Do I need to have a SIM card in my i Appl… (2025)

LD150

93,525 points

heinminthu wrote:

Yes, in order to use your Apple Watch with a cellular data line, you typically need to have a SIM card or an eSIM (electronic SIM) provisioned for the watch.

Here's what you should consider and check:

1. **Physical SIM Card or eSIM**: Some cellular Apple Watch models support a ...

Utter nonsense. Find a better data source, better yet actually use your brain and experience of your own Watch IF you own one.

BobHarris

56,075 points

If your Apple Watch has a Red Ring ⭕️ on the face of the Crown knob, then you have an Apple Watch model with a cellular radio and an eSIM.

If no Red Ring, then you have a GPS only model, and it will depend on your iPhone for cellular access. The GPS only model cannot be upgraded to cellular, but as long as your iPhone is nearby, it can do everything the cellular model can by using the iPhone’s radios.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547

BobHarris

56,075 points

tspazok wrote

I want to buy an apple watch 9 with GPS and cellular and I'm confused as to what I need. I have a 4 line plan with ATT but I'm only using 3 lines since I only have 3 iPhones. So can I use the 4th line on my apple watch 9 or do I have to pair it with a phone that i already have activated and pay ATT an additional $10 month for cellular service on my plan. I would like to use the 4th line that is not in use today activate the ESIM in the apple watch 9 but since there is no physical iPhone to pair it with on that line can I do it and not pay anymore money ($10) cellular charge. Thanks

You cannot use your 4th line for the Apple Watch.

You have to pair the Apple Watch to the iPhone it will be used with (which I assume is your iPhone), and then arrange for AT&T to share your iPhone's number with the Apple Watch. AT&T will then add $10 per month to your iPhone cellular bill.

Your 4th unused line will still be unused, so feel free to find another family member to give that 4th line to. Aunt, Uncle, cousin, Neice, Nephew, your next door neighbor, ....

Or just get a GPS only Apple Watch, and AS LONG AS your iPhone is nearby, it will do EVERYTHING the cellular model will do.

BobHarris

56,075 points

tspazok wrote:

Can I use the Family Membersetup as alternativeand what are the down sides, Thanks

I'm trying to avoid the $10 monthly charge

That is either the same $10 per month or even more expensive as you have to get an Apple Watch Family Plan service for the Apple Watch. I do not know if AT&T would consider using your 4th line for that or not, as it is a specific service.

Also an Apple Watch Family Plan setup is degraded and there are a bunch of features that do not work on the Apple Watch because it cannot share data with the iPhone, as the Family Plan considers the iPhone to be owned by the parent, and the Apple Watch to be owned by a dependent child, who is not allowed access to Mom or Dad's personal information.

Apple Watch Family Plan

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Set up a family member’s Apple Watch - Apple Support

Some limitations: Cannot receive SMS/MMS messages, as that depends on a fully paired iPhone. Messaging is pretty much limited to Apple's Messages, unless the messaging service provides an Apple Watch app. Alarms, alerts, notifications on the iPhone are not sent to the Apple Watch. Apple Pay via a credit card is not available. Also not available: Medications, respiratory rate, irregular heart rhythm notifications, ECG, AFib History, Cycle Tracking, Sleep, Wrist Temperature, Blood Oxygen, Walking Steadiness, Audiobooks, Camera Remote, News, Shortcuts, and the double tap gesture.

Using Family Plan still costs you extra, AND you get a degraded Apple Watch.

Pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone and pay $10 per month.

Get a GPS only Apple Watch (or do not activate the cellular on a cellular model) and just have your iPhone nearby.

Dah•veed

66,091 points

All GPS+Cellular Watches have an eSIM. Watches have never had physical SIM cards.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 13.5;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 9.6; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 16.6; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 16.6; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 16.6; HomePods, audioOS 16.5 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

IdrisSeabright

178,895 points

heinminthu wrote:

1. **Physical SIM Card or eSIM**: Some cellular Apple Watch models support a physical SIM card, while others use an eSIM, which is a virtual SIM embedded within the watch. You may need to check the specific model of your Apple Watch to determine whether it requires a physical SIM card or uses an eSIM.

Incorrect. Apple Watches with cellular only support eSIMs.

While some of the information you are getting from ChatGPT is not inaccurate, quite a bit of it is. Posting information without checking is doing a disservice to your fellow community members.

BobHarris

56,075 points

Ravenspade wrote:

Apple Watch SE does require a physical SIM card. Confirmed by me Verizon and apple:) this is a youth watch and is not typically purchased by adults. The adult iwatches are definitely eSIM but the se is physical SIM.

NO Apple Watch uses a Physical SIM card. Every last one, from the very first, until the models released this year, ALL use eSIMs.

Whoever you were talking to a Verizon does not know what they are talking about.

Dah•veed

66,091 points

Yes, by all means, post a photo of an Watch with a physical SIM card.

It should prove to be enlightening or ridiculously humorous. We shall have to wait and see!

BTW, MacTraker lists both the 1st & 2nd Gen Watches SE as having eSIMs.

IdrisSeabright

178,895 points

Ravenspade wrote:

Apple Watch SE does require a physical SIM card. Confirmed by me Verizon and apple:) this is a youth watch and is not typically purchased by adults. The adult iwatches are definitely eSIM but the se is physical SIM.

No Apple Watch takes a physical SIM. They all use eSIMS. There are difference in how you set up a child phone on cellular service but they have nothing to do with the type of SIM.

Set up cellular on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Ravenspade

8 points

shakiraadan1

8 points

heinminthu

252 points

Yes, in order to use your Apple Watch with a cellular data line, you typically need to have a SIM card or an eSIM (electronic SIM) provisioned for the watch.

Here's what you should consider and check:

1. **Physical SIM Card or eSIM**: Some cellular Apple Watch models support a physical SIM card, while others use an eSIM, which is a virtual SIM embedded within the watch. You may need to check the specific model of your Apple Watch to determine whether it requires a physical SIM card or uses an eSIM.

2. **Activation and Setup**: When you add cellular service to your Apple Watch through your carrier (in this case, AT&T), they should guide you through the process of setting up the cellular plan and activating the SIM or eSIM for your watch. This usually involves syncing the plan with your iPhone and the watch.

3. **SIM Activation Issues**: If you're encountering a "no SIM" message even after setting up the service with AT&T, there could be a few reasons for this issue:

- **SIM Provisioning Delay**: Sometimes, it might take a little time for the carrier to fully activate the SIM or eSIM for your watch. Try waiting for a while and then restarting your watch.

- **Incorrect Setup**: Double-check that you followed all the steps provided by AT&T for activating the service on your watch correctly. Sometimes, a minor mistake during setup can lead to connectivity issues.

- **Compatibility**: Ensure that your Apple Watch model is compatible with cellular service and has the necessary hardware for using a SIM or eSIM.

4. **Contact AT&T**: If you continue to experience issues, it's best to contact AT&T customer support. They can help troubleshoot the problem and ensure that your watch's cellular service is properly activated.

Remember that specific steps and requirements may vary based on your watch model, carrier policies, and any recent updates. It's important to follow the instructions provided by your carrier and, if necessary, seek assistance from their support team to get your Apple Watch's cellular service up and running successfully.

Ravenspade

8 points

LD150

93,525 points

Ravenspade wrote:

Apple Watch SE does require a physical SIM card. Confirmed by me Verizon and apple:) this is a youth watch and is not typically purchased by adults. The adult iwatches are definitely eSIM but the se is physical SIM.

I am intrigued by the idea that SE is a child's watch. Maybe I’m not a typical adult.

tspazok

8 points