A method, corresponding apparatuses, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for operating a companion device and a companion device are provided. A method comprises detecting, at a companion device, presence of a primary device that is paired with the companion device according to at least one short-range radio communication technique. The method additionally comprises connecting the companion device to a cellular network upon detecting that the primary device is not present. With the claimed inventions, the battery life of the companion device can be extended.