Methods and devices for a wireless accessory device (AD) comprising a cellular radio to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular radio. The wireless AD establishes a texting session with a network entity through the cellular network and using the cellular radio. The wireless AD initiates a countdown timer in response to establishing the texting session. The wireless AD determines that a companion device to the wireless AD is reachable by the wireless AD. The wireless AD refrains from pairing with the companion device until the countdown timer expires in response to determining that the companion device is reachable by the wireless device. After expiration of the countdown timer, if the companion device is still reachable by the wireless AD, the wireless AD may pair with the companion device and/or power down its cellular radio.