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Can you use the Apple watch

Can you use the Apple Watch independent of the cellular service even if the Watch has cellular capabilities? Buying as a gift. They may or may not want on their cellular plan.

iPad (5th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Dec 9, 2017 6:45 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 9, 2017 6:49 AM

Hi


It is only necessary to arrange a data plan for your Apple Watch (in conjunction with your service plan for your iPhone) if you want to use the built-in cellular feature on Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular).


However, that is optional. It is not a requirement for your Apple Watch to be on a data plan, regardless of which model you buy.


Apple Watch always tries to use the most power-efficient connection method. When consuming data, Apple Watch will aways first try to connect to the paired iPhone via Bluetooth. If the iPhone is not available, it next tries to connect to a compatible Wi-Fi network.


Only if neither of these is available will the cellular version of Apple Watch use cellular data, if a service plan has been set up that supports the feature.


About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) models


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) requires an iPhone 6 or newer model, running the latest version of iOS. It is not locked to any specific carrier and has a built-in eSIM that copies information from the iPhone's SIM card.


The built-in cellular feature enables certain features to remain available, subject to certain requirements, when they would not otherwise be available on other models (see the links below for more information). This capability requires a carrier plan for your iPhone that specifically includes support for Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), including the carrier activating the watch on the plan. An activation fee and ongoing monthly cost from the carrier may apply:



However, Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) can still be paired, set up and used for other features whilst skipping the steps to activate cellular, in which case it functions like a GPS-only model. The cellular feature can then be enabled later, if and when you have a compatible service plan on your iPhone.


Even if you are not planning to activate the built-in cellular feature, there are other reasons why you may still prefer to consider buying this model. Other differences between (GPS + Cellular) models and (GPS) models include that (GPS + Cellular) models:


  • Have double the storage capacity of GPS-only models.
  • Have a ceramic back (instead of a composite back).
  • Are compatible with Apple's recently announced AirPower wireless charging mat, which is due to be released next year:

    AirPower mat

  • Include options for Stainless Steel and Space Black Stainless Steel cases (all GPS-only models are aluminium).
  • Stainless Steel and Ceramic (Edition) case models have a sapphire crystal, which is more scratch resistant than Ion-X Glass.


Series 3 GPS-only models (and all other Apple Watch models)


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) and all other Apple Watch models can be used in conjunction with an iPhone 5s or newer model of iPhone (running the latest version of iOS) and a service plan for the iPhone from any carrier. No separate data plan is required for the Apple Watch under any circumstances.


Both


The functions that are available on your Apple Watch when it is away from your iPhone depend on various factors including:



Features and requirements that apply under various circumstances are detailed here, including within the footnotes:


How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 9, 2017 6:49 AM in response to MissLuLo

Hi


It is only necessary to arrange a data plan for your Apple Watch (in conjunction with your service plan for your iPhone) if you want to use the built-in cellular feature on Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular).


However, that is optional. It is not a requirement for your Apple Watch to be on a data plan, regardless of which model you buy.


Apple Watch always tries to use the most power-efficient connection method. When consuming data, Apple Watch will aways first try to connect to the paired iPhone via Bluetooth. If the iPhone is not available, it next tries to connect to a compatible Wi-Fi network.


Only if neither of these is available will the cellular version of Apple Watch use cellular data, if a service plan has been set up that supports the feature.


About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) models


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) requires an iPhone 6 or newer model, running the latest version of iOS. It is not locked to any specific carrier and has a built-in eSIM that copies information from the iPhone's SIM card.


The built-in cellular feature enables certain features to remain available, subject to certain requirements, when they would not otherwise be available on other models (see the links below for more information). This capability requires a carrier plan for your iPhone that specifically includes support for Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), including the carrier activating the watch on the plan. An activation fee and ongoing monthly cost from the carrier may apply:



However, Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) can still be paired, set up and used for other features whilst skipping the steps to activate cellular, in which case it functions like a GPS-only model. The cellular feature can then be enabled later, if and when you have a compatible service plan on your iPhone.


Even if you are not planning to activate the built-in cellular feature, there are other reasons why you may still prefer to consider buying this model. Other differences between (GPS + Cellular) models and (GPS) models include that (GPS + Cellular) models:


  • Have double the storage capacity of GPS-only models.
  • Have a ceramic back (instead of a composite back).
  • Are compatible with Apple's recently announced AirPower wireless charging mat, which is due to be released next year:

    AirPower mat

  • Include options for Stainless Steel and Space Black Stainless Steel cases (all GPS-only models are aluminium).
  • Stainless Steel and Ceramic (Edition) case models have a sapphire crystal, which is more scratch resistant than Ion-X Glass.


Series 3 GPS-only models (and all other Apple Watch models)


Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) and all other Apple Watch models can be used in conjunction with an iPhone 5s or newer model of iPhone (running the latest version of iOS) and a service plan for the iPhone from any carrier. No separate data plan is required for the Apple Watch under any circumstances.


Both


The functions that are available on your Apple Watch when it is away from your iPhone depend on various factors including:



Features and requirements that apply under various circumstances are detailed here, including within the footnotes:


How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Can you use the Apple watch

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