Set up and use cellular service on Apple Watch (2024)

FAQs

Set up and use cellular service on Apple Watch? ›

Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular. Your Apple Watch should automatically switch to the carrier that your iPhone is using. If you need to add a new plan, tap Add a New Plan, then follow the onscreen steps. If your previous plan still appears in the Apple Watch app, you can remove it.

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.

Generally, the Apple Watch cellular stops working when there's a coverage issue, you run out of data on your plan, a mode is activated that turns off cellular connectivity, or a deeper issue related to your carrier or device hardware.

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.

Once you have accessed the "Mobile Data" tab, choose the option "Add a Plan." This will display a catalog of carriers that endorse eSIM on Apple Watch. Simply select the carrier of your choice that you would like to use for your eSIM plan.

You only have to pay if you want to use your watch as a phone, independently of your iPhone. 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.

Open the Watch app on your phone, select General, then Cellular, and lastly, Set Up Cellular. Then, follow the prompts to set up NumberSync. If your watch still doesn't have wireless service, activate your watch now.

Check for updates to your network provider settings. Make sure you have an eligible mobile data plan with a supported network provider. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same network provider,* and you must be within your provider's network when you set up mobile on your watch.

If an Activation Lock screen appears

Your Apple Watch is linked to an Apple ID. You need to enter the email address and password for that Apple ID to continue set up. If your Apple Watch was previously owned, you might need to contact the previous owner to remove Activation Lock.

Can I leave my phone at home and use my Apple Watch? ›

When your iPhone is off or out of range, your Apple Watch can use a Wi-Fi network to send and receive data. Your watch can also connect to a cellular network if it's a cellular model. And if you've set up an Apple Watch for a family member, they can use a cellular or Wi-Fi connection with their watch.

Your Apple Watch with cellular automatically switches to the most power-efficient wireless available: It can connect to your iPhone when itʼs nearby, a Wi-Fi network, or cellular. When your watch connects to cellular, it uses LTE networks.

Keep your Apple Watch unlocked and on your wrist with your iPhone nearby. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. If your iPhone asks you to confirm that you want to use your watch, follow the onscreen steps to finish setting up.

Check to see if Airplane mode is activated on your Apple Watch or paired iPhone. If Airplane mode is on, turn it off to reactivate cellular connectivity. Check for updates to your carrier settings. Check your cellular carrier settings are up to date.

On your cell phone bill you will see your Apple Watch listed as a separate phone number (one that is unique to your Apple Watch). This number associated with your cellular Apple Watch has no purpose other than as a billing identifier.

For those people who want to get into a habit of leaving their iPhone behind in favor of an Apple Watch, it makes sense to have a cellular plan. Especially for those who run or take walks – with a cellular model, you don't need to keep a bulky iPhone with you to have access to calling, texting, music, and more.

On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Type your password if prompted. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan. If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan.

The watch can then be used with its own phone number and account. The provider's cellular service lets you connect your family member's watch to the cellular network with its own mobile service plan, so the family member can stay connected even without your iPhone nearby.

The monthly cost for an Apple Watch cellular plan varies depending on the carrier and your location. The price tends to range between $10-20/month to add cellular to your Apple Watch.