I can't send or receive messages on my Apple Watch
I pay for cellular for my Apple Watch but when my phone isn’t with me I can’t send or receive text but I can make phone calls
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If you can’t send or receive messages on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
See the #2 entry.
The Apple Watch cellular radio is just Internet data, and phone calls are Voice over IP (VoIP).
SMS/MMS requires a traditional cellular radio.
So the Apple Watch uses the iPhone’s cellular radio.
- The iPhone must be powered on.
- The iPhone must be able to access the Internet.
- The iPhone must be signed into iMessage.
- The Apple Watch must be signed into iMessage.
The Apple Watch and the iPhone will cooperate across the Internet to send and receive your SMS/MMS text messages.
The iPhone does not need to be nearby. It can be on the other side of the world, as long as both the iPhone and Apple Watch have internet access.