using apple watch cellular on tracfone carrier

Here is a list of carriers that support the iPhone/Apple Watch combination:

Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple

Tracfone is not listed, or at least I did not see it.

WARNING: if you have upgraded to watchOS 10, your sister’s iPhone 8 will not pair with the Apple Watch. watchOS 10 requires an iPhone XS,XR,SE 2nd gen,11, or newer.

Your sister can use the Apple Watch as a GPS only model. It will do everything a connected cellular model will do as long as the iPhone is nearby.

Things I do with my GPS Only Series 4 Apple Watch:

• It tells time, date, day of the week

• Every iPhone alarm, appears on my wrist, where you can acknowledge it, dismiss it, etc…

• I like the iPhone 3rd party “Alarmed” app (http://yoctoville.com), for my alarms

• Ring.com door bell can display a static image on the Apple Watch

• Weather (this gets used a lot)

• MyRadar 3rd party app will display radar image

• MyRadar and WeatherBug 3rd party apps will send you weather alerts

• Make/Receive phone calls

• Make/Receive FaceTime audio calls

• Use Walkie-Talkie anywhere on the planet

• Silence phone ringing by pressing the digital crown (great for SPAM calls)

• Send & receive iMessages

• Send & receive SMS TEXT

• Say “Hey Siri, 14 and a half minute timer”

• Say “Hey Siri, remind me when I get home to do xyz”

• Say “Hey Siri, message my wife/husband/Susan/George/etc…”

• Say “Hey Siri, start Outdoor Walk”

• Say “Hey Siri, end workout”

• Use a 3rd party garage door opener app and device (such as MyQ)

• You can check your calendar

• Read your email

• If you need to take an iPhone picture where you cannot see the screen, use Apple Watch Camera app as a view finder/shutter release

• 3rd party Ocean’s Tide app for beach visits

• Hand washing reminder and timer

• Unlock your Mac (I do this several times a day)

• Unlock your iPhone when you are wearing a mask

• Track your exercise and physical activities

Since my Wife got her Apple Watch, we have been able to reliably iMessage each other, as she never keeps here iPhone on her person.

If my Apple Watch was lost, stolen, or broken, I would order a replacement as fast as possible, as I would miss it so much.

The major carriers tend to use the alternate brand name as an economy pay-as-you-go plan, BUT reserve the extras, such as Apple Watch support, for the more expensive plans under the main carrier brand name.

If you prefer to leave you iPhone at home, but remain connected via your Apple Watch, then look at the T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T plans that support the Apple Watch, as maybe there is a less expensive plan.

My Wife uses T-Mobile and by giving them her credit card to automatically make payments, she was able to get the Apple Watch added for just $5/month. And T-Mobile does have some affordable plans. Of course, they did just announce a rate hike, so my understanding may be out of date.

And depending on where you live, Verizon or AT&T may have better coverage.