It requires nothing. No Bluetooth connection. No WiFi. Just the watch and a bit of power in the battery Answer from prog28 on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applewatch › does apple pay require the cellular version? if no, can i leave my phone at home for paying only with gps watch? so with no active bluetooth connection?
r/AppleWatch on Reddit: Does Apple Pay require the Cellular version? If no, can I leave my phone at home for paying only with GPS watch? So with no active Bluetooth connection?
January 28, 2019 - ... You can leave everything at home. I particularly like leaving my bed there; it saves hurting my back carrying it around. ... You can use the non cellular version but the phone needs to be nearby.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › watch › apple-pay-apd76424826d › watchos
Use Apple Pay on Apple Watch
Pair another Apple Watch with your iPhone · Wi-Fi and cellular · Connect to Wi-Fi · Set up and use cellular service · Use Dual SIM · Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone · Turn on and wake Apple Watch · Lock or unlock Apple Watch · Charge and monitor the battery ·
Videos
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 8204935
Does Apple Pay work without data or inter… - Apple Community
There is no internet connection required. ... Well, Apple Pay will work on an Apple Watch Series 2 even if the phone is out of range.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 108300
Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support
When your Apple Watch is disconnected — for example, if you're hiking in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular signal, or your iPhone is off — you can still do these things. ... See the time and use the Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch apps. Track your activity goals.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › watch › make-purchases-with-apple-pay-apdbe9c11bba › watchos
Use Apple Pay for contactless payments on Apple Watch - Apple Support
With your payment cards stored in the Wallet app on Apple Watch, you can use Apple Pay for secure, contactless payments in stores, restaurants, and more.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254025366
Apple Pay on AppleWatch without iPhone - Apple Community
It is written everywhere that it is possible to pay with AppleWatch even if you do not have an iPhone with you.
Digital Trends
digitaltrends.com › home › wearables › mobile › evergreens
What you can (and can't) do on your Apple Watch without your iPhone - Digital Trends
May 6, 2022 - Just make sure you’ve added your cards to your watch before leaving your phone behind. You can use Apple Pay without your phone nearby and without a cellular or wireless connection.
Quora
quora.com › Does-Apple-Pay-on-the-Apple-Watch-work-even-without-an-internet-connection
Does Apple Pay on the Apple Watch work even without an internet connection? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): You need some sort of data connection for the approval of the funds. A cellular Apple Watch will do the job without an iPhone if it has a data connection.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › watch › set-up-apple-pay-apd285b3ae01 › watchos
Set up Apple Pay on Apple Watch - Apple Support
Using Apple Pay can be simpler than using a physical card, and safer too. With your cards stored in the Wallet app, you can use Apple Pay to make secure payments in stores, for transit, and at payment terminals that support Apple Pay. Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 8240488
Apple Watch 3 + cellular and Apple Pay - Apple Community
January 16, 2018 - Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support ... Yes - once it has been set up, Apple Pay can be used on Apple Watch (any model) entirely independently of the paired iPhone, including when the iPhone is not nearby and/or not turned on. Apple Watch also does not need Bluetooth, cellular ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applewatch › using apple pay on apple watch wifi with out cellular service
Using Apple Pay on Apple Watch wifi with out cellular service : r/AppleWatch
January 15, 2023 - All Apple Pay is is creating a virtual card linked to your Apple Card. When you tap your watch, it’s giving those virtual card numbers. It doesn’t need any internet connection at all to hand the numbers over.
MacRumors
forums.macrumors.com › apple wearables › apple watch
Apple Watch purely for ApplePay in store purchases? | MacRumors Forums
February 7, 2025 - However, Apple Pay is an exception to this: Even without a cellular plan, without a Cellular Watch model, or if your iPhone is completely out of range, Watch will still let you pay using Apple Pay.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applewatch › does apple pay work on gps only apple watch without being connected to my iphone?
r/AppleWatch on Reddit: Does Apple Pay work on GPS only Apple Watch without being connected to my iPhone?
March 5, 2022 - Same reason tapping a card works, they have no cell connection either. ... I have a series three, and I can use Apple Pay without my phone with me.I’m being nice with a internet connection.
TechRadar
techradar.com › health & fitness › smartwatches
How to use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch | TechRadar
June 22, 2024 - It's worth noting that Apple Pay works on the Apple Watch, or an iPhone using NFC, which is the system that allows for that tap-to-pay interactivity. This is inert, meaning it won't use power and simply works as your bank card would if you were to use its contactless feature. As such, this should be able to work on most pay terminals that work with contactless. Once setup is complete, your Watch will allow you to pay without the need for your phone or bank card...
Apple
support.apple.com › en-my › guide › watch › apd76424826d › watchos
Use Apple Pay on Apple Watch – Apple Support (MY)
Note: You can’t use Apple Pay, and any cards you added to Wallet are removed, if you unpair your Apple Watch or turn off your passcode.
Macworld
macworld.com › home › apple watch › how-to
Can you use the Apple Watch without an iPhone?
May 14, 2025 - Again, this will require a cellular contract or a Wi-Fi connection. With that in place, you’re free to roam without an expensive and heavy iPhone-shaped bulk in your pocket. See how to use Apple Maps on Apple Watch for all you need to know.
The Mac Observer
macobserver.com › home › how to set up and use apple pay on apple watch: full guide
How to Set Up and Use Apple Pay on Apple Watch: Full Guide
September 3, 2025 - Apple Pay on Apple Watch gives you a secure, private, and contactless way to pay without carrying your phone or physical card. Once set up, you can pay at terminals that accept contactless payments, inside supported apps, and on certain transit ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applewatch › applepay works without phone? thought cell service was needed
r/AppleWatch on Reddit: Applepay works without phone? Thought cell service was needed
September 4, 2024 -
The other day I bought something w/ my watch using tap on a hand-held debit/credit device and then noticed that I had forgotten my phone. My watch doesn't have cell service and there was no wifi.
Curious about how this is working. I recall actually returning home one day last year thinking the watch/phone were a needed combo and that the phone was actually doing the payment using cell service.
Thanks.
// Thanks to all. I was too lazy to Google this and after the replies ... it's a thing. Good to know.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/watch/apd76424826d/watchos#:~:text=Once%20you%20set%20up%20Apple,have%20your%20iPhone%20with%20you.