Newsroom Update
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
I would like to know if it is possible to use cellular (from my UK Vodafone plan with data) when roaming in Switzerland (where I spend A LOT of time, probably more than the UK). I Donny particularly care if I can use my watch on cellular in the UK as well. What should I do?
Apple Watch Series 5, watchOS 6
So, my only option if I want to use the watch on runs to listen to Spotify without taking my phone, given I have purchased the watch in Switzerland, I would have to cancel my UK contract and get a Swiss contract in order to use the cellular feature?
Thank you very much for your replies, ChrisJ4203. Do you happen to know why the Apple Watch can’t roam (the technical reasons)? I understand not roaming between the US and Europe (due to different networks but really don’t get why it can’t within Europe... is it a software or hardware thing?
It has to do with the differences in cellular networks. Because of the size of the Watch, the hardware is not designed to support all of the different cellular bands, that is why they are regionalized. The eSIM in the Watch cannot support roaming. That is explained in the technical specs of the Watch.
The Apple Watch cellular does not allow for roaming. If you don't have the Watch cellular plan activated, you can use it with the paired iPhone, as long as the iPhone has roaming capability.
You would have to cancel the UK contract for both the phone and Watch. I'm not a Spotify user, but if you have used it before to stream over cellular on the Watch, that would be your option.
Roaming with Apple Watch UK contract (with Vodafone) but roaming in Switzerland
