Pandora Apple Watch app no longer needs an iPhone to function
The Pandora Apple Watch app is being upgraded so you can leave your phone behind and still listen to tunes on the fly, if you’re a premium subscriber.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
The rollout is gradual so it may take a few days before it reaches your device. But once it does, the Pandora App will function as a standalone app. This is excellent news for those that want to leave their phone behind and still listen to music or podcasts from the popular streaming service when exercising.
You will need a cellular Apple Watch model or a WiFi connection in order for this to function. The other requirement is for a premium Pandora subscription. This currently runs at $9.99 per month.
Previously, your only option was to download music to the Watch through the platform if you wanted a standalone experience. This was enabled through a software update in January last year. The other option was to run it teathered to your smartphone. Needless to say, a standalone experience is much more convenient.
In this sense, Pandora is now a step up on Spotify and Deezer, both of which still require an iPhone connection in order to function. A direct rival is, of course, Apple. It allows direct streaming for its music and podcast services. But now there’s a viable alternative.
Founded some two decades ago, Pandora is operated by Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The service can be accessed either through a web browser or its mobile app. Pandora boasts about 63.1 million monthly active users in the US, and around 70% share of the internet radio market.
The new app supports WatchOS 6.0 or later. To install go to App Store on your Apple Watch or paired iPhone and download the software.
Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!
