How to Set Up an eSIM on Your Apple Watch

Here's how to stay seamlessly connected by adding an eSIM to your Apple Watch and activating it:

1. Verify that your Apple Watch is eSIM-compatible via the app on your iPhone.
2. Ensure the Apple Watch software is up to date for a smooth installation.
3. Confirm your mobile data plan supports Apple Watch eSIM with your provider.
4. Set up cellular in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, following the prompts.
5. Verify your connection in the Apple Watch settings.
6. Enable data roaming if you plan to use your watch abroad.

eSIM for Apple Watch

Before we dive into the details on how to add, set up, and activate an eSIM on your Apple Watch, it's important to understand what an eSIM is. Essentially, it is a virtual SIM card that is built into your device.

Unlike traditional SIM cards, which are physical cards that need to be inserted into your device, an eSIM eliminates the need for a physical card altogether.

Cellular Apple Watches

There are two types of Apple Watches: GPS-only and GPS + Cellular. Both versions allow you to make calls, send messages, and receive notifications on your watch. The key difference lies in its connectivity capabilities.

With a GPS-only watch, you will need to have your watch near your phone for it to work. Meanwhile, the cellular version allows you to use your watch for calls and messages, even if your phone is not nearby.

Since the cellular Apple Watches do not have physical SIM card slots, they rely on eSIM technology to enable this connectivity.

Preparing Your Apple Watch for eSIM Installation

Checking Apple Watch Compatibility

Not all Apple Watches support eSIM technology, so it's essential to check whether your device is compatible. You can do this by going to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and navigating to the "Cellular" section. Here, you'll find information about your device's compatibility with eSIMs.

Apple continuously introduces new models and updates to their Apple Watch lineup, each with its own set of features and capabilities. By checking the compatibility of your Apple Watch, you can determine whether it supports eSIM technology and if you can take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Here are some compatible devices:

• Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) and newer (must be running watchOS 4 or later)
• iPhone 6s or later (must be running the latest iOS version)

Similarly, not all carriers support Apple Watch eSIM, so it’s crucial to ensure compatible carriers before you commit. You can refer to Apple’s carrier support page to find compatible carriers, such as Nomad.

If your Apple Watch and carrier are compatible, you'll be able to enjoy the freedom of making calls, sending messages, and accessing data directly from your wrist, even when your iPhone is not nearby.

Updating Your Apple Watch Software

It's always a good idea to keep your Apple Watch software up to date, as new updates often include bug fixes and security enhancements. To ensure that your device is running the latest software version, go to the "Software Update" section in the Apple Watch app and follow the on-screen instructions to install any available updates.

Updating your Apple Watch software is crucial for a seamless eSIM installation process as they often come with improvements that enhance the device’s overall performance and stability.

By regularly updating your Apple Watch software, you can ensure that you have access to the latest features and functionalities, as well as a more secure and reliable user experience. This is especially important when it comes to activating eSIM on Apple Watch, as it requires a stable software foundation to function optimally.

Checking the Eligibility of Your Mobile Data Plan

Not all cellular providers offer eSIM for Apple Watch support. Check with your network provider to ensure that you have an eligible mobile data plan, and that support for Apple Watch is available. Note that your iPhone and Apple Watch must be on the same network provider.

Setting Up Cellular Services on Your Apple Watch

The Cellular Apple Watch comes with an eSIM, and it is fairly simple to set up the cellular services on your watch. When you first pair your watch with your phone and go through the set-up process, you will be prompted to activate mobile services — just follow the instructions on your device to activate the eSIM.

Alternatively, if you would like to set up the cellular service at a later time, you can do so by following these steps:

1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Mobile.
3. Tap Set Up Mobile.
4. Follow the instructions of your network provider.

Using Your Apple Watch with Dual-SIMs

If you have more than one active SIM on your iPhone, you can also add both plans to your Apple Watch and choose the one you would like to connect to on cellular. During the set-up process, you will be able to select the cellular network you would like Apple Watch to run on.

To add a new eSIM cellular network after the initial set-up, you can do so by following these steps:

1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
3. Tap Set Up Cellular or Add a New Plan.
4. Follow the onscreen steps to choose the plans that you want to add to your Apple Watch.

Each Apple Watch can have up to five cellular plans, although only one can be active at any one time. To switch between plans, you can do so from the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Verify Your Connection

After you have completed your set-up, you can follow these steps to verify that the connection has been established:

1. On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > Mobile Data.
2. Check that the eSIM plan reflects the correct network carrier, and that the status is Connected
3. On your Apple Watch, open Control Center – press the Digital Crown, touch and hold the bottom of the screen, then swipe up. Check that the cellular button is in either of the following states:

Roaming with Your Apple Watch

With watchOS 9.1 and later, international roaming is available on these mobile models:

• Apple Watch Series 5 and later
• Apple Watch SE and later
• Apple Watch Ultra

However, not all network providers support international roaming on Apple Watch. Even if it is supported, it is typically not automatically included in your mobile data plan. So, if you would like to enable International Roaming on your Apple Watch, do contact your network provider to confirm if it is supported. This would allow you to use your watch without having your phone nearby while traveling.

To turn on international roaming:

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Mobile, then turn on Data Roaming.

Note that international roaming can result in data bill surprises, so it’s good to monitor your usage. Find out how to check eSIM data usage and how to prevent roaming charges while overseas.

Troubleshooting Common eSIM Setup Issues

While setting up an eSIM on your Apple Watch is generally a straightforward process, you may encounter some common issues from time to time. However, they are usually easily resolved.

Dealing with Activation Errors

If you encounter an activation error during the eSIM setup process, don't panic. There are a few simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Ensure that your iPhone has a stable internet connection as a weak connection can cause activation errors. If you are using Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data to see if that resolves the issue.
2. If the error persists, try restarting both your iPhone and Apple Watch. This can help refresh the system and resolve any temporary glitches behind the activation error.
3. If the above steps do not work, reach out to your network provider for further assistance. They will have access to specific tools and resources to help troubleshoot and resolve the activation error.

Resolving Connectivity Issues

In some cases, you may experience connectivity issues after adding and activating your eSIM on your Apple Watch. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your watch for cellular connectivity.

If you find yourself facing connectivity issues, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

1. Restart your iPhone and Apple Watch. This simple step can often resolve temporary glitches and restore connectivity.
2. Ensure that both devices are within range of a cellular network. Sometimes, being too far away from a cellular tower can result in weak or no signal. Move closer to a window or open space to improve signal strength.
3. Contact your network provider if connectivity issues persist. They can provide troubleshooting assistance specific to your situation and advise if there are any network outages in your area that could be causing the problem.