How to activate cellular on Apple Watch

To set up cellular on your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone and tap on the My Watch tab. Scroll down to and tap Cellular, then follow the onscreen prompts.

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How to set up cellular on your Apple Watch

When you first set up your Apple Watch, you can activate cellular by following the onscreen prompts. If you opt-out of activating cellular during your original pairing process, you can always set up cellular from the Apple Watch app.

• On your paired iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
• Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
• Tap Set Up Cellular, then tap Set Up Cellular again.
• You will then be redirected to instructions for your specific cell carrier. You will need to confirm your identity to add the Apple Watch to your plan and may need to contact your carrier to complete the setup process.

Your Apple Watch will likely be assigned its own phone number for billing purposes, however, the device will actually use the same number as your iPhone. If you set up cellular on a family member’s device who doesn’t have their own iPhone, that device will receive and use its own number. Cellular support for a family member’s managed Apple Watch is only available in certain regions and through specific carriers.

How to connect to a cellular network

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

If you have cellular service activated on your Apple Watch, the device will connect to the network automatically when necessary. Apple Watches automatically utilizes the most power-efficient wireless available. When your iPhone is nearby, the device will use your phone’s signal either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. When your watch needs to connect to cellular, it will use LTE networks. If LTE isn’t available, your watch will try to connect to UMTS if your specific carrier supports it.

You can manually turn your cellular connection on or off anytime by swiping up from your Apple Watch face and tapping the Cellular icon.

How to know if your Apple Watch has an active cellular signal

When your watch connects to a cellular network, you can check the signal strength from your device’s quick menu by swiping up from your watch face.

• When the Cellular icon is green you are connected to a cellular signal.
• When the Cellular icon is white your plan is active but your device is connected to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Read more: Common Apple Watch problems and solutions

How do you remove a cellular plan from your Apple Watch?

To remove your cellular plan, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone and tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular. Tap the information icon at the top of the screen and tap Remove Plan, then tap again to confirm. You may need to contact your cellular carrier to complete the process and cancel your subscription.

Does a cellular connection use more battery on the Apple Watch?

Yes. According to Apple, extended periods of cellular connection will drain the battery faster than connecting to your phone.

How do you check your cellular data use on an Apple Watch?

Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular. Scroll down to the Cellular Data Usage section to review your data usage.

When customer starts the Apple Watch One Number Service eSIM subscription process via the Watch app in iPhone, the system will check whether the customer has completed Real-name Registration. If not completed, the system will send the customer a text message. By clicking on the SMS link, customer can submit his/her identity documents to complete Real-name Registration, upon successful Real-name Registration, he/she can subscribe Apple Watch One Number Service eSIM immediately. If personal info needs updating before submitting Real-name Registration, review results will be sent by SMS or email within 3 working days. Please note you need to enter a one-time password to verify your identity as part of the self-subscription flow. For any enquiries, simply call our 24-hour Customer Service Hotline on 2512 3123.

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How To Set Up Cellular On Apple Watch

With cellular connection on your Apple Watch, you can make calls, reply to messages, receive notifications, and more—even while you’re away from your iPhone. 

Before you start:

• Make sure that you have the latest software on your iPhone and your Apple Watch.
• Check for updates to your carrier settings.
• Make sure that you have an eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same carrier, and you must be within your carrier's network when you set up cellular on your watch.
• If you have an enterprise or corporate cellular service plan, check with your company or carrier to see if they support this feature. Prepaid accounts and some older accounts aren’t currently supported. To make sure that your account is eligible, contact your carrier.

How to set up your cellular plan on Apple Watch: 

You can activate cellular when you first set up your Apple Watch. During setup, look for the option to set up cellular, then follow the onscreen steps.

You can also set up cellular later from the Apple Watch app:

1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
3. Tap Set Up Cellular.
4. Follow the instructions for your carrier. You might need to contact your carrier for help.

Connect to a cellular network

Your Apple Watch with cellular automatically switches to the most power-efficient wireless available: It can connect to your iPhone when itʼs nearby, a WiFi network, or cellular. Your Apple Watch uses LTE networks when it connects to cellular. But, if LTE isn't available, your watch will try to connect to UMTS if your carrier supports it. 

When your watch connects to a cellular network, you can check the signal strength from Control Center or the Explorer watch face. To open Control Center, touch and hold the bottom of the screen, then swipe up.

Learn what your Apple Watch can do while connected to WiFi or cellular even when your iPhone isn't nearby.

How to transfer your cellular plan to a new Apple Watch: 

When you’re ready to start using a new Apple Watch, you can transfer cellular service from your old watch to your new one. Here’s how:

Why is my Apple Watch not activating cellular?

Do you have to activate cellular on cellular Apple Watch?

Do you have to pay extra for Apple Watch cellular?

Can I use an Apple Watch cellular without an iPhone?