Cellular on the Apple Watch does not allow roaming.
There is a lot of nonsense out there on the internet that this is because esim technology does not allow it. Not true.
I have esims in my iPhone, iPads and Samsung smart watch - all of them function on cellular globally.
The only one that does not it the Apple Watch.
Why on earth is this basic function restricted by apple with their watches?
Apple Watch Series 6
This is a user-to-user technical support forum, and volunteers here do not have that kind of inside knowledge.
If I had to guess, it is the coupling of the iPhone’s number with the Apple Watch, that behavior requires special setup in the carrier’s network that does not exist in other carrier networks. Again just a guess.
Send feedback to Apple:
I believe your guess is quite right Bob. iPhone and cellular iPads are standalone devices. Apple Watch is not standalone, even with cellular.
Apple Watch does allow roaming
