Apple Watch Cellular Not Working? How to Fix The Problem

If your Apple Watch cellular doesn’t appear to be working or your Apple Watch won’t work without your phone, there are several reasons why this might be the case.

First, your Apple Watch may be GPS-only, not GPS + cellular. Or maybe the Apple Watch’s cellular service is down, or you haven’t enrolled in an eligible cellular service plan. There may even be Apple Watch software issues interfering with a cellular connection.

Whether it’s a matter of having a GPS-only Apple Watch or something more complicated, there are several fixes to get your Apple Watch cellular working correctly. 

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How to Fix It When Apple Watch Cellular Isn’t Working

If your Apple Watch cellular doesn’t work, try these troubleshooting tips in the order presented (easiest to most involved) for your best chances of success.

FAQ

• How do I set up cellular on my Apple Watch?

  Check Apple’s list of supported carriers for Apple Watch. If your mobile carrier is compatible, set up cellular service when you activate your Apple Watch. From the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, select My Watch > Cellular > Set Up Cellular.

• What is the difference between GPS and cellular Apple Watches?

  The main difference between Apple Watch GPS versus Apple Watch cellular is that the cellular version works in standalone mode without your phone. You also may not be able to use certain iPhones with newer Apple Watch models. For example, Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and Series 3 models require an iPhone 6S or newer running iOS 14 and higher.