Adding an Apple Watch to an Existing AT&T Plan

[getrealbro]

I’m planning on buying a Series 7 Apple Watch GPS + Cellular. But I’m confused about whether I can add the AW to my existing legacy AT&T “Mobile Share Advantage 12GB” plan. Or do I have to “upgrade” to one of AT&T’s current and pricier Unlimited Plans.

Has anyone added a GPS+Cellular AW to an AT&T plan that is not one of AT&T’s current “unlimited” plans? If so, what does it cost/mo?

Thanks in Advance — GetRealBro

Edit: The source of my confusion is in the FAQs near the bottom of this page https://www.att.com/brand/apple/watch/

Specifically…
“What AT&T plans are eligible to add the watch?
• AT&T Unlimited Elite
• AT&T Unlimited Extra
• AT&T Unlimited Starter”

 

[JBinPDX]

Your best bet probably is to call AT&T Customer Service and ask them if your plan is eligible.

 

[Night Spring]

Specifically…
“What AT&T plans are eligible to add the watch?
• AT&T Unlimited Elite
• AT&T Unlimited Extra
• AT&T Unlimited Starter”

I would take this to mean you have to be on one of these plans to add the watch. I don't know how else you could interpret this.

 

[Tikatika]

I would take this to mean you have to be on one of these plans to add the watch. I don't know how else you could interpret this.

No you don’t. I don’t have an unlimited plan and have had a cellular Apple Watch on AT&T since they were first launched. Your watch will come with an e-sim already installed. As you go through the setup, activating cellular will be one of the tasks. When it connects to AT&T, at that time the carrier will set up a brand new line. it will cost you $10/mo plus taxes. The number is a dummy number. Your watch will be synced with your iPhone number and that is how you will be able to make calls, etc without having your iPhone with you. Hope this clarifies things for you. Enjoy your watch! ?

Edit: After thinking about this, it is possible I am grandfathered in without an unlimited plan requirement. . Possibly what you are seeing is a new policy. Call AT&T.

 

[getrealbro]

Thanks for the replies.

The AT&T Plans & Prices webpage https://www.att.com/plans/wireless/ only lists 4 plans: the three unlimited plans and a fixed 4GB/line plan. So it is possible to interpret the FAQ as…

“What CURRENT AT&T plans are eligible to add the watch?
• AT&T Unlimited Elite
• AT&T Unlimited Extra
AT&T Unlimited Starter”

FWIW I had already called AT&T and asked if I could add an AW to my existing plan. The rep immediately switched from support to sales mode. From then on the rep only talked about whether I was ready to pay the sales tax now. I told the rep I wasn’t ready to purchase a watch from AT&T and the conversation ended. So I didn’t really confirm that I could add an AW to my existing plan or how much it would cost/month. But my sense is that I will be able to add the AW to my existing plan for $10/month.

Going forward I will purchase an unlocked GPS-Cellular AW from Apple and try to add it to my current ATT plan - when it finally arrives.

It would still be nice to hear if anyone has recently added an AW to a legacy ATT plan.

Thanks again - GetRealBro

 

[Javabird]

Thanks for the replies.

The AT&T Plans & Prices webpage https://www.att.com/plans/wireless/ only lists 4 plans: the three unlimited plans and a fixed 4GB/line plan. So it is possible to interpret the FAQ as…

“What CURRENT AT&T plans are eligible to add the watch?
• AT&T Unlimited Elite
• AT&T Unlimited Extra
AT&T Unlimited Starter”

FWIW I had already called AT&T and asked if I could add an AW to my existing plan. The rep immediately switched from support to sales mode. From then on the rep only talked about whether I was ready to pay the sales tax now. I told the rep I wasn’t ready to purchase a watch from AT&T and the conversation ended. So I didn’t really confirm that I could add an AW to my existing plan or how much it would cost/month. But my sense is that I will be able to add the AW to my existing plan for $10/month.

Going forward I will purchase an unlocked GPS-Cellular AW from Apple and try to add it to my current ATT plan - when it finally arrives.

It would still be nice to hear if anyone has recently added an AW to a legacy ATT plan.

Thanks again - GetRealBro

please post what you find out. I’m trying to decide if I should change plans but I had trouble figuring out the AT&T plan comparison tool.

 

[getrealbro]

please post what you find out. I’m trying to decide if I should change plans but I had trouble figuring out the AT&T plan comparison tool.

I will post my findings in this thread. BUT... it may not be until late Nov or early Dec, based on current 45mm AW7 shipping estimates

 

[highdefjunkie]

I tried activiating my cell plan through my phone and it was a nightmare. Finally called AT&T and after 4 transfers and 2.5 hours on the phone, they finally got it to work. just do NOT hang up until you test and verify.

 

[getrealbro]

This AM I activated my AW7 GPS+cellular on an existing legacy AT&T plan (Mobile Share Advantage 12GB). The AT&T website confirms this addition with a cost of $10/mo more for the AW.

BUT… Like highdefjunkie reported, the process was not quick or painless. It took over 2 hours on the phone with 3 different AT&T reps. Luckily one of the reps was really good and got it working.

In the process, it became clear that the “add a watch tech-script” was written for adding an unpaired AW that was purchased from AT&T, where the Purchase Order paperwork with the AW has all the info they need. Of course this isn’t the case when you call up with an unlocked AW purchased from Apple, that you have already been using without the cellular activated. So as highdefjunkie suggests block out 2-3 hours time and don’t hang up until it works!

GetRealBro

Edit: FWIW the issue that took the most time during activation was the final step -- “signing” the “Terms and Conditions”. This is apparently straight forward to do via the AT&T website, if you are activating an AW that you purchased from AT&T. In the end, the smart tech managed to let me “sign” the Terms & Conditions via the paired iPhone.