Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Can you activate cellular on Apple Watch without phone?
- How does Apple Watch cellular work in India?
- What happens if I dont use cellular on Apple Watch?
- How do I activate eSIM on Apple Watch India?
- Can I activate Apple Watch without iPhone?
- Can I use an Apple Watch if I have an Android phone?
- Does Airtel charge extra for Apple Watch cellular?
- Does cricket support Apple Watch cellular?[+]
Introduction
Solving Apple Watch Cellular Issues Without a Phone: The cellular capabilities of the Apple Watch allow you to stay connected even when your iPhone is not nearby. However, there may be times when you encounter cellular issues with your Apple Watch, and you don’t have immediate access to your iPhone for troubleshooting. In such situations, it’s essential to know how to address these issues directly from your Apple Watch.
Will walk you through the steps to solve Apple Watch cellular issues without relying on a connected iPhone. Whether you’re experiencing problems with cellular connectivity, data connection, or carrier-related issues, these troubleshooting techniques will help you get your Apple Watch back on track.
By understanding how to troubleshoot and resolve cellular issues directly from your Apple Watch, you can maintain a seamless and uninterrupted experience, regardless of whether your iPhone is available or not. Let’s explore the solutions and empower ourselves to overcome Apple Watch cellular issues independently.
Can you activate cellular on Apple Watch without phone?
You can set up a cellular Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have their own iPhone. If your cellular carrier supports the use of a managed Apple Watch, you’re given the option to add the watch to your plan during setup. Look for the option to set up cellular, then follow the onscreen steps.
To activate cellular service on your Apple Watch, you need to have an iPhone with an active cellular plan and a compatible carrier. The activation process involves pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone, setting up your cellular plan through the Watch app on your iPhone, and following the instructions provided by your carrier.
During the activation process, your iPhone will communicate with your carrier to establish the cellular service for your Apple Watch. Without an iPhone as part of the process, you would not be able to complete the necessary steps to activate cellular service.
It’s important to note that after the initial setup and activation, your Apple Watch can operate independently on cellular service without relying on the presence of your iPhone. However, the initial activation and setup require the use of an iPhone.

How does Apple Watch cellular work in India?
With Apple Watch with cellular and a cellular connection to the same carrier used by your iPhone, you can make calls, reply to messages, use Walkie-Talkie, stream music and podcasts, receive notifications, and more, even when you don’t have your iPhone or a Wi-Fi connection.
Apple Watch cellular functionality in India is supported by select cellular carriers. To use Apple Watch with cellular in India, you would need to have a compatible Apple Watch model and an iPhone connected to a carrier that supports Apple Watch cellular service.
Apple Watch cellular works in India through a technology called eSIM (embedded SIM). The eSIM allows the Apple Watch to have its own independent cellular connection without the need for a physical SIM card. When you set up cellular service on your Apple Watch, it shares the same mobile number as your iPhone, and you can make calls, send messages, and use data directly from your watch.
However, it’s important to note that the availability of Apple Watch cellular service and supported carriers can vary depending on your location and the specific Apple Watch model you have. It’s recommended to check with your local cellular carriers and Apple’s official website for the most up-to-date information on Apple Watch cellular availability in India and the supported carriers.
What happens if I dont use cellular on Apple Watch?
Can you answer calls on Apple Watch without cellular? Yes, you can answer calls without cellular, but only if you are connected to the Wi-Fi and your cellular carrier offers Wi-FI calling. Even if your paired iPhone isn’t around you or it is switched off, you can answer your calls.
If you choose not to use cellular on your Apple Watch, it will still function as a regular smartwatch and provide various features and functionalities.
Here’s what you can expect if you don’t activate cellular on your Apple Watch:
1. Dependency on iPhone: Without cellular service, your Apple Watch will rely on a Bluetooth connection with your paired iPhone for most of its functions. This means that you need to have your iPhone nearby for features like receiving calls, sending messages, and accessing internet-based apps or services.
2. Limited Connectivity: Without cellular, your Apple Watch’s connectivity will be restricted to the range of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. You will not be able to make or receive calls, send messages, or access the internet directly from your Apple Watch when it’s not connected to your iPhone or a Wi-Fi network.
3. Health and Fitness Tracking: The Apple Watch’s health and fitness tracking features, such as heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and workout metrics, will still work even without cellular. These features rely on the sensors and capabilities of the watch itself and do not require a cellular connection.
4. Local Storage: Your Apple Watch has internal storage capacity that allows you to store music, podcasts, photos, and other data directly on the watch. You can still enjoy these stored media files and use them offline without cellular connectivity.
While activating cellular on your Apple Watch provides additional convenience and independence, not using cellular does not significantly limit the core functions of the watch. You can still benefit from its fitness tracking capabilities, notifications, and other features as long as your iPhone is nearby or you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
How do I activate eSIM on Apple Watch India?
Set up cellular on Apple Watch
- On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
- Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
- Tap Set Up Cellular.
- Follow the instructions for your carrier. You might need to contact your carrier for help.
To activate the eSIM on your Apple Watch in India, you would typically follow these steps:
1. Check compatibility: Ensure that your Apple Watch model supports cellular connectivity and has an eSIM option. Not all Apple Watch models have cellular capabilities, so make sure you have a compatible model.

2. Contact your carrier: Reach out to your cellular carrier in India and inquire about their support for Apple Watch cellular service. Not all carriers may offer this service, so it’s important to confirm if they support eSIM activation for Apple Watch.
3. Obtain an eSIM QR code: If your carrier supports Apple Watch cellular service, they will provide you with an eSIM QR code or activation code specific to your Apple Watch’s IMEI or serial number. This code is necessary for the eSIM activation process.
4. Set up your Apple Watch: Ensure that your Apple Watch is updated to the latest watchOS version and paired with your iPhone. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to the “Cellular” section.
It’s important to note that the specific steps and requirements for eSIM activation on Apple Watch may vary depending on your carrier and the Apple Watch model you have. It’s advisable to contact your carrier directly for detailed instructions and any specific requirements they may have for activating eSIM on Apple Watch in India
Can I activate Apple Watch without iPhone?
The Apple Watch doesn’t need to be connected to the same carrier as your Apple® iPhone® when set up using Standalone mode (Set Up for a Family Member). The family member using the Apple Watch doesn’t need an iPhone, but an iPhone is required for initial setup.
Activating an Apple Watch requires the use of an iPhone as part of the setup process. The iPhone is necessary for pairing, configuring, and activating the Apple Watch.
During the initial setup, you will be prompted to use the Watch app on your iPhone to pair your Apple Watch and complete the activation process. The Watch app allows you to select language preferences, set up your Apple ID, choose settings, and configure various options for your Apple Watch.
Additionally, when activating cellular service on your Apple Watch, you will need an iPhone with an active cellular plan and a compatible carrier. The iPhone is used to establish the cellular connection and complete the activation with your carrier.
While an iPhone is required for the initial setup and activation, once your Apple Watch is set up, it can operate independently for certain functions like fitness tracking, using stored music, and basic watch features, as long as it has been configured and activated with an iPhone.
Can I use an Apple Watch if I have an Android phone?
You cannot connect an Apple Watch to an Android phone, and it is not possible to set up the wearable using an Android phone or even an iPad. You must also use your own iPhone since the Apple Watch will use the Apple ID associated with the device—any old iPhone will work as long as Apple still supports it.
Apple Watches are designed to be used in conjunction with iPhones and require an iPhone for initial setup and ongoing functionality. The Apple Watch relies on the Watch app, which is only available on iPhones, for pairing, configuration, and software updates.
While it’s technically possible to pair an Apple Watch with an Android phone via Bluetooth, the limited functionality and compatibility make it impractical. You won’t have access to the Watch app or the full suite of features and apps that are designed specifically for the Apple Watch. Many of the advanced features and integrations, such as cellular connectivity, Apple Pay, Siri, and seamless notifications, rely on the close integration between the Apple Watch and iPhone.
If you have an Android phone, it would be more suitable to consider smartwatches that are specifically designed to work with Android, such as those running Wear OS by Google or other compatible platforms. These smartwatches offer a wider range of features and seamless integration with Android devices.

Does Airtel charge extra for Apple Watch cellular?
Airtel customers on MyPlan Postpaid or Infinity Postpaid plans will be able to enjoy cellular services on Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) for free.
The specific pricing and plans for Apple Watch cellular service with Airtel in India may vary. It’s best to directly contact Airtel or visit their official website to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the charges for Apple Watch cellular service.
Cellular service for the Apple Watch is offered as an add-on to your existing mobile plan. Carriers may have specific plans and pricing structures for Apple Watch cellular service, which could include additional charges or fees. These charges could cover the cost of data usage, messaging, and voice calls made through the Apple Watch.
To get accurate and detailed information about the pricing and charges for Apple Watch cellular service with Airtel, I recommend reaching out to Airtel customer support or visiting their website to explore the available plans and options specific to your region.
Does cricket support Apple Watch cellular?
Cricket is not listed as supporting the cellular functions for Apple Watch, but a non cellular watch (or cellular version used without setting up cellular if you want the stainless steel case) connected by Bluetooth to your iPhone doesn’t care which network is used by the phone.
Cricket Wireless, a subsidiary of AT&T, does not support Apple Watch cellular service. At the time, AT&T was one of the major carriers in the United States that offered support for Apple Watch cellular service, but this support was not extended to Cricket Wireless customers.
However, carrier support and offerings can change over time, so it’s recommended to check with Cricket Wireless directly or visit their official website for the most up-to-date information on Apple Watch cellular support. They can provide specific details about their current plans and whether they have introduced support for Apple Watch cellular service since my knowledge cutoff.
Keep in mind that even if Cricket Wireless does not support Apple Watch cellular service, you can still use an Apple Watch with Wi-Fi connectivity to access many of its features, such as notifications, activity tracking, and health monitoring, as long as your iPhone is nearby and connected to Cricket Wireless’ network.

Conclusion
Being able to troubleshoot and resolve cellular issues on your Apple Watch without relying on a connected iPhone is a valuable skill. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can overcome common cellular issues and ensure that your Apple Watch remains connected and functional.
Remember to check your cellular settings, verify your subscription status, and ensure that your Apple Watch is properly activated with your carrier. Additionally, restarting your Apple Watch, resetting network settings, or updating your watchOS software can often resolve connectivity problems.
Having the ability to independently address cellular issues on your Apple Watch provides peace of mind, especially when you don’t have immediate access to your iPhone. It allows you to stay connected, receive calls, send messages, and access cellular-enabled apps directly from your wrist.