Correct.  And the watch only app is connected to someone’s node to get balance info and to get the information needed to create transactions for the hww to sign.

ChrisS

You can’t use a hardware wallet without a node

Extract the xpub and import it into any watch-only app.

A HW is just a signer only when you want to make payments. That's all.

bitcoin_beginners

Should I Connect My Hardware Wallet To My Full Node?

siggy47

> You can’t use a hardware wallet without a node

Wrong. Misleading.
Extract the xpub and import it into any watch-only app.
A HW is just a signer only when you want to make payments. That's all.