if you don’t get the Apple Watch cellular… (2024)

FAQs

Can I still use my Apple Watch without a cellular plan? ›

When your Apple Watch is disconnected — for example, if you're hiking in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular signal, or your iPhone is off — you can still do these things. Track your workouts. See the time and use the Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch apps. Track your activity goals.

Cellular is not required to make or take calls or send or receive messages. However, you will need either the paired iPhone nearby, or if the iPhone is not nearby, a Wifi connection for the watch, and for the paired iPhone to be on, and have a cellular data connection or wifi available as well.

First, your Apple Watch may be GPS-only, not GPS + cellular. Or maybe the Apple Watch's cellular service is down, or you haven't enrolled in an eligible cellular service plan. There may even be Apple Watch software issues interfering with a cellular connection.

Add Apple Watch to your cellular plan

You can activate cellular service on your Apple Watch by following the instructions during the initial setup. To activate service later, follow these steps: Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap My Watch, then tap Cellular.

If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone isn't with you or is turned off. Your Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.

No, you do not have to pay a monthly charge to use your watch. As long as you have your paired iPhone with you, you can answer and make calls from your watch, send messages, etc., without paying the $10 monthly fee. You only have to pay if you want to use your watch as a phone, independently of your iPhone.

To check your cellular data usage, use the Apple Watch app. Open the app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, tap Cellular, then scroll to the Cellular Data Usage section. , then turn Cellular on or off. Turning on cellular for extended periods uses more battery power.

The Apple Watch cellular uses cellular data provided by your carrier to allow you to do things you'd ordinarily need your phone to be able to do. This includes making calls, or using data without needing your iPhone nearby. It offers increased connectivity options over the GPS model.

With Family Setup, your family member who doesn't have their own iPhone can use their Apple Watch to do things like make phone calls, send messages, and share their location with you. After you set up a watch for a family member, you can use your iPhone to manage some of the watch's capabilities.

Stay connected when you're away from your phone.

Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 cellular models with an active service plan allow you to make calls, send texts, and so much more — all without your iPhone.

Do I need cellular on my Apple Watch to listen to music? ›

To listen to music over cellular, you must be using Apple Watch with cellular. On your iPhone go to Settings > Music, then turn on Cellular Data. Tap Audio Quality, tap Cellular Streaming, then choose a quality. Note: Higher quality settings consume significantly more data.

Open the Messages app on your Apple Watch. Start a new message or open a conversation, scroll down, then tap FaceTime Audio to make a call.

You ONLY pay a cellular carrier if you activate the cellular radio, and that is generally a monthly fee as long as you keep the cellular radio activated (In the U.S that is around $10 per month). If you buy a GPS only Apple Watch, then you do not pay extra for an unused cellular radio.

The GPS is built into the Watch itself, not the iPhone. The link you provide specifically says that, even if you aren't connected to cellular or WiFi, you can track your workouts.

Any calls placed, text messages sent and/or cellular data used by Apple Watch are provided via the paired iPhone, so are charged as part of your iPhone's plan and bill. Whether or not it will cost you any more monthly depends on your usage.

A cellular plan isn't required to set up an Apple Watch for a family member, but is necessary for some features.

Yes you can use it with Bluetooth on your phone. Do not have to put it on your cellular plan if you do not choose too.

The Apple Watch cellular uses cellular data provided by your carrier to allow you to do things you'd ordinarily need your phone to be able to do. This includes making calls, or using data without needing your iPhone nearby. It offers increased connectivity options over the GPS model.