Apple Watch and Vodafone?
Hi - can anyone help? Hoping to get my husband an Apple Watch for Christmas. His phone network is Vodafone. Does anyone know if this will be a problem or if Vodafone can now 'synch'? Thanks!!
Hi
Whether or not the carrier is relevant depends on the model of Apple Watch that you buy and also on whether or not, for Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), your husband would wish to use the built-in cellular capability. Vodafone in the UK does not currently offer a compatible service plan for that feature.
See below for more detailed information.
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.
If your husband does not wish to sign up with EE for both his iPhone and new Apple Watch, then he cannot currently use the built-in cellular feature with another UK network.
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 be enabled later, if and when he is using a compatible service plan on his iPhone, whether from EE or potentially from another UK carrier over time.
If he would prefer to use a different carrier, then he may wish to contact them and ask about their plans and/or monitor this page for further carriers being added over time:
Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple
Other differences between (GPS + Cellular) models and (GPS) models are 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:
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.
More information:
Apple Watch - Compare - Apple (UK)
How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support
About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
