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Is AT&T Numbersync available on the Gear S2 3G yet? If so, please share your experience using it.
Numbersync is not yet available on AT&T. Anticipated release was late Dec or early Jan. For now it's simply call forwarding.
SicEm06 said:
Numbersync is not yet available on AT&T. Anticipated release was late Dec or early Jan. For now it's simply call forwarding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought. I bought my Gear S2 3G at the AT&T store, and they told me Numbersync was already released. It took me a few days to figure out my outgoing watch phone number was changing when the Gear S2 became unpaired from the phone. At first I thought it was because HD Voice wasn't actived on my account, but now I understand that the whole feature hasn't even been implemented. The AT&T employees are clueless.
number sync from att is now working on my Gear s2.
Did you have to download some type of update? Update from the Gear Manager app or something else?
Update the Gear App on your AT&T phone, and you'll see an update for the watch.
I updated mine today. It's not a big update and only took a few minutes to download on broadband.
Afterwards, you have to agree to allow AT&T to store your messages on their server for 90 days, via a checkbox screen that your phone is directed to. After agreeing to that, a code is sent to your watch and you enter the code on your phone.
That installs the update to the watch, it'll reboot, think about things for awhile and then come back up with a new welcome message.
Others who have completed the upgrade have reported rapid battery drain afterwards (over on Android Central): http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-gear-s2/610948-t-gear-s2-3g-number-sync-2.html
I seem to be in that camp myself.
HTH,
crp
Zagzagel said:
Is AT&T Numbersync available on the Gear S2 3G yet? If so, please share your experience using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated mine last night...have not been able to receive any texts or calls on my watch since. Brought it to AT&T to look at, they just exchanged it for a new watch. Was not able to set it up while I was there because it was not registering on the AT&T network yet...told me to give it about an hour. Still not connected yet, will keep you posted.
UPDATE: I did a "Light Reset" on my phone and followed the NumberSync instructions when prompted...as of now it all seems to be working correctly. I'm receiving all of my calls and texts on my watch. When I create a text or make a phone call from my watch (via remote connection, not bluetooth), it is showing my primary number instead of the watch's number.
After the update, no text msgs were being sent to the watch while paired to the phone (s5 active). Calls were being sent though. I ended up doing all sorts of things and I think it's working now.
1) disable numbersync on the at&t website
2) remove numbersync on the at&t website
3) light reset on the phone, skip numbersync setup
4) disable Messages in the notifications list, select Done. Then enable messages, select Done.
turn off/on the phone and watch numerous times. at one point only some txt msgs were being sent to the watch (like 1 out of 5)...now all seems to be sent to the watch.
everything seems to be working now that numbersync is completely removed from the at&t website
---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------
hlanclos said:
I updated mine last night...have not been able to receive any texts or calls on my watch since. Brought it to AT&T to look at, they just exchanged it for a new watch. Was not able to set it up while I was there because it was not registering on the AT&T network yet...told me to give it about an hour. Still not connected yet, will keep you posted.
UPDATE: I did a "Light Reset" on my phone and followed the NumberSync instructions when prompted...as of now it all seems to be working correctly. I'm receiving all of my calls and texts on my watch. When I create a text or make a phone call from my watch (via remote connection, not bluetooth), it is showing my primary number instead of the watch's number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool, good to see that a light reset on the watch+ enable numbersync seems to work. I may try enabling numbersync at a later time.
Hi,
I'm interesting to buy the new gear s3 frontier Bluetooth version and I have few questions:
1. I saw that gear s2 don't let you make calls on the watch (I mean you can talk to the watch like in the movies), also send messages through the watch like for example Huawei watch let you.
Is the gear s3 is capable to do that?
2. I'm using OnePlus 3 and I saw that this phone is not on the list of supported phones Samsung posted, but online people said that the gear s2 working fine with the OnePlus 3, if making calls and messages is available in the gear s3 can I do this with my OnePlus 3 ?
3. Because this is Tizen OS and there is no play store, Galaxy apps have apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Google now etc?
Thanks a lot
Adigal said:
Hi,
I'm interesting to buy the new gear s3 frontier Bluetooth version and I have few questions:
1. I saw that gear s2 don't let you make calls on the watch (I mean you can talk to the watch like in the movies), also send messages through the watch like for example Huawei watch let you.
Is the gear s3 is capable to do that?
2. I'm using OnePlus 3 and I saw that this phone is not on the list of supported phones Samsung posted, but online people said that the gear s2 working fine with the OnePlus 3, if making calls and messages is available in the gear s3 can I do this with my OnePlus 3 ?
3. Because this is Tizen OS and there is no play store, Galaxy apps have apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Google now etc?
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi yes you can make calls, write and send messages straight from the watch without the need to use your phone.
Gregbusa said:
Hi yes you can make calls, write and send messages straight from the watch without the need to use your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, this with the OnePlus 3 too?
And about the galaxy apps?
And what is the limitations with different phone and not Galaxy?
Someone ? Please ?
Sorry I use a galaxy s6 at the moment so I'm unsure about the phone your asking about. whatsapp works through my watch which was installed using play store. I dont think it matters where the message apps are installed from as all notifications from the phone are managed through the phone in the gear app.
Is anyone able to make calls on the watch with a non-Samsung Phone?
Doesn't work on the LG V20.
--EDIT working after restart
klau1 said:
Is anyone able to make calls on the watch with a non-Samsung Phone?
Doesn't work on the LG V20.
--EDIT working after restart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, The gear S3 is compatible with any Android phone with at least Android 4.4 AND 1.5 G Ram... If your phone does not meet these specifications then the Gear App will not be available from the google play store.
I can't answer calls with my watch. I have the LTE version and using Bluetooth only. When I get a call, I try to answer it with my watch but my watch says to check my phone but nothing shows up on my phone. I can decline a calls but not answer them. Any ideas?
Edit...I'm using a Nexus 6p
yesnikki said:
Apparently, The gear S3 is compatible with any Android phone with at least Android 4.4 AND 1.5 G Ram... If your phone does not meet these specifications then the Gear App will not be available from the google play store.
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Click to collapse
Apparently, The gear S3 is compatible with any Android phone with at least Android 4.4 AND 1.5 G Ram... If your phone does not meet these specifications then the Gear App will not be available from the google play store.
Not true, Gear is working on my Samsung Galaxy S3 is running Android 4.3.
jb.traveller said:
Apparently, The gear S3 is compatible with any Android phone with at least Android 4.4 AND 1.5 G Ram... If your phone does not meet these specifications then the Gear App will not be available from the google play store.
Not true, Gear is working on my Samsung Galaxy S3 is running Android 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My answer was to a question regarding NON-samsung phones... and I was just saying what I had read... maybe I should have said... Allegedly and not Apparently.. in my original quote.
You can always learn from others who have the device.
Make and receive call doesn't work for me (sending sms work good). Phone Xioami redmi 3 Pro, Cyagenmod 13 (Android 6.0), Samsung gear s3.
What are the problem?
It doesn't work on my Moto G4 either running Marshmallow. It just says check phone.
Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk
Tel864 said:
It doesn't work on my Moto G4 either running Marshmallow. It just says check phone.
Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is hit or miss. Sometimes when I click reply, it will ask me to check the phone. Sometimes I can reply. This is with almost all messaging apps that I have (whatsapp, viber, hangouts) I have a nexus 6p with MM.
However, I noticed that the reply works better if the messages are shorter. In other words, if you get a message that is short, the reply button is already visible and you can just hit it while looking at the whole message on the watch.
When you have longer messages that would require you to scroll down on the watch before seeing the "reply" button - it will ask me check the phone.
Again, all scenarios are hit or miss but the reply on watch works better with short messages. I was able to reply on watch with longer messages too but rarely.
Just my observation - Also I have seen this behavior in two different Gear S3s (different phone/accounts)
I can't speak about the Gear Classic or BT only Frontier. But the Frontier LTE is absolutely capable of making and receiving calls and texts when paired with any phone or no phone at all.
It is also possible to handle email and other notifications when connected to a non Samsung phone. But the process isn't particularly elegant.
The Tizen app library isn't extensive. But the number of tasks that can be efficiently performed on a 1 inch screen is fairly limited also. Still, if that's important to you, LG's upcoming Android Wear watch is worth consideration.
I've owned my S3 for a couple of months. It's my primary phone, I no longer carry a smartphone. It handles my calls and texts, filters email, provides time/date/weather, runs a few convenience apps (ie. calendar, timer, calculator, reminders). The watch is remotely connected to an LG smartphone (with no SIM) that never leaves the house.
Without doubt, the Gear S3 is the most capable, feature laden watch on the market. But that is subject to change on February 10th.
My S3 Bluetooth-only can process calls and text messaging fine with the Pixels.
quangtran1 said:
My S3 Bluetooth-only can process calls and text messaging fine with the Pixels.
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Click to collapse
Are you using hangouts as your default SMS app? Because for me, I can send NEW messages without an issue but when I receive one, sometimes I can reply on the watch itself but most of time (like 90%) it asks me to check my phone (again REPLY) which is super annoying.
warpgatex said:
Are you using hangouts as your default SMS app? Because for me, I can send NEW messages without an issue but when I receive one, sometimes I can reply on the watch itself but most of time (like 90%) it asks me to check my phone (again REPLY) which is super annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Verizon Message Plus on the Pixel, and the default Message app on the S3.
warpgatex said:
Are you using hangouts as your default SMS app? Because for me, I can send NEW messages without an issue but when I receive one, sometimes I can reply on the watch itself but most of time (like 90%) it asks me to check my phone (again REPLY) which is super annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I am a Google Voice user, I use Hangouts exclusively. After installing the Android Wear app, I receive and can reply to all Hangouts messages but I cannot initiate one. Furthermore, text and emoji work, but not MMS. I too wish Tizen handled Android notifications better.
afblangley said:
Since I am a Google Voice user, I use Hangouts exclusively. After installing the Android Wear app, I receive and can reply to all Hangouts messages but I cannot initiate one. Furthermore, text and emoji work, but not MMS. I too wish Tizen handled Android notifications better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol .. Im exactly the opposite. I can only initiate text but cant reply.
Im a project fi user.
OK, so I know the iPhone is not fully supported as of yet with the Gear S3. I do however have the Gear S3 app that was leaked online for the iPhone and it is working okay for the time being. my trouble is getting numbersync working via sms. After many hours of troubleshooting and resets I was able to get numbersync working with AT&T on my Gear S3. To do so I had to disable iMessage on my iPhone, wait about 20 mins for servers to catch up. Reset my Gear S3 and set it up in stand alone mode and enable number sync. I was then able to make calls and text from the same number as my iPhone. the problem was I had no contacts for it was not sync'd with my phone. Next step is to perform a soft reset by selecting "connect to a phone". After the soft reset I paired the Gear S3 with my iPhone using the Gear S3 app. The problem is after doing so, this break the sms (text messaging) portion of nymbersync. I can still make calls with the same number as my iPhone and receive them but the SMS defaults back to the independent number associated with the watch. I can still get notifications of texts being sent to my phone but can not even reply via Bluetooth. Also after pairing my phone I logged into my AT&T account tried turning off numbersync and re-enabling it with no luck. So it appears syncing my iPhone with the watch somehow disables numbersync via SMS. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this and any workaround ideas I have not thought of yet? your input is appreciated.
I don't have an answer for you but will be following this thread as I'm interested in getting the S3 LTE for use with my iPhone if you get everything resolved. One question... are you able to access the Gear/Galaxy App Store via your watch or the iPhone? Thanks and good luck!
TScottTX said:
I don't have an answer for you but will be following this thread as I'm interested in getting the S3 LTE for use with my iPhone if you get everything resolved. One question... are you able to access the Gear/Galaxy App Store via your watch or the iPhone? Thanks and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was able to assess the Gear App store via the iPhone, you have to install the Gear S3 beta app first. It would not let me post the link for you since I am a new member but a quick google search and you should be able to find it pretty easy.
Great thread and thanks for posting. I spent countless hours on the phone with att tech support trying to get numbersync to work. I'm really happy to see your post. I just turned iMessage off in an effort to see if I can get numbersync working.
My interactions with att went as far as them telling me that it will not work due to cross platform limitations. I'll keep you posted but this really interests me
Excellent Post! Been waiting to hear progress in this very frustrating dilemma. Please keep us posted on, if any, updates.....strong work and much appreciated!
iPhone Number Sync
I am interested in resolution on this as well. Any progress or update
hbelton said:
I am interested in resolution on this as well. Any progress or update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I basically followed the steps listed in the thread. I ran into an brick wall once I got to the point of entering the code from the watch on the site to activate sync. The problem is the site asks for a 5-digit code while the code provided by the S3 is a 6-digit code. This stopped me dead as am unable to match the code. Thoughts?
NO Numbersync with S3 Frontier and Iphone
I confimed with ATT advnaced tech support today. No numbersync between Gear s3 Frontier and iphone. Fail.
hbelton said:
I basically followed the steps listed in the thread. I ran into an brick wall once I got to the point of entering the code from the watch on the site to activate sync. The problem is the site asks for a 5-digit code while the code provided by the S3 is a 6-digit code. This stopped me dead as am unable to match the code. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Numbersync set up with AT&T on the S3. Followed these steps:
- Close Gear S app
- Delete Bluetooth profiles for the Gear S3
- Turn Bluetooth off on iPhone
- Do a hard reset on S3
- When watch restarts and tells you to download Gear S app scroll up until to see option to set up as 'standalone'
- go to settings/communications/AT&T Numbersync
- at some point it will ask you to enter 4 digit code - pick an easy to remember one.
- Numbersync will give to a five digit code
- sign into your AT&T account on myAT&T app or desktop att.com
- choose your iPhone from your account devices
- goto settings and features, Choose Numbersync and follow prompts
-once setup you can pair the watch to Gear S app. Turn Bluetooth back on to do so.
- Swipe down on watch and you will see Numbersync on/off icon, it will not show in the settings/communications tab of the watch.
I'm able to make and receive calls when watch is not in Bluetooth range - watch uses synced phone number. Text messages can be received or sent BUT will use watches phone number. A text sent to you iPhone number will not be received.
Gosh, that was long winded, hope I didn't forget anything. Hopefully a gear a update will work better with. Numbersync AND - my pet peeve right now: GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD A PAID APP
TScottTX said:
I have Numbersync set up with AT&T on the S3. Followed these steps:
- Close Gear S app
- Delete Bluetooth profiles for the Gear S3
- Turn Bluetooth off on iPhone
- Do a hard reset on S3
- When watch restarts and tells you to download Gear S app scroll up until to see option to set up as 'standalone'
- go to settings/communications/AT&T Numbersync
- at some point it will ask you to enter 4 digit code - pick an easy to remember one.
- Numbersync will give to a five digit code
- sign into your AT&T account on myAT&T app or desktop att.com
- choose your iPhone from your account devices
- goto settings and features, Choose Numbersync and follow prompts
-once setup you can pair the watch to Gear S app. Turn Bluetooth back on to do so.
- Swipe down on watch and you will see Numbersync on/off icon, it will not show in the settings/communications tab of the watch.
I'm able to make and receive calls when watch is not in Bluetooth range - watch uses synced phone number. Text messages can be received or sent BUT will use watches phone number. A text sent to you iPhone number will not be received.
Gosh, that was long winded, hope I didn't forget anything. Hopefully a gear a update will work better with. Numbersync AND - my pet peeve right now: GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD A PAID APP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did not work for me. After setting up number sync I was not able to reconnect with the iPhone Gear S app. Bluetooth settings only show 1 instance of Gear S3, not 2 like before. So now I have number sync but I can't connect with the watch. I rebooted the watch to no avail.
---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
ryan141 said:
This did not work for me. After setting up number sync I was not able to reconnect with the iPhone Gear S app. Bluetooth settings only show 1 instance of Gear S3, not 2 like before. So now I have number sync but I can't connect with the watch. I rebooted the watch to no avail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I seem to have gotten it working...
I had to swipe down from the top and touch the number sync icon and turn that off.
Then I went into settings -> connect with phone and the watch rebooted
Then I had to go into the iPhone app and select connect with new gear
The watch and iPhone connected, and I was able to swipe down on the watch face and turn number sync back on.
TScottTX said:
I have Numbersync set up with AT&T on the S3. Followed these steps:
- Close Gear S app
- Delete Bluetooth profiles for the Gear S3
- Turn Bluetooth off on iPhone
- Do a hard reset on S3
- When watch restarts and tells you to download Gear S app scroll up until to see option to set up as 'standalone'
- go to settings/communications/AT&T Numbersync
- at some point it will ask you to enter 4 digit code - pick an easy to remember one.
- Numbersync will give to a five digit code
- sign into your AT&T account on myAT&T app or desktop att.com
- choose your iPhone from your account devices
- goto settings and features, Choose Numbersync and follow prompts
-once setup you can pair the watch to Gear S app. Turn Bluetooth back on to do so.
- Swipe down on watch and you will see Numbersync on/off icon, it will not show in the settings/communications tab of the watch.
I'm able to make and receive calls when watch is not in Bluetooth range - watch uses synced phone number. Text messages can be received or sent BUT will use watches phone number. A text sent to you iPhone number will not be received.
Gosh, that was long winded, hope I didn't forget anything. Hopefully a gear a update will work better with. Numbersync AND - my pet peeve right now: GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD A PAID APP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still no joy. There were some differences with my attempt:
1. I get no option to setup standalone from swiping up. Getting past the first screen on the watch is hit or miss.
2. settings/CONNECTIONS/AT&T Numbersync
3. When I choose Numbersysc, the watch insists on connecting via Bluetooth and and will not go on
4. ATT site asks for a 5 digit code but you say to enter 4
Not sure what I'm missing here. Watch is running SW Version R765AUCU1APJ8 but my prompts and results are not the same as yours
hbelton said:
Still no joy. There were some differences with my attempt:
1. I get no option to setup standalone from swiping up. Getting past the first screen on the watch is hit or miss.
2. settings/CONNECTIONS/AT&T Numbersync
3. When I choose Numbersysc, the watch insists on connecting via Bluetooth and and will not go on
4. ATT site asks for a 5 digit code but you say to enter 4
Not sure what I'm missing here. Watch is running SW Version R765AUCU1APJ8 but my prompts and results are not the same as yours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I also have the SW version you reference
2) Your watch can not be connected via bluetooth nor have the Gear S app running on the iPhone.
3) You have to setup as a standalone - make sure you have done a hard reset first and keep trying at the opening screen of the watch by scrolling down until you find that option.
4) I'm not sure what the four digit code is for but I created one and was asked for it later when I reconnected the watch to the Gear S app on the iPhone. When you get through the numbersync setup on the watch you will be giving a 5 digit code that has to be entered on the AT&T site.
TScottTX said:
1) I also have the SW version you reference
2) Your watch can not be connected via bluetooth nor have the Gear S app running on the iPhone.
3) You have to setup as a standalone - make sure you have done a hard reset first and keep trying at the opening screen of the watch by scrolling down until you find that option.
4) I'm not sure what the four digit code is for but I created one and was asked for it later when I reconnected the watch to the Gear S app on the iPhone. When you get through the numbersync setup on the watch you will be giving a 5 digit code that has to be entered on the AT&T site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. That's a relief.
2. Was not connected, Bluetooth was off on the phone
3. Did hard reset but there is nothing to scroll down to; nothing above the one that prompts to install the Gear app. I did finally get off the initial screen and into standalone mode
4. The instructions say to enter 4 digit code on the watch but never got prompted for one. When I select "Setup ATT Numbersync" the watch wants to connect to phone via Bluetooth and won't allow past screen even though it off on the phone
Let me see if I can shed some light on the directions as the OP left a little room for interpretation.
- Close Gear S app on the iPhone
- On the iPhone, delete Bluetooth profiles for the Gear S3
- On the iPhone, turn Bluetooth off (not sure why this would matter but I did it anyway)
- Do a hard reset on S3
- When watch restarts and tells you to download Gear S app scroll down until to see a question mark, click the question mark and it should let you set the watch up in stand alone mode
- Once the watch finishes booting up, go to settings/communications/AT&T Numbersync
- at some point it will ask you to enter 4 digit code - (this is a lock code for the watch, has nothing to do with number sync) pick an easy to remember one.
- Numbersync will give to a five digit code
- sign into your AT&T account on myAT&T app or desktop att.com (I think an actual link was displayed on the watch , something like https://att.com/myns)
- choose your iPhone from your account devices (I didn't have to chose my iPhone)
- goto settings and features, Choose Numbersync and follow prompts (I just followed the prompts at https://att.com/myns)
-once setup you can pair the watch to Gear S app. Turn Bluetooth back on to do so. (When I turned bluetooth back on both in the watch and the iPhone I was only able to see 1 device to connect with, not 2)
- Swipe down on watch and you will see Numbersync on/off icon, it will not show in the settings/communications tab of the watch. (I touched the number sync icon and turned it off, not deactivate)
-Once I did this, I went into the settings menu on the watch and I saw an option to connect to a phone, The watch rebooted and on the iPhone I had to go into the app and select connect to a new gear. I was able to pair them both and the number sync icon was still in the swipe down menu on the watch. I re-enabled number sync and now I get notifications from the watch, and when I am away from my phone I get calls and texts on the watch. Also I seem to be getting texts on the watch and iMessages on the phone.
Thanks Ryan141! I was going by memory which, is not always a good thing for me to do
TScottTX said:
Thanks Ryan141! I was going by memory which, is not always a good thing for me to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that easy for me anymore either!!
Glad I could add to the discussion.
Got it! The question mark was the key and what I was missing. Thanks all?
Update...
So after using the watch in this fashion for a few days I find that when I get a phone call my gear S3 will vibrate uncontrollably even though I may have answered the call on my iPhone or rejected the call on the watch. I have had to reboot the watch twice now to make it stop, and a few times it stopped after the phone call was completed.
ryan141 said:
Update...
So after using the watch in this fashion for a few days I find that when I get a phone call my gear S3 will vibrate uncontrollably even though I may have answered the call on my iPhone or rejected the call on the watch. I have had to reboot the watch twice now to make it stop, and a few times it stopped after the phone call was completed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's happened to me too, on several occasions. I haven't been able to ascertain what precipitates it. But it's not related to NumberSync or an iPhone because I don't use them.
Hello all and thank you for the great posts, i was able to make my Gear 3 work with my iPhone 7 but when the watch is away from the phone i do not receive texts. Any thoughts?
Hi Guys, downloaded chat hub and whats history for my gear s3 frontier and both are not receiving any notifications. I have installed both apps on my Galaxy s7 and gear s3 and the app on my watch just seems to be showing mesaage "App is waiting for incoming notifications" even though there are new messages on my phone., pressing reset makes no difference. Surely I am not the only one with this problem, my devices couldn't be more compatible. Bit dissappointed with the difficulty and awkwardness of the gear s3 frontier. This stuff should be standard at this point in technology with the two devices!
Current Setup: I bought a S3 Frontier LTE for my 13 year old son as a standalone device and it works perfect! I am only paying about $13 for his independent number on a sub-account with Verizon.
Question: I gave him my old S5 with no service to pair and install Gear Wear to add apps, watch faces, etc. When paired, his watch does not receive texts or emails so he can't leave it paired with the phone. Is there a way "around" that so he can keep them paired? He would like to receive Instagram notifications, etc. on his watch which he can't get when it isn't paired.
Thanks!
Phone has no service, so it wouldn't receive SMS and wouldn't send a notification to the watch. If he's set the phone up for emails it should send notifications to the watch when in a wifi zone.
Notifications need to be set up on the phone app.
I would think if you set the watch for mobile network to be always on it should be able to be connected to both a phone using bluetooth and its standalone number via mobile network. I think that will make it behave as you want it too.
However big drawback is going to be terrible battery life if you do that.
I would suggest trying to download the verizon messenger app on the phone and seeing if you can get the messages from the gear to sync to that, if I remember correctly it just requires a verification text which you should be able to from the watch. If that works you can enable notifications for that app on the watch, but he won't be able to send messages from it he'd have to use the phone or unpair/turn off bluetooth to do it from the watch (he would get the notification on the watch and maybe be able to read the message in the notification I'm not sure how it would behave). As the previous poster said set up the email on the phone and it will sync to the watch over bluetooth. All that will only work (assuming it does) when that phone is connected to wifi and paired with the watch.
I hope it helps let me know.