Can't set cellular provider for Apple Watch using 'Family Mode'!?

Apple Watch Series 9

Posted on Oct 3, 2025 6:15 AM

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Cannot set the cellular provider for an Apple watch using 'family mode' I have a new watch (9) with cellular+gps and I am trying to set it up in 'family' mode for my 93 year old mother. I am at the latest versions for IOS and watchOS and have no trouble pairing them and setting the appleID's. I cannot set up a cellular provider (now called mobile) as the option is greyed out. It appears to be attempting to use the provider for my Iphone even though 'family' mode is documented as allowing a different provider to be used. Again, the 'Setup mobile' option is greyed out either in the initial configuration or using the 'settings' option in the IOS watch app. My hunch is bug in the latest watch app on my phone.
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3 replies

Oct 3, 2025 8:19 AM in response to YGTEMRE

Does your carrier Turkcell support setting up an Apple Watch for a family member?

I can not find this carrier on the list of supported carriers for your country/region:

Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Oct 3, 2025 11:01 AM in response to YGTEMRE

Sorry, but if your carrier does not support setting up the Apple Watch for a family member that has no own iPhone, you can not activate a cellular plan for the Apple Watch of your daughter.

YGTEMRE Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2025 10:07 AM in response to Ingo2711

Thanks for your answer.

I checked, I'm not aware of such a separate list, and apparently Apple support staff isn't aware of it either. In that case, I'll have to open the watch I bought for my daughter with a new Apple account, not as a family member. But how do I start the secondary e-SIM line on my phone that I'm currently using for this watch? Do I need to delete my own account from my phone? What exactly could be the solution since I can't buy a new iPhone for this watch?

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Can't set cellular provider for Apple Watch using 'Family Mode'!?