Just got a new Apple Watch and keen to see what it can do? Cellular Watches are one of the most exciting developments in personal tech in years. Make the most of your new purchase by connecting your Apple Watch to an iPhone and setting up an eSIM. From popping to the shops, going for a run or even heading out for a weekend break, a cellular smartwatch gives you the freedom to stay connected while leaving your phone at home.
What can a Cellular Apple Watch do?
Simply put, a cellular Apple Watch lets you call, text, use apps and connect to mobile internet directly via your smartwatch, without the need for a paired phone. This is a huge step forward in the wearable tech market and gives a glimpse into the future of personal technology. It’s already being embraced by everyone from hikers to business travellers, parents, caregivers and more. Learn more in our guide to cellular watches.
What is an eSIM?
An embedded SIM ('eSIM') is the latest evolution of SIM technology. Fast becoming the industry standard replacement for SIM cards, eSIMs are SIM profiles that can be downloaded instantly to a chip inside a mobile device, rather than inserted via a physical card. This provides a range of advantages, most notably that users can store multiple eSIMs simultaneously on a single device and switch between them instantly.
Their smaller size also means eSIMs have enabled the rise of connected devices, such as cellular smartwatches, laptops, drones and even household appliances like fridges and speakers. eSIMs are the reason why cellular Apple Watches can connect to mobile internet, anytime, anywhere. Learn more about eSIMs here.
Does your Apple Watch support eSIM technology?
Before you purchase a data plan, double-check that you have a cellular Apple Watch model. Cellular Apple Watches are the only ones that have an eSIM. Non-cellular Apple Watches can still access the internet, but only via a Bluetooth connection to a nearby paired iPhone. Cellular watches will also be able to provide more accurate location data than non-cellular ones, which rely on GPS technology. This makes eSIMs an ideal fit for navigation apps, hiking services and workout trackers like Strava.
Current eSIM-ready Apple Watches range from the $299 entry-level SE to the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2, the benchmark for high-performance wearable consumer tech. The Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 3 onwards (including the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 9) are available in cellular and non-cellular versions. A cellular model usually costs around $50-100 more than the Bluetooth-only equivalent. All Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 models come with cellular as standard.
If you’re not sure if your Apple Watch can use an eSIM, it’s easy to tell at a glance: cellular Apple Watch models will have a red circle on the crown (the ridged circular dial on the side watch face).
If you see this red circle, you’re ready to install an eSIM on your Apple Watch. Here’s how:
What You’ll Need
A cellular-enabled Apple Watch (see above to check if your Apple Watch supports eSIM plans)
An iPhone 6S or later
An active Apple ID login
A reliable Wi-Fi connection
Make sure the watch is already paired with the iPhone. If you're not sure how to turn on an Apple Watch, or are switching it on for the first time, see this quick guide.
How to Pair an Apple Watch
How do you set up an Apple Watch?
If you have a brand-new Apple Watch that is fresh out of the box, or a used iPhone that you would like to connect to another phone, you will need to pair the watch and phone. Apple provide full instructions on how to configure Apple Watch on their website. Once paired, you can then continue to set up your Watch in cellular mode and book a Watch mobile data plan.
Before you begin: You will need to be running at least iOS14 on your iPhone and Watch OS7 on your Apple Watch. We recommend updating both your iPhone and Watch to the latest available iOS and Watch OS. Make sure the Watch and iPhone are both fully charged (or at least more than 50%) and connected to Wi-Fi.
How to set up an Apple Watch
First, turn on your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the long button on the side of the watch face until the Apple logo appears
On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and select All Watches > Add Watch
Select Set Up for Myself (if you wish to set this watch up for someone else, like a child or family member, see our page on Apple Watch For Your Kids)
An animation will appear on the screen of your Watch. Hold the Watch in front of your iPhone camera until you see a message on the iPhone confirming that the Watch is paired.
If this doesn't work, select Pair Manually and follow the onscreen instructions to finish pairing your Apple WatchIf this is your first time using an Apple Watch with this iPhone, select Set Up as a New Apple Watch and follow the onscreen prompts.
If you've previously set up an Apple Watch with this iPhone, select Make this Your New Apple Watch and follow the instructions to configure the settings for your new WatchWhen asked, sign in with your Apple ID. You can also skip this step and sign in later via the Watch app on your iPhone. Signing in with your Apple ID will allow you to access all features of the Apple Watch, including improved location services and Find My iPhone/Apple Watch
Select your desired text size and choose if you want to set a passcode for your Watch. Some features, such as Apple Pay, require your Watch to set a passcode. You can also set one later in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
Follow the onscreen instructions to configure the settings for your Apple Watch. Finally, decide if you would like to set up a mobile data plan and use Apple Pay with your Watch.
You're all set! When a clock face appears on your Apple Watch, pairing has been successful. Keep the Watch and iPhone within a few feet of each other for a few minutes longer just to confirm that pairing has been fully completed
If your Apple Watch is still not connecting to your iPhone, find more information on the Apple Support page or visit our Troubleshooting Centre.
Setting up a Cellular Apple Watch
Learn how to set up Apple Watch cellular mode in minutes. Once your Watch is set up and paired to an iPhone, you can choose and install an eSIM. Here’s how to set up a cellular Apple Watch:
- 1
On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app
- 2
Select My Watch, then Mobile Data or Cellular (depending on which version of English your Apple Watch uses)
- 3
Select Set Up Mobile Data/Cellular
- 4
Select the mobile carrier you wish to book a data plan with (usually the same carrier you use with your iPhone). If your mobile carrier supports multiple Watch plans in your region, you will be shown a list of all available plans here. Apple Watches can support up to five plans at a time
- 5
Follow the onscreen instructions from your chosen network provider to install an eSIM and purchase mobile data for your Apple Watch
- 6
On your Apple Watch, make sure Mobile Data is turned on by going to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data
- 7
You should see your chosen network provider in the top-left corner of the watch screen
- 8
You’re all set! Now get out there and enjoy the possibilities of a truly mobile internet connection
Setting up a Cellular Apple Watch for Someone Else
One of the most exciting new Apple features is the ability set up to multiple eSIM-enabled Watches on a single iPhone, and give them to people who want to stay connected but don’t have an iPhone themselves, such as children. Apple calls this feature 'Apple Watch For Your Kids' (formerly known as Family Setup). Learn how to use Apple Watch For Your Kids and set up an Apple Watch here.
A cellular Apple Watch is there to make your life easier, and BetterRoaming data plans are the simplest way to make this happen. Try a 7-day free trial with one of the best Apple Watch eSIM plans here.olympic
FAQs
Can I use an Apple Watch with an Android phone?
Unfortunately, no. Apple’s Watch OS is not cross-compatible with Android devices. This is partly due to security, and partly due to Apple preventing competition.
Can I use an eSIM with other Smartwatches?
Yes. There are plenty of other smartwatches which support eSIM and cellular technology and are Android-compatible. Samsung and Google both have their own proprietary ranges of wearables, while specialized outdoor brands like Garmin and Suunto offer variety of cellular smartwatch models. Be sure to shop around to find the right one for you. For now, BetterRoaming data plans will only work on Apple Watches however.
Can I connect a non-Apple Watch to my iPhone?
Yes, though they won’t offer the same range of features as an Apple Watch. Many non-Apple Watches from brands including Fitbit, Garmin and Suunto can also connect to an iPhone and provide some of the features an Apple Watch would, such as displaying notifications from your phone. However, some of the Apple Watch’s most popular features, such as the fitness rings or Apple Watch For Your Kids, are only available with an Apple Watch-iPhone connection. BetterRoaming data plans are currently only available for Apple Watch as well.
Why is my Apple Watch not connecting to my phone?
If you are having any trouble at all with connecting your Apple Watch or purchasing a Watch data plan, visit our support pages: for device issues, see the Apple Watch support page. For issues or questions about BetterRoaming Apple Watch data plans, please visit the BetterRoaming support centre.
How do I set up an Apple Watch?
If you wish to set up an Apple Watch for yourself, you can do so in minutes using the instructions above under the title 'How to pair an Apple Watch'. If you're having any issues, find more information in our support centre. If you're setting up an Apple Watch for someone else, please visit our page on Apple Watch For Your Kids.
