I want to buy the Apple Watch series 3 GPS with cellular but i can’t get the EE monthly plans as my credit check doesn’t allow me to get any monthly plans or as in contract monthly can I buy the watch and buy pay as you go EE sim and top up my Apple Watch data through my iPhone?
Also at the moment am using giffgaff pay as you go unlimited data can I still be able to use my watch and make phone calls without having my iPhone on me
Hey! Thanks for reaching out.
I recommend you directly contact the wireless provider you want to use with your Apple Watch. Since what you are talking about is pretty specific to your country, and not present in the United States, your local wireless provider could help you better.
Hope it helps!
Hi
In order to use the built-in cellular feature on Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), you need a service plan for your iPhone that specifically includes support for the watch, including the carrier activating the watch on the plan.
The feature is not currently supported on pre-paid service plans.
In order to use the feature with EE, you would need to add their 30-day smart watch plan to a compatible iPhone service plan:
If you cannot currently buy a compatible EE service plan for your iPhone, then you will not be able to use the built-in cellular feature on your Apple Watch. Nor will you be able to use the built-in cellular feature with another UK network, as no other carrier currently supports it.
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) can still be used in conjunction with your giffgaff service plan for your iPhone, but without the cellular feature. Your Apple Watch will instead function like a GPS-only model.
When used in that way, the fullest range of features is available when Apple Watch and the paired iPhone are connected via Bluetooth and your iPhone has access to both cellular service and the Internet (via either cellular data or Wi-Fi).
You do not necessarily need to have your iPhone on or immediately around you (within arm's reach, for example) for the devices to establish and maintain their Bluetooth connection. Normal Bluetooth range is around 33 feet / 10 meters (this will vary in practice due to wireless interference).
Whenever your watch cannot connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth, it will attempt, as a fallback, to connect to a known Wi-Fi network - this being a compatible 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (some exceptions apply) that your iPhone has connected to before whilst your Apple Watch was connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth.
When instead connected to Wi-Fi, the watch also still offers a number of features, including receiving and sending messages via iMessage. If your carrier offers Wi-Fi Calling and it is supported on your plan and enabled on your iPhone, you can also use Apple Watch to make calls and (subject to carrier support) to send and receive SMS / text messages.
If your Apple Watch is unable to connect either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it again still offers some - although fewer - features.
Features that are available in each case are detailed here:
How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support
For the best performance from your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the most power-efficient communication between them, Apple recommends keeping both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.
More information:
Does Apple Watch data works in EE pay as you go top up through
