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.

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.

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

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.