your wrist, ensuring you stay on track.

Do you want to know the best part? You don't need to struggle to type out the task or appointment details on that tiny screen. You can dictate your reminders and appointments using the watch's built-in microphone or ask Siri. All this information will be available on your other Apple devices linked to your Apple ID.

6. Use Apple Pay

Next time you're out and about and need to pay for something quickly, you don't need to take out your wallet or iPhone; you can just use your Apple Watch. To do that, you must first set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, after which you'll be able to purchase apps, books, and music from the App Store on your watch.

You can also add a card through the Wallet app on your Apple Watch. All you need to do is open the Wallet app, tap on Add Card, and follow the onscreen instructions. Once that's done, you can use your watch to make payments by double-clicking the side button whenever it's near a contactless reader.

7. Use Compatible Third-Party Apps

Apple Watch screenshots showing TickTick, FitOn, and Audible apps

Your Apple Watch isn't limited to its built-in apps; you can also download and use supported third-party apps without your iPhone. You can use the App Store on your watch to browse and find compatible Apple Watch apps that don't need an iPhone nearby.

Whether you're looking for a new way to stay organized, track your fitness, or listen to audiobooks, many Apple Watch apps don't require your iPhone. You can use apps like TickTick, FitOn, or Audible to make the most of your watch. So, don't limit yourself to your watch's built-in features.

8. Make Calls and Send Texts (GPS + Cellular Only)

If you have an Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular capabilities, you can make calls and send texts directly from your wrist, even when you don't have your iPhone. In addition, if your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, you can use your watch to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead.

To make a phone call using your Apple Watch, you can either use the Phone app or ask Siri to call a contact. Likewise, you can also use the Messages app or ask Siri to send a text when you don't have your iPhone nearby.

Your Apple Watch Can Do a Lot on Its Own

Although Apple touts the Apple Watch as a companion device, you can use it as a standalone device, as it helps you stay active, organized, connected, and entertained without relying on a connection to your iPhone.

So, whether you're looking for a better way to keep track of your activities, stay in touch with friends and family, or just have some entertainment, Apple Watch lets you do that from your wrist.