---
title: "Virtual Pet for iPhone: WatchieBesti Works Without an Apple Watch"
description: "No Apple Watch? WatchieBesti runs on iPhone alone. Your phone's step count raises your pet from egg to graduation. Free to download, no ads, no subscription."
url: "https://watchiebesti.com/iphone-pet/"
---

# A virtual pet for iPhone, no Apple Watch needed

WatchieBesti runs on your iPhone by itself, whether you don't have an Apple Watch or would rather not wear one. Your phone already counts your steps, and those steps look after your pet. It hatches from an egg, grows through life stages as you stay active, and graduates into your family collection. You don't need to tap to feed it. Carry your phone and go about your day.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)
[4.8 Stars ★★★★★ 38 App Store reviews](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)

Free to download · No ads · No subscription · iOS 18 or later

![WatchieBesti home screen on iPhone with a happy rabbit](/assets/images/help/iphone-pet-home.png)

## How your iPhone looks after the pet

Your iPhone counts steps in Apple Health. WatchieBesti reads them, along with any workouts recorded there, and turns them into your pet's mood and growth.

Walk and your pet is happy. A quiet afternoon makes it sad or sleepy. A good stretch of walking gives it a burst of energy. Days you stay active count toward its next life stage, and after enough of them it grows up and graduates. Fancy a quick break? Brain Boost mini-games play right on your phone.

Your pet never dies, and we never see your health data.

## Have an Apple Watch too?

### What the watch adds

The pet moves onto your wrist and your watch face through complications. Your watch also records heart rate, so a hard run or a fast climb up the stairs gives your pet a burst of energy.

### Left the watch at home?

The iPhone app notices when your watch hasn't checked in today and offers to look after your pet instead. When your watch is back on, switch over in Settings. It's the same pet on both, synced through iCloud.

## Questions

Do I need an Apple Watch?
No. The iPhone app runs the pet on its own, using the steps your phone counts.

Do I have to keep my phone on me?
Your iPhone only counts the steps it's with you for. Keep it in a pocket or bag and your pet gets credit for the walk.

Where does my health data go?
Not to us. It's read from Apple Health on your phone. Your pet, including daily step totals, syncs through your private iCloud. No account, no server.

What does it cost?
Free to download, and your first pet is included. No ads and no subscription. Optional one-time purchases add more kingdoms.

![](/assets/images/cta-pets/rabbit.png)

![](/assets/images/cta-props/plant-tree-c.png)

![](/assets/images/cta-props/plant-tree-a.png)

get watchiebesti

## Hatch your first egg

No ads, no subscription, ever. One download, and Family Sharing covers everyone on your plan.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6760113059?pt=117722137&ct=Website&mt=8)
Free to download. Family Sharing included.

## Read more

- [WatchieBesti, the watch pet that grows when you move](/)
- [WatchieBesti as an Apple Watch pet](/apple-watch-pet/)
- [Looking for a Tamagotchi on Apple Watch?](/tamagotchi-apple-watch/)
- [The best Apple Watch pet apps, compared](/best-apple-watch-pet-apps/)
- [How iPhone and Apple Watch work together](/guides/iphone-and-watch/)