Fossil Gen 5 update makes it the first Wear OS watch to make calls via an iPhone

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Wear OS watches have worked with iOS for some time now, but you don't get all the functionality that you do when you pair the devices with an Android phone – and that includes making and receiving calls.

With the help of a proprietary software update (so this won't be coming to Wear OS smartwatches in general), the latest Gen 5 devices from Fossil are now able to handle iPhone calls, reports 9to5Google.

That means you can answer an incoming call to an iPhone, and launch an outgoing call too. As the Fossil Gen 5 smartwatches don't have integrated LTE connectivity, you still need a connected phone to manage the actual calling.

  • The latest on the Google Pixel Watch
  • Facebook plans its own news tab
  • We review the Apple Watch 5

As yet there's been no official word from Fossil or Apple about how the software works, but Reddit users have reported the new functionality. If you own a Gen 5 watch, the required update should appear very soon, if it hasn't already.

Fifth time around

This calling feature is made possible because of the built-in speaker on the Gen 5 smartwatches from Fossil – that speaker is one of the key upgrades you get over the Gen 4.

In our Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch review we found ourselves impressed by the battery life, the speed and the design of the latest wearable from Fossil, which is available in six different color and finish combinations.

The Gen 5 is one of the best smartwatches you can strap to your wrist right now – it's certainly one of the best watches sporting the Wear OS software from Google.

Another of the smartwatch's key features is the ability to pick a custom battery mode, so you can choose the balance between utility and battery life by turning certain options (like GPS and NFC) on or off.

David Nield
Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Latest in Smartwatches
Oppo Watch Mini X2 teaser
Oppo Watch X2 Mini teaser could be our first glimpse of the smaller OnePlus Watch 3
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection could save your life – here's how the company created it
Apple Watch foldable display patent
Forget the folding iPhone – Apple has patented a foldable Apple Watch with two screens
Apple Watch Ultra 2
7 hidden features on your Apple Watch you should start using right now
Core Time 2 + iPhone 15 blue
'They're stopping our watches from being awesome.' Pebble founder takes the fight to the Apple over its walled ecosystem
Polar Vantage M3 smartwatch worn on wrist
Polar's entire sports watch lineup just got a major upgrade, and it'll make your training more effective than ever
Latest in News
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #385)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #651)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost