Why one-time iPhone activation exists
Apple Watch platform provisioning still requires an iPhone for first activation. That activation stage writes baseline account and watchOS pairing state that other workflows depend on.
Once this initial requirement is satisfied, Merge can support practical Android usage without constantly returning to iPhone-first setup.
Recommended activation checklist
Treat this as an activation milestone, not a permanent platform lock-in. Complete the setup carefully once so your later Android experience is smoother.
- Activate Apple Watch on a compatible iPhone one time.
- Install pending watchOS updates before cross-platform pairing.
- Install Merge on watch and Android phone.
- Pair with code and approve Bluetooth + notifications permissions.
- Validate notifications, media controls, and reconnect behavior.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skipping updates or permissions during first setup often causes subtle issues later, like inconsistent notifications or delayed sync refreshes.
If you are unsure whether activation completed properly, re-open watch settings and confirm the watch is fully operational before troubleshooting Merge-specific behavior.
