How does Apple Watch use cellular data?

After connecting Apple Watch to the cellular mobile network, you can make phone calls, reply messages, receive notifications, and so on. Even if you are far away from the iPhone.

Before we start

Make sure that the latest software is installed on iPhone and Apple Watch.

Check whether there are any operator settings updates.

Make sure that you are using a qualified cellular network service package provided by a supported operator. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same carrier *, and when you set up a cellular network on your watch, you must be within the coverage of the carrier's network.

If you use a corporate or corporate cellular mobile service package, please ask if your company or operator supports this feature. Prepaid accounts and some old accounts are not supported at present. To ensure that your account is eligible, please contact your operator.

* The Apple Watch you set up for your family members can use a different carrier than the iPhone.

Set up a cellular network on Apple Watch.

When you set up Apple Watch for the first time, you can activate the cellular mobile network. During the setup process, please find the option to set up the cellular mobile network, and then follow the steps on the screen.

You can also set up a cellular network later in the Apple Watch application:

On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

Click the My Watch tab, and then click Cellular Network.

Tap Set Up Cellular Network.

Please follow the instructions applicable to your operator. You may need to contact the operator for help.

Set up a cellular network on a family member's Apple Watch.

You can set up an Apple Watch that supports cellular networks for family members who don't have an iPhone. If your cellular network operator supports hosting Apple Watch, you can add the watch to your subscription during setup. If your carrier does not support this feature, you can switch to another carrier.

To see the Apple Watch phone numbers assigned to family members after setting up the cellular network, go to Settings on the watch, and then tap Phone.

In some countries, hosted Apple Watch can only be set for family members.

If you are in Chinese mainland, you must verify your identity when setting up a cellular network on a family member's Apple Watch according to local regulations. If necessary, please contact your operator for further assistance.

Connect to a cellular mobile network

Apple Watch supporting cellular mobile network will automatically switch to the most energy-efficient available wireless network: it can connect to nearby iPhone, Wi-Fi network or cellular mobile network. When your watch is connected to a cellular mobile network, it will use the LTE network. When LTE is not available, if the carrier supports UMTS, your watch will try to connect to UMTS.

When the watch is connected to the cellular mobile network, you can check the signal strength in the control center or Explorer dial. To open the Control Center, press and hold the bottom of the screen, and then push it up.

The "Control Center" on Apple Watch shows that the cellular mobile network signal is in the strongest state.

If you can connect, the Cellular Mobile Network button will turn green. The green dot shows the signal strength.

"Control Center" on Apple Watch.

When your cellular network plan is in use, but the watch is connected to iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the "Cellular Network" button will turn white.

Learn what you can do on an Apple Watch connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular mobile network when the iPhone is not around.

Change operator

Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same carrier, unless this watch is set up for family members who don't have an iPhone. If you change your carrier * on the iPhone, you need to delete the previous service subscription on Apple Watch, and then register a new subscription. The specific operation is as follows:

On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

Click the My Watch tab, and then click Cellular Network.

Apple Watch will automatically switch to the carrier used by iPhone. If you need to add a new package, please click Add New Package and follow the steps on the screen. If your previous subscription is still displayed in the Apple Watch application, you can remove it.

If you need help, please contact your operator.

* Operator fees may apply. Please contact your operator for details.

Transfer the cellular phone subscription to the new Apple Watch.

When you are ready to start using the new Apple Watch, you can transfer the cellular mobile service used by the old watch to the novice watch. The specific operation is as follows:

Remove the cellular mobile service package from the old Apple Watch. You can do this through the Apple Watch application or by erasing the old Apple Watch.

Pair the new Apple Watch with the iPhone. During the setup process, please click "Set up cellular mobile network" to add a cellular mobile package.

Some operators allow existing packages to be transferred directly from the Apple Watch application to the new Apple Watch.

If you don't see the option to transfer the cellular phone package, please contact your operator for help.

Delete your cellular subscription

You can delete your cellular service subscription at any time:

On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

Click the My Watch tab, and then click Cellular Network.

At the top of the screen, tap the information button next to the cellular network package.

Click "Delete [Operator] Package". Click OK again.

If you don't plan to pair the watch again, you may need to contact the operator to cancel your cellular mobile network subscription. *

When you erase the Apple Watch and unpair it, you will also see the option to remove the subscription from the Apple Watch. When prompted, select Delete All to delete the corresponding subscription.