Check if Apple Watch is not currently connected - ios

Question

I am trying to detect if a user's Apple watch is currently active using this code:
if WCSession.isSupported() {
let session = WCSession.default
session.delegate = self
session.activate()
}
But even after I power off the watch, I get a callback to session(_ session: WCSession, activationDidCompleteWith activationState: WCSessionActivationState, error: Error?) with activationState == .activated.
Is this expected? Is there any way to actually check if the watch and the iPhone are connected?
EDIT: I also note that if I run the same code inside a simulator, I get the exact same callback with activationState == .activated, yet isPaired == false. It sounds to me like .activated basically is the default state. I'm not even sure how to get .deactivated
EDIT 2: I actually do not have a WatchKit extension and would rather not create one for simplicity. I am simply trying to detect if a paired watch is in range, powered on and communicating so I can tell if my apps local notifications might be delivered to the watch.

Answer 1

You are looking for: isPaired property of WCSession.
After calling activateSession and getting callback you can check if Watch is paired there.
If you need to know if app is installed on Watch - check isWatchAppInstalled.

Answer 2

EDIT
I understand what you're asking now. The issue is that if you check isPaired you get true, even if the app is launched and the watch is not connected.
Example:
import WatchConnectivity
func application(
_ application: UIApplication,
didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
if WCSession.isSupported() {
let session = WCSession.default
session.delegate = self
session.activate()
}
return true
}
}
extension AppDelegate: WCSessionDelegate {
func session(
_ session: WCSession,
activationDidCompleteWith activationState: WCSessionActivationState,
error: Error?) {
switch session.activationState {
case .notActivated:
print("Session no activated")
case .inactive:
print("Session inactive")
case .activated:
print("Session activated")
#unknown default:
break
}
if let err = error {
print("ERROR: \(err.localizedDescription)")
}
if session.isPaired {
print("Current phone is paired to an apple watch!")
}
print("reachable: \(session.isReachable)")
}
func sessionDidBecomeInactive(_ session: WCSession) {
print("Session just became inactive")
}
func sessionDidDeactivate(_ session: WCSession) {
print("session did deactivate")
}
}
This results in the following output with the watch powered on or off
Session activated
Current phone is paired to an apple watch!
reachable: false
Note isReachable is always false because you don't have a watch extension.
Looking at this question there is no solution to this problem. I don't think you can determine this information without a watch extension / app.
Also note that you cannot access the WKInterfaceDevice outside of the watch app.