There is a lot of questions whether - Apple watch series 5 GPS + Cellular bought in USA will work in India. As per apple update, Model A2156 (40mm) and Model A2157 (44mm) are listed as supported model in India with cellular provider Airtel and Jio. Have anyone bought Series 3, 4 or 5 in USA (Model A2156 or A2157) taken it to India and used with Airtel/Jio network?
Supported Frequency list
Apple Watch
So both Airtel phone support and in store staff were wrong. I reached out to Airtel on twitter and they assigned a case to me. They took a few days to do some stuff in the backend after escalating my case, but I was finally able to register my Series 5. I had to unpair my watch and setup as new for it to register on the network.
They really need to update their website, as the Series 5 or even Series 4 is not mentioned anywhere. Only Series 3 still shows prominently.
Device support (including Series 5) is actually listed in their E-SIM section at the very bottom:
So to summarize, if you are having activation issues, somehow convince Airtel support to escalate the case, have them reset things on your account for e-sim activation and then unpair and re- pair Apple Watch to enable cellular plan on it.
So both Airtel phone support and in store staff were wrong. I reached out to Airtel on twitter and they assigned a case to me. They took a few days to do some stuff in the backend after escalating my case, but I was finally able to register my Series 5. I had to unpair my watch and setup as new for it to register on the network.
They really need to update their website, as the Series 5 or even Series 4 is not mentioned anywhere. Only Series 3 still shows prominently.
Device support (including Series 5) is actually listed in their E-SIM section at the very bottom:
So to summarize, if you are having activation issues, somehow convince Airtel support to escalate the case, have them reset things on your account for e-sim activation and then unpair and re- pair Apple Watch to enable cellular plan on it.
Yes, Airtel does not support Apple Watch series 5 in India yet. I have confirmed via their support, twitter and store personnel. Store people didn’t even know that there is a series 5.
you should tweet at them to force quicker action.
Correct, my watch model is A2157 which is the supported model in India. Airtel support made sure this was the model I had before they proceeded to help me with the registration.
jaghond wrote:
Yes, Airtel does not support Apple Watch series 5 in India yet. I have confirmed via their support, twitter and store personnel. Store people didn’t even know that there is a series 5.
you should tweet at them to force quicker action.
This Apple webpage says they do
Cellular Carriers that support the Apple Watch, which models, the radio frequencies each model uses, and the country where they offer service:
Yes I am aware. But in their words “they don’t have a device profile yet for series 5”. For now only series 3 and 4 will activate on their network.
I have been patiently waiting for an update on this even as Apple is selling in India claiming carrier support from Airtel and Jio. Not sure why Airtel is dragging its feet.
jaghond wrote:
So both Airtel phone support and in store staff were wrong. I reached out to Airtel on twitter and they assigned a case to me. They took a few days to do some stuff in the backend after escalating my case, but I was finally able to register my Series 5. I had to unpair my watch and setup as new for it to register on the network.
They really need to update their website, as the Series 5 or even Series 4 is not mentioned anywhere. Only Series 3 still shows prominently.
Device support (including Series 5) is actually listed in their E-SIM section at the very bottom:
https://www.airtel.in/esim
So to summarize, if you are having activation issues, somehow convince Airtel support to escalate the case, have them reset things on your account for e-sim activation and then unpair and re- pair Apple Watch to enable cellular plan on it.
Just to be clear, the Apple Watch model you activated was one that Apple says is supported in India, and not one from the U.S.
I do now want a mixed message to happen in this thread.
Hariharasuthan4274 wrote:
The LTE band used by airtel (TD 2300Mhz, 1800Mhz & 900Mhz) are mentioned as applicable for the models sold in US also. Still why should there be a problem for using in India?
If you believe Airtel should support the U.S. Apple Watch, then talk to them. We can only tell you what the Apple website says about which watches work for which carriers. It is Airtel that has to actually support the Apple Watch.
Hi,
I bought this model in India A2157 and while setting up the cellular data there is error "Configuration not done".
Called Airtel eben they done have any answer , as they said Apple has not shared the configuration settings with them for Series 5.
Thanks
The LTE band used by airtel (TD 2300Mhz, 1800Mhz & 900Mhz) are mentioned as applicable for the models sold in US also. Still why should there be a problem for using in India?
Hi,
I just got apple series 5 watch in India locally (Not US). There is an error while setting up cellular data. Called up Airtel for this and they said "they dont have guidelines or configuration from Apple for this watch".
Is it really the case?
Model A2157 (44mm)
Thanks.
Strongly suggest Not buying a U.S. Apple Watch with cellular and taking it to India.
The U.S. model is different.
Also you would have to bring it back to the U.S. for warranty repairs.
Buying from another country, even the same model can have issues. ECG may not work (purchase and use countries both have to have approved the ECG app), Walkie-Talkie may not work (some countries require Apple to disable the capability in watches sold in their country), and the Warranty is not international.
You should really just buy the Apple Watch in India.
Apple watch Series 5
