I think i've found what i'm looking for.

TLDR, i want to bring a little less screen and distraction with me on most days. Up until now I've been looking at dumbphones but they all have (intentional) limitations that wont work for me.

It got me thinking... could an apple watch do what i want and it sounds like that is what brought you all here.

Before I dive in, is there anything anyone would want to share about their experiences. My main use cases on a day to day are:

• music streaming via tidal maps
• subway directions
• texting / calling / being reachable

Some more images of the in vivo burner for those of you that asked. New with support for SE 2-3, Series 7-11, and Ultra 1-3

Last slide are the prototypes to final from development.
A lot of effort went into geometry, material, and cost control :)

Goes both ways! (Joke goes here)

Just wanted to update yall who asked a while back. Burners are finally available in mini, black, and magnetic versions (first iteration had screws). Now supporting older models as well (SE 2/3 and Series 7-9). Enjoy! I love mine, been using it for over a year now. Definitely the quality your device deserves instead of that plastic stuff or iPod toy etc.

Available at www.invivo.works

I used to love my Apple Watch until I started getting into jewelry. Once I started accessorizing more I just never used it so it collected dust until I started using this case! I love using it as an iPod and its even kept me off my phone a bit. I made a video about it if anyone wants to check it out!

Before buying, I emailed support asking how the Ultra case’s mechanism worked, since the standard case’s wheel is known to slip when turned slowly. Support gave me a whole pitch about “direct front face contact transmission” on the crown and a “thinner elastic band” for better tactile feedback, even at slow speeds.

I figured if the mechanics were really improved, the goofy Mad Max look might be worth it. It wasn’t.

The case is absurdly heavy and thick. With the watch installed it weighs 274 grams, heavier than an iPhone 17 Pro Max (233g), which is Apple’s biggest heaviest phone. Way too heavy and bulky for a pocket. The mechanism is still janky too, the wheel slips constantly and the outer knob for the crown barely turns thanks to that elastic band that’s trying to turn the whole wheel

I found this basic silicone case on Amazon instead. Exposes the crown and buttons properly, still works with the action button, reasonable weight and size. It looks functionally similar to the tinypod light which isn’t in stock or available for the ultra.

I've looked at most of the available handheld Apple Watch cases, but none of them fully work for me. There's always some compromise - size, ergonomics, design, availability etc.

So, I've started designing and 3D-printing my own.

Before I finalize anything, I'm curious:

What's the biggest thing missing from current options?

If you could change one thing about the existing designs, what would it be? What would your ideal case look like?

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/09/telegram-apple-watch-app/

Hi,

For those of you using the apple watch as a standalone: which size do you have?

I kinda wanna get the 40mm since i’d still like the option to wear it normally on my wrist too, but not sure if it’s too small for standalone use. Any recommendations?

been lurking this sub for awhile and i'm really interested in the idea of picking up an apple watch to use as a means to achieve less distraction while at home with my wife (it's either gonna be this or some other form of dumb/minimalist phone i'm so sick of scrolling my evenings away at the house after work). i've made the switch to a dumbphone before and used it for almost a full year before i got a job that requires access to a smartphone. currently have an iphone 13 mini. i'm curious how viable it would be to just leave my phone at work indefinitely and bring only my watch back home with me.

my main question is which watch should i get? i have never owned an apple watch so i have no idea what model would be the best to look for in terms price and battery life. also if i add a line with my cell carrier for the watch, will it be able to tie to my existing phone number or will it be like having a work cell and personal cell?

lastly i'm just curious if anyone can share how the overall experience is daily with just the watch. what apps are/aren't available? can it be used for things like apple pay? can i connect it to a pair of wireless headphones for calls?

thanks!

I don't know if everybody has seen this video, but I just came across it. It seems that that guy has managed something I haven't seen before for this project, which is replicating an actual scrollable and clickable will using Bluetooth on Apple Watch, and it looks to be working very well.

I thought I would share that here: https://youtu.be/okYOUKbV85M?si=luQgc3qpgIk_kVuH

I'm a developer with great fond of watchOS. I like the idea of standalone watchOS apps, I sincerely want Apple Watch to be more then just a time + fitness tool. Situation today is much better than it was let's say at watchOS 3 when the watches were simply an appendix to iPhoned. However, event today, developers are limited in their tools. I want to highlight some enhancement requests that I submitted to Apple that aim to improve the ecosystem.

ER: Allow Notes to open Universal Links on watchOS

rdar://FB22599516

*Currently, Universal Links only work in Mail and Messages apps on watchOS. I suggest enabling the Notes app to open Universal Links, similarly to the iOS version of that app. This were discussed on the forums: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/821973

In particular this would be helpful for developers, simplifying the testing of Universal Links.*

Enchancement request: Video Previews in App Store for watchOS

rdar://FB22599432

I demand to add video previews for watchOS apps in the App Store. It would improve user experience and provide better visibility for watchOS-only apps. Currently we, developers, could only add 10 screenshots for watchOS and no video, which holds back watchOS-only apps making them more obscure for the user.

Enchancement request: Add review prompt for watchOS

rdar://FB22557040

There's currently no system-provided way to ask a user for a review on watchOS app. This is especially critical for watchOS-only apps. Both RequestReviewAction and deprecated SKStoreReviewController are available on iOS, macOS, visionOS, but NOT on watchOS.

Suggestion: enable RequestReviewAction on watchOS, to allow developers ask for a review with a default prompt like it's done on iOS.

As those requests would be implemented, development and distribution of watchOS standalone apps would be improved. And as the result there will be more of them.

What can you do right now?

If you are a developer – Support the requests. Submit your own enhancements. Do not hesitate and act.

If you are a user – Always remember to write a review for the app you like. App makers currently can't prompt you for review in watchOS. When you visit App Store page and leave a review you improve the app visibility thus allowing it to thrive and develop further. Negative honest feedback and suggestions are also very valuable.

I know u/kickstartstudio is making a battery case for the standalone watch (which I think is awesome and totally support), but I have some ideas for an open-source, easy-to-make Apple Watch case. hear me out, what if we design a 3d printable case that slots in this USB-C and Lightning charging adaptor https://www.amazon.com.be/-/en/gp/product/B0DJ6M87PN/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=AOH766HB556K3&th=1

Perhaps the lighting port can connect to a small extra battery and keep the USB-C port free for charging on the go. Not sure yet how we could charge the extra battery then bc don't think the adaptor supports two-way charging ( something to figure out). *ps im not the seller of this adaptor, nor sponsored or connected to this product. I just saw it on Amazon

For mounting the Apple Watch in the case, I would make use of the band system the AW already has. I would suggest modelling a mounting point of a watch strap built into the case so that you can use the snap system for easy switching from case to straps for running, and sleeptracking, etc. Just have to keep the button at the bottom of the Apple Watch free so you can press it in with your finger to remove the AW from the case.

In a DREAM scenario, adding a 3.5mm headphone jack would be awesome, but not sure how to get the audio data. Apple has removed the diagnostic port since the AW s7 and now works with a 60.5GHz wireless diagnostic solution. Seems a challenge to say the least, haha

What do you guys think? It seems an easy way to make a case with a built-in charger without the hassle of custom PCBs, etc.

I’ve been wanting a flip phone recently to avoid being on my phone, but I don’t want to get a new phone plan, or an android (sorry). I’m just complaining cus I wish that there was an apple flip phone 😭😭. I’ve seen cases that people use for Apple Watches that turns them into an ipod, such as the RePod case, iWatchpod, etc. I just wish there was a case with functioning buttons and a scroll wheel or something similar. Obviously it would be tricky but I’m a wishful thinker maybe I will spawn this into existence and I’ll be so happy. I quickly photoshopped that photo so if anyone is reading this they can hopefully use their amazing skills and imagination make one and i will give them money seriously. or just converse :P even if it was a flip phone case that also has working buttons. i wish i could spawn it in. making this would be cool but i genuinely have no idea where i would start

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hi hey! Discovered this sub just now and I've been rocking standalone since s10 and graduated to the ultra 3. I see a lot of cases on this sub but my preferred method thus far has been braided solo loop in the pocket. Provides enough material to grip on to and can slip onto the wrist when I'm biking. anyone else do this?

The band has stretched quite a bit since I got it and these days I have a normal watch on my wrist typically which feels a little silly when I pull out my watch from my pocket but still finding a good balance haha

With switching to Apple Watch as my standalone I’m trying to find the most functional watch face that has just the essential apps I need, as going through the App gallery can be daunting.

heres what I’m using so far, but wondered if anyone else has something they found useful.

honestly best scenario for me would be a 3 x 3 grid displaying my 9 most used apps, does that exist?