Hey there! Are you looking to activate and manage cellular data on your Apple Watch? With the Series 3 Apple Watch and newer models, you’re in luck! This handy feature lets you stay connected even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. You can enjoy a three-month free trial with most carriers to explore this freedom. Curious about how it works? Let’s dive in!
Setting Up Cellular Data on Your Apple Watch
First things first, make sure your Apple Watch Series 3 (or a newer model) is cellular-compatible. You can confirm this by checking if the Digital Crown on your watch is red—that’s a sure sign it’s an LTE model!
Getting Started with Activation
Ready to set it up? Just grab your iPhone, open the Watch app, and navigate to Cellular. Tap on ‘Set Up Cellular,’ and follow the prompts. It might vary a bit depending on your carrier, but they’ll guide you through it step by step.
What to Expect
-
- Activation can take a few minutes, so hang tight!
-
- If you run into any hiccups, contacting your carrier might be necessary.
Once you’re done, you can make sure everything’s working fine by turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone or simply walking away from it until it’s out of range.
Testing Your Cellular Connection
Now, let’s check if cellular has kicked in. On your watch face, swipe up from the bottom and tap the Cellular icon to turn it on. It might need around five minutes to connect. If you’re near a Wi-Fi network (only 2.4GHz), the watch will prefer that to save data. When the Cellular connection is successful, the Cellular icon will turn green, and you’ll spot green dots in your Control Center, replacing the iPhone icon.
Managing Your Cellular Data
Want to keep an eye on your data usage? Head into the Watch app on your iPhone and tap Cellular. It may take a moment to load, but then you’ll see your total usage and a breakdown per app. Remember, these stats don’t always match your billing cycle, so you might need to keep track manually.
Data Plans and Considerations
The good news is that most carriers are still providing unlimited data for smartwatches like your Apple Watch! So, whether you’re an exercise junkie or just love the freedom from your iPhone, enjoy a three-month trial and see if cellular is the right fit for you.
FAQ
Can I use my Apple Watch abroad with Cellular?
Unfortunately, no. Right now, the Apple Watch doesn’t support roaming, so you can only use the cellular feature within the network you originally activated it on.
What happens when my free trial ends?
Once your trial ends, you’ll need to decide if you want to continue the service with your carrier. It could come with additional monthly rates depending on their terms.
That’s all there is to it! For more tips and how-tos on optimizing your Apple devices, check out our how-to guide and these other articles:
– How to set a photo as your Apple Watch face
– Share Activity data with friends and family
– Check passive and total calories burned
– Scan QR codes with iOS
– Change your exercise goal on Apple Watch
– Customize and use the flashlight feature on Apple Watch
– Delete apps and set up automatic offloading on iPhone
– Use Theater Mode on Apple Watch
Looking for Cellular Plans for Apple Watch?
Here’s a breakdown of all the plans that are currently available in the US.
| Carrier | Cost (per month) | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| US Mobile | FREE with Unltd Premium Or $6.5/mo annually Or $9.5/mo Taxes & fees included! | Works with any plans. |
| Verizon | $15 + tax & fees | $7.50 credit with certain plansVerizon |
| AT&T | $10 + tax & fees | |
| T-Mobile | $12 + tax & fees | Only works with certain planswww.iphonelife.comiMore |
| Xfinity Mobile | $10 + tax & fees | Pairs well with Xfinity home internet www.iphonelife.comCoverage Critic |
| C Spire | $10 + tax & fees | Only available in select regionsWear To TrackiMore |
