use cellular service with gps watch

dianalfilkins wrote:

Can you use cell service with a GPS watch?

No.

If so, is the only option to get a cell service watch?

Yes. If you need to use cell service you need the watch with the cellular hardware. The GPS only watch does not have Cellular hardware.

And even with a Cellular Apple Watch, you need to still have the iPhone powered on and able to access the internet:

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

1. To receive SMS, MMS, or push notifications from third-party apps on your cellular Apple Watch, your paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, but it doesn't need to be nearby. You also need to be signed in to iMessage on your iPhone.

A GPS-only watch can make and receive phone calls only through the iPhone it is paired with and only if your cellular provider allows wifi calling.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 12.4; Watch, series 5 GPS/cellular, watchOS 8.6; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 15.5; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 15.5; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 15.5; HomePods, audioOS 15.5 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

dianalfilkins wrote:

Thank you! Is there any way that I can get texts and emails with the GPS watch when my phone is far away from me? Besides being on the same wifi

No.

For that you need a Cellular model with active cellular service.