Unless you have been living in a cave, you may already know what is a smartwatch.
It is a type of wearable device that is designed to be worn on your wrist, just like a regular wristwatch.
In fact, smartwatches have become one of the most popular types of wearable technology in recent years.
Since their arrival, smartwatches have disrupted the electronics consumer market by storm.
Today, there are many benefits of having a smartwatch such as fitness tracking, mobile payments, offline music, and more. But in my opinion, texting is one of the best benefits of a smartwatch.
As you may already know, text messaging is already an integral part of modern communication for most of us. And the idea of being able to do it from your wrist certainly seems appealing.
But, can you text on a smartwatch?
It is possible to compose and send text messages, view incoming texts, and send custom replies directly from your smartwatch.
In this post, I have explained how to text on a smartwatch and shared the benefits, limitations, and tips for texting on a smartwatch.
Are you ready to learn? Let’s dive in!
Can You Text on a Smartwatch Without a Phone?
You can definitely text on a smartwatch without a phone as long as it is either connected to Wi-Fi or have built-in cellular connectivity to function independently.
However, if you buy a Smartwatch with built-in cellular connectivity, you may have to purchase a separate data plan for it.
How to Text on a Smartwatch?
Smartwatches allow sending text messages in five different ways.
However, the method you can use to send text messages will depend on the texting features available on your specific device.
Here are the five different methods for texting on a smartwatch.
1 – Pre-written Text Messages
The majority of smartwatch models come with a pre-written text messages feature.
Using this feature, users can reply to text messages with “Yes”, “No”, “I’m Busy”, “Thanks”, and so on.
Furthermore, users can also create their own customized pre-written text messages, which can be used for responding to incoming text messages quickly and without having to type out the full response message.
2 – Voice-to-Text
Some models of smartwatches are equipped with the ability to compose text messages using your voice.
This is a more convenient option for those who are on the go and cannot type out a message.
3 – Handwriting Recognition
A few smartwatches have a built-in handwriting recognition feature that allows users to write text messages using their fingers on the screen.
After the user types the text message, the smartwatch then converts the handwriting gestures into text and sends the message to the recipient.
4 – Swipe Typing
The swipe typing method on a smartwatch is the same as it is on your smartphone.
To use this feature, you simply have to swipe your finger across the keyboard letters on the smartwatch’s screen to type out words.
Based on the swiping gesture you give, the smartwatch will automatically predict what are you trying to type from the letters you’ve swiped on the watch’s screen.
5 – Full Keyboard
Similar to smartphones, a few high-end smartwatches have a full keyboard feature that you can use for typing out text messages directly on the watch display.
While this option is not common in most smartwatches as it can be quite difficult to type out text messages on a small screen size.
Benefits of Texting on a Smartwatch
There are several benefits of texting on a smartwatch over a smartphone.
I have quickly described the top five benefits of texting on a smartwatch below.
- Stay Connected on the Move
Texting on a smartwatch is a great way to stay connected with your family and friends.
The best part is, you can send text messages to anyone even when you’re driving.
Unlike a smartphone, which you need to take out, unlock, and type out your message, a smartwatch allows you to send either pre-written messages or use voice to text feature to quickly compose and send your messages.
- Increased Productivity
As you previously learned, smartwatches allow us to respond to incoming text messages quicker than retrieving your smartphone from your purse or pocket.
This can save you time and increase your overall productivity when you’re working and need to respond to a certain incoming message.
- Privacy
Compared to a smartphone, a smartwatch offers more discreet communication as it is difficult to read and comprehend text messages on the watch’s screen from distance.
This, in turn, gives you more privacy when you need to send or respond to incoming text messages, especially when you’re in a crowded place like a car or restaurant.
- Convenience
On a smartwatch, it is more convenient to read and respond to text messages than your smartphone because you don’t have to take it out of your pocket or bag.
Instead, you just have to lift up your wrist and your smartwatch will display the latest incoming text message you have received on your smartphone.
- Hands-Free Experience
Another great benefit of texting on a smartwatch is that it gives a completely hands-free experience.
For example, when you receive an incoming text message notification while driving, you can simply glance at your smartwatch to read the content of the text message without having to tap on it.
Not only is this better but also safer when you’re on the road.
Limitations of Texting on a Smartwatch
Just as there are various benefits of texting on a smartwatch, there are several limitations to keep in mind as well.
- Limited Functionality — Compared to a smartphone, smartwatches don’t have all features and capabilities that a smartphone has. This, in turn, can limit the functionality of texting on a smartwatch. For example, most smartwatches don’t support sending voice notes via text messaging apps.
- Battery Life — Given the size, smartwatches often have limited battery life. So if you use your smartwatch for frequent texting, you may have to recharge your smartwatch battery multiple times a day.
- Screen Size — Apart from limited battery life, smartwatches have a small screen size, which can make it difficult to read long text messages. The same goes for typing out long responses as well.
- Distractions — Texting on a smartwatch is definitely more convenient compared to texting on a smartphone. However, it can be equally distracting if you tend to receive a lot of text messages on a daily basis.
- Compatibility — Most smartwatches are not compatible with all smartphones. For example, Apple Watch is not compatible with Android smartphones. Similarly, Android smartwatches are not compatible with Apple smartphones. So, if you’re planning to buy a smartwatch, make sure to check the compatibility of your smartphone device before investing in a smartwatch.
Tips for Composing and Sending Texts on a Smartwatch
Based on the benefits and limitations we have learned so far, one thing is for sure — texting on a smartwatch can be both a blessing and a curse.
But if you’re going to compose and send text messages on your smartwatch, I have a couple of tips for you to make it a stressful enjoyable experience.
Keep it Short
Since smartwatches have small screen sizes, it’s best to keep your response to incoming text messages short and to the point.
Ideally, limit yourself to writing one or two sentences max when responding to a text message on your smartwatch to have an enjoyable experience.
Take your Time
When texting on a smartwatch, take your time and avoid rushing in typing out your message. Due to the small screen size, it’s likely to make mistakes when texting on a smartwatch.
This is why it’s best to take a few extra seconds for typing your message and review it carefully before tapping on the “Send” button on your smartwatch screen.
Avoid Abbreviations
Using abbreviations when texting with someone can most certainly save a lot of time, especially when you’re typing your response on a smartwatch.
But, it is recommended to avoid using abbreviations unless you’re absolutely sure that the recipient will understand what you’re trying to say.
Be Mindful
When composing text messages on a smartwatch, make sure to be mindful of your surroundings.
If you’re driving or in other such situations, you should absolutely avoid texting on a smartwatch as it can be both distracting and dangerous.
Manage Notifications
As I said before, texting on a smartwatch can be a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, smartwatches can be more prone to distractions if you receive a high volume of text messages on a daily basis.
This is why it’s best to manage text message notifications on your smartwatch to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
To do this, you can either turn off notifications for all incoming text messages, or you can simply allow incoming text messages only from certain people to get notifications alerts on your smartwatch.
Conclusion
Smartwatches have come a long way since their inception and have evolved to offer many features that were once exclusive to smartphones.
With the ability to track fitness, play music, and even send text messages without a phone, smartwatches have most certainly become an integral part of our daily lives.
So if you’re planning to buy a smartwatch but are not sure if you can send text messages, you most certainly can.
A smartwatch may look like a small device, but they hold great features that can make our everyday lives a lot easier.