A:Answer No, but if you want to make phone calls via your watch you do. You could exercise with the watch, listen to music, use the apps on the watch, etc., all without being near the phone. But if you want notifications of phone calls, texts, emails, then you need to be within 33 ft. Of the iPhone. If you buy the LTE version (with built in cellular capability), then you do NOT need to have the phone with you, completely independent.