Apple Watch 3 GPS, is it possible to make phone calls over WiFi with iPhone off?

[Mikeeee]

Update: I power cycled the phone and then the watch. Still unable to receive calls on WiFi with phone off. Went to a different Apple store tonight, talked to another employee and was told Watch would not text or make calls without the iPhone being on. I said that that I have done all except it won’t receive calls. Another employee was called over and said that only texting was possible on WiFi. So I connected my wife’s phone to the store WiFi and ran thru the tests with the phone on. Then I shut off Bluetooth and WiFi and lo and behold, the watch received a call from my phone! Now I shut off my wife’s phone completely and was able to do everything with the watch connected to the store WiFi! The employees were amazed.

What puzzled me was that I was not able to receive calls on my home WiFi. But then it hit me, I was now connected to a different network which was suggested in one of the guides that you posted earlier in the thread. My wife decided she wanted the same watch only with cellular, so we made the exchange. I was happy that everything finally worked a shift it was supposed to. I only wish I could have brought the original watch home to try on my home network.

Anyway, I came home and began setting up the new watch, but didn’t activate cellular. When on WiFi, it did show my home SSID. Maybe only cellular models do that? And the cellular watch made and received calls and texts with the iPhone off. She is going to try it at work without activating cellular and see what happens. Maybe there are some networks where it won’t work without the phone, at this point I don’t know. Regardless, the extra $70 for the cellular version is worth it for her satisfaction, even if it doesn’t get activated.

Thank you again, you were a big help.

I'm continuing to have the problem on my wifi with the wifi only watch. I've been trying these steps and still no success. I also unpaired my watch and tried it as a fresh install. No phone usage. iMessage has worked all the time but not the phone. I guess the next step for me is to also try the calling off of another WIFI network. Btw I also don't see SSID in the watch control panel. Only the wifi icon when it's connected.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I'm continuing to have the problem on my wifi with the wifi only watch. I've been trying these steps and still no success. I also unpaired my watch and tried it as a fresh install. No phone usage. iMessage has worked all the time but not the phone. I guess the next step for me is to also try the calling off of another WIFI network. Btw I also don't see SSID in the watch control panel. Only the wifi icon when it's connected.

Try connecting your phone to a different network and make sure the watch is connected too. Go to settings and shut off Bluetooth and WiFi on your phone. Check to see if watch is connected to WiFi and and give it a try. I hope it works for you. I’m still wondering if there are some networks where it just won’t work. Maybe only the cellular model shows the SSID, and if so, I wonder why. And I found it odd that I could make calls but not receive them the first time around. Good luck and let us know if it works or not.

 

[Mikeeee]

Try connecting your phone to a different network and make sure the watch is connected too. Go to settings and shut off Bluetooth and WiFi on your phone. Check to see if watch is connected to WiFi and and give it a try. I hope it works for you. I’m still wondering if there are some networks where it just won’t work. Maybe only the cellular model shows the SSID, and if so, I wonder why. And I found it odd that I could make calls but not receive them the first time around. Good luck and let us know if it works or not.

Yeah the inconsistencies are strange. I've also found that Apple personnel just don't have a clue. The problem is they aren't training specialists but they are training generalists. When I call for support to Apple I get a person who typically has 0 clue what they are talking about and half the time are just reading support documents out loud. Even when escalated to 2nd level support, a fraction more knowledge but also a generalist. It's forums like this where you actually have a chance to solve your problem.

Back to the watch. I'm racking my brain tying to understand why some of these things work on 1 wifi network and not the other. One possibility comes to mind. I have a 2.4 and 5 ghz wifi network. I use my iPhone on 5 ghz because I have a 1 gig internet connection and the 5 ghz is able to take advantage of that. I read somewhere that earlier versions of Apple Watch only supported 2.4 ghz. I'm not sure if this version supports it or not. Perhaps in networks where 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz are set up there is a problem with handoff when the cell phone is turned off.

This is probably too technical for some people but maybe its the networks that have both 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks configured, that are creating the problem.

 

[dave006]

@Mikeee, I have both a 5 GHz & 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. My iPhone is on the 5 GHz and my watch is on the 2.4 GHz network. I am using 2 different SSIDs to keep everything straight. The Series 3 only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi so you just need to make sure that your iPhone has a "known" connection to the 2.4 GHz network in addition to it's 5 GHz network connection.

The SSID display appeared in the watchOS 4.1 update, I have not seen a clear confirmation that this feature was limited to only the LTE watch. So if you have watchOS 4.1 on your Series 3 and you don't see the SSID of the Wi-Fi network your watch is connected to when you look at the watch's Control Panel, then we can confirm the SSID display is limited to the LTE watch.

Now on to Wi-Fi Calling from / to your watch. The ability to make calls vs receive calls over Wi-Fi is impacted by the specifics of the underlying network configuration. Making Wi-Fi calls are much easier since the connection is driven upstream from the watch. The return path is more a bit more complex to map back to the watch and allow traffic to flow correctly.

What router or Access Point(s) are you using at home?

Dave

 

[ersan191]

Yeah the inconsistencies are strange. I've also found that Apple personnel just don't have a clue. The problem is they aren't training specialists but they are training generalists. When I call for support to Apple I get a person who typically has 0 clue what they are talking about and half the time are just reading support documents out loud. Even when escalated to 2nd level support, a fraction more knowledge but also a generalist. It's forums like this where you actually have a chance to solve your problem.

Back to the watch. I'm racking my brain tying to understand why some of these things work on 1 wifi network and not the other. One possibility comes to mind. I have a 2.4 and 5 ghz wifi network. I use my iPhone on 5 ghz because I have a 1 gig internet connection and the 5 ghz is able to take advantage of that. I read somewhere that earlier versions of Apple Watch only supported 2.4 ghz. I'm not sure if this version supports it or not. Perhaps in networks where 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz are set up there is a problem with handoff when the cell phone is turned off.

This is probably too technical for some people but maybe its the networks that have both 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks configured, that are creating the problem.

I have a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz network - it's a little annoying but to get the watch to connect since it only supports 2.4GHz you have to add and connect to the 2.4GHz network on your phone while the watch is paired and connected to the phone via BT, leave it for a couple minutes, then turn off bluetooth on the phone, then check the control center on the watch to make sure it's connected. You can theoretically delete the 2.4GHz network afterwards but it's easier to just keep it, since iOS 10 or iOS 11 (I forget) in my experience Apple devices will heavily prefer to connect to the 5GHz networks that are in range even if they have a much weaker signal than the 2.4 network.

 

[Mikeeee]

I have a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz network - it's a little annoying but to get the watch to connect since it only supports 2.4GHz you have to add and connect to the 2.4GHz network on your phone while the watch is paired and connected to the phone via BT, leave it for a couple minutes, then turn off bluetooth on the phone, then check the control center on the watch to make sure it's connected. You can theoretically delete the 2.4GHz network afterwards but it's easier to just keep it, since iOS 10 or iOS 11 (I forget) in my experience Apple devices will heavily prefer to connect to the 5GHz networks that are in range even if they have a much weaker signal than the 2.4 network.

I don't seem to have a problem connecting to Wifi but do have a problem using the phone on my watch when the iPhone is turned off.

 

[dave006]

.....Anyway, I came home and began setting up the new watch, but didn’t activate cellular. When on WiFi, it did show my home SSID. Maybe only cellular models do that? And the cellular watch made and received calls and texts with the iPhone off. She is going to try it at work without activating cellular and see what happens. Maybe there are some networks where it won’t work without the phone, at this point I don’t know. Regardless, the extra $70 for the cellular version is worth it for her satisfaction, even if it doesn’t get activated...

Thanks for the update. It is also good that your wife is on the way to being a happy watch user. Just an important reminder that if / when you activate a cellular plan, Wi-Fi calling changes from the Apple Wi-Fi calling on Other devices to Carrier based Wi-Fi calling. This means that in order for Wi-Fi Calling to work, the Cellular Toggle in the watch's Control Center needs to be "White" - enabled but in standby. This is necessary to provide power to the eSIM for your Cellular carrier to validate the watch as a true "Cellular device" just like the way your iPhone connects to your Cellular carrier over Wi-Fi Calling.

Yes, different Wi-Fi networks may not work at all for Wi-Fi calling or only allow outbound calls or allow the watch make and receive calls over Wi-Fi. Note: The Series 3 watch's still only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks and then only when the host iPhone has already connected while having a Bluetooth connection to the watch to pass these "Known" Wi-Fi networks.

The thing that I tell all new LTE watch owners is none of this odd behavior mentioned above is an issue if the host iPhone is within range. Once out of range of the host iPhone, it does take time for the watch to roll over to Wi-Fi and finally fire up a LTE connection.

Make sure to explain the Red X on the Watch Face and the key Icons in the watch's Control Center: Green box - connection between watch and iPhone, Blue Wi-Fi signal strength wave and finally the Green dots of LTE. And the Gray / White / Green button for LTE and the Wi-Fi button. And finally the Airplane Toggle to speed up the switching of the radios.

Dave

 

[Mikeeee]

OK, open the Watch app on your iPhone, scroll down and tap General. Scroll down to Apple ID (in 3rd block of settings), tap Apple ID. This is where you manage the Apple ID for your watch. As indicated above it must be the same one you are using for you iPhone.

While you are in the Watch app, verify that you have the following set: Enable Wi-Fi calling on Apple Watch.

To verify: Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Phone, then turn on Wi-Fi Calls. If you don’t see the setting, make sure you enabled Wi-Fi calling on iPhone.

Dave

I'm not able to see Enable Wi-Fi calling on Apple Watch. I have WIFI calling on my iPhone enabled. Although it doesn't give me the specific option of enabling Apple Watch.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I'm not able to see Enable Wi-Fi calling on Apple Watch. I have WIFI calling on my iPhone enabled. Although it doesn't give me the specific option of enabling Apple Watch.

It’s in the Watch app on your phone. I don’t have her phone in front of me, but I think it is under the phone settings.

 

[Mikeeee]

It’s in the Watch app on your phone. I don’t have her phone in front of me, but I think it is under the phone settings.

Thanks. For some reason I don't have it.

 

[dave006]

I don't have it on the LTE Watch since Wi-Fi Calling is Carrier based and not Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices.

Apple indicates that it exists. Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Phone, then turn on Wi-Fi Calls. If you don’t see the setting, make sure you enabled Wi-Fi calling on iPhone.

Link: https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apd2fe746e86

Dave

 

[cynics]

Thanks. For some reason I don't have it.

View attachment 737585

Does you cellular provider support wifi calling over iCloud devices?

See here if you aren't sure.

Equally as important, when you were in the wifi calling settings did you set an emergency address? This is an FCC requirement forced on the carrier in case of an emergency they can get a address. If its not set OR its invalid (its cross referenced) Wifi calling can be disabled by the carrier.

Another thing to check...

Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices On > Allow Calls on Other Devices toggled green/on. Don't worry if you dont see the Apple Watch in the list below, mine doesn't show there and it works perfectly.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Update: She is at work and is having problems when the phone isn’t connected to WiFi. There wasn’t time to go over everything with her before she went to work so she could try to troubleshoot things herself. I want to see if I can get everything to work like it did at home and at the Apple Store. She said it shows no connection to phone but she has a WiFi connection. Phone is on and in another room connected to same WiFi.

It’s hard to troubleshoot via text when she isn’t familiar with everything yet. I can always activate cellular, but it should be working without it. Unless her work network won’t work with just the watch connected to it. To be honest, I was expecting this to be quick and easy and it hasn’t been.

 

[Mikeeee]

Does you cellular provider support wifi calling over iCloud devices?

See here if you aren't sure.

Equally as important, when you were in the wifi calling settings did you set an emergency address? This is an FCC requirement forced on the carrier in case of an emergency they can get a address. If its not set OR its invalid (its cross referenced) Wifi calling can be disabled by the carrier.

Another thing to check...

Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices On > Allow Calls on Other Devices toggled green/on. Don't worry if you dont see the Apple Watch in the list below, mine doesn't show there and it works perfectly.

My provider supports Wifi calling.
I did set an emergency address
Calls on Other Devices is on (apple watch not on list)

All boxes checked but still doesn't work.
[doublepost=1511391321][/doublepost]

I don't have it on the LTE Watch since Wi-Fi Calling is Carrier base and not Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices.

Apple indicates that it exists. Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Phone, then turn on Wi-Fi Calls. If you don’t see the setting, make sure you enabled Wi-Fi calling on iPhone.

Link: https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apd2fe746e86

Dave

This is very strange because I don't have that setting in Phone on MyWatch.

 

[AppleScruff1]

My provider supports Wifi calling.
I did set an emergency address
Calls on Other Devices is on (apple watch not on list)

All boxes checked but still doesn't work.
[doublepost=1511391321][/doublepost]


This is very strange because I don't have that setting in Phone on MyWatch.

I’m guessing you’ve updated to 4.1 on the watch, and have power cycled the phone and watch. For some reason it took a while for the watch to show up under additional devices. Also got notification to sign into iCloud a couple of times during this process. It really wasn’t a smooth process to get it working and now I have to figure out why she is having problems in her work network. That is why I took back the GPS only watch and got the cellular model. It’s there just in case the WiFi calling continues to be a hassle.

 

[Mikeeee]

I’m guessing you’ve updated to 4.1 on the watch, and have power cycled the phone and watch. For some reason it took a while for the watch to show up under additional devices. Also got notification to sign into iCloud a couple of times during this process. It really wasn’t a smooth process to get it working and now I have to figure out why she is having problems in her work network. That is why I took back the GPS only watch and got the cellular model. It’s there just in case the WiFi calling continues to be a hassle.

If power cycling means rebooting the devices, yes many times. 4.1 also a yes. I'm starting to think about exchanging for the LTE version as well.

 

[AppleScruff1]

If power cycling means rebooting the devices, yes many times. 4.1 also a yes. I'm starting to think about exchanging for the LTE version as well.

It was worth the $70 upgrade for her peace of mind, but I hate to give Verizon any more money. And I’m stubborn, the watch is capeable of working on WiFi with the phone off, but it hasn’t “just worked” for me. I’ve spent a few hours reading and testing plus a few Apple Store visits. The store employees I have encountered just don’t know the product well enough to help with this. I wish Apple would help clear this up. It has been far from simple.

 

[dave006]

Update: She is at work and is having problems when the phone isn’t connected to WiFi. There wasn’t time to go over everything with her before she went to work so she could try to troubleshoot things herself. I want to see if I can get everything to work like it did at home and at the Apple Store. She said it shows no connection to phone but she has a WiFi connection. Phone is on and in another room connected to same WiFi.

It’s hard to troubleshoot via text when she isn’t familiar with everything yet. I can always activate cellular, but it should be working without it. Unless her work network won’t work with just the watch connected to it. To be honest, I was expecting this to be quick and easy and it hasn’t been.

OK, this is where Wi-Fi networks often fail in a "Business" environment. Do you know how her work Wi-Fi is set up? For example: is it a Corporate environment that would have multiple Wi-Fi access points scattered across a large workspace area, floor or even by Building. Also you need to confirm that the Wi-Fi network supports 2.4 GHz and that your wife's iPhone is connecting to the 2.4 GHz SSID(s) or has recently while her watch was within Bluetooth range to receive the "Known" Wi-Fi connection information.

Based on your comments above it would appear that the work Wi-Fi network shares the same SSID but is either not in a continues TCP/IP network segment or like many office Wi-Fi networks, each Wi-Fi device can access the Wi-Fi network to share some common devices like printers but each end-user Wi-Fi device is isolated from contacting other devices on the Wi-Fi network. A very common security posture.

This is when I mention that all Wi-Fi Networks are note created equal. is it possible for your wife to have her iPhone and the Watch in the same room and sharing the same Wi-Fi Access Point? She can just turn off Bluetooth in the Settings on the iPhone and after 45 seconds or more the watch should show a Wi-Fi connection. And by being in the same room, it should also be on the same Access Point and the same TCP/IP segment.

Dave
[doublepost=1511394411][/doublepost]

My provider supports Wifi calling.
I did set an emergency address
Calls on Other Devices is on (apple watch not on list)

All boxes checked but still doesn't work.
[doublepost=1511391321][/doublepost]


This is very strange because I don't have that setting in Phone on MyWatch.

Do you have any other iCloud devices that you could test Wi-Fi Calling with your iPhone?

I found that using my iPad that I could check the baseline Wi-Fi connectivity and each of the steps along my path to getting my watch to work in my home network that has both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Access Point.

Dave

 

[Mikeeee]

It was worth the $70 upgrade for her peace of mind, but I hate to give Verizon any more money. And I’m stubborn, the watch is capeable of working on WiFi with the phone off, but it hasn’t “just worked” for me. I’ve spent a few hours reading and testing plus a few Apple Store visits. The store employees I have encountered just don’t know the product well enough to help with this. I wish Apple would help clear this up. It has been far from simple.

I'm surprised we're not seeing more people raise this issue here.
[doublepost=1511395899][/doublepost]

OK, this is where Wi-Fi networks often fail in a "Business" environment. Do you know how her work Wi-Fi is set up? For example: is it a Corporate environment that would have multiple Wi-Fi access points scattered across a large workspace area, floor or even by Building. Also you need to confirm that the Wi-Fi network supports 2.4 GHz and that your wife's iPhone is connecting to the 2.4 GHz SSID(s) or has recently while her watch was within Bluetooth range to receive the "Known" Wi-Fi connection information.

Based on your comments above it would appear that the work Wi-Fi network shares the same SSID but is either not in a continues TCP/IP network segment or like many office Wi-Fi networks, each Wi-Fi device can access the Wi-Fi network to share some common devices like printers but each end-user Wi-Fi device is isolated from contacting other devices on the Wi-Fi network. A very common security posture.

This is when I mention that all Wi-Fi Networks are note created equal. is it possible for your wife to have her iPhone and the Watch in the same room and sharing the same Wi-Fi Access Point? She can just turn off Bluetooth in the Settings on the iPhone and after 45 seconds or more the watch should show a Wi-Fi connection. And by being in the same room, it should also be on the same Access Point and the same TCP/IP segment.

Dave
[doublepost=1511394411][/doublepost]
Do you have any other iCloud devices that you could test Wi-Fi Calling with your iPhone?

I found that using my iPad that I could check the baseline Wi-Fi connectivity and each of the steps along my path to getting my watch to work in my home network that has both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Access Point.

Dave

Yes I do. Mac and iPad. I'll get on that.

 

[AppleScruff1]

OK, this is where Wi-Fi networks often fail in a "Business" environment. Do you know how her work Wi-Fi is set up? For example: is it a Corporate environment that would have multiple Wi-Fi access points scattered across a large workspace area, floor or even by Building. Also you need to confirm that the Wi-Fi network supports 2.4 GHz and that your wife's iPhone is connecting to the 2.4 GHz SSID(s) or has recently while her watch was within Bluetooth range to receive the "Known" Wi-Fi connection information.

Based on your comments above it would appear that the work Wi-Fi network shares the same SSID but is either not in a continues TCP/IP network segment or like many office Wi-Fi networks, each Wi-Fi device can access the Wi-Fi network to share some common devices like printers but each end-user Wi-Fi device is isolated from contacting other devices on the Wi-Fi network. A very common security posture.

This is when I mention that all Wi-Fi Networks are note created equal. is it possible for your wife to have her iPhone and the Watch in the same room and sharing the same Wi-Fi Access Point? She can just turn off Bluetooth in the Settings on the iPhone and after 45 seconds or more the watch should show a Wi-Fi connection. And by being in the same room, it should also be on the same Access Point and the same TCP/IP segment.

Dave

I have no idea how her work WiFi is set up. I will have her try turning off Bluetooth and see if that helps. But if I understand correctly, if the network is set up ideally, you shouldn’t have to turn off Bluetooth, when the watch and phone are out of range, it should work with WiFi and once the watch is on WiFi, you should be able to turn phone off completely as I did in my home and Apple store experimenting.
[doublepost=1511399364][/doublepost]

I'm surprised we're not seeing more people raise this issue here.

I’m just guessing, but most people probably think the watch will only function with the phone in Bluetooth range. I’ve done a lot of searching and come up with very little information of other people discussing this like we are here. Chances are highly likely that they were told buy Apple that it wasn’t possible.

 

[dave006]

I have no idea how her work WiFi is set up. I will have her try turning off Bluetooth and see if that helps. But if I understand correctly, if the network is set up ideally, you shouldn’t have to turn off Bluetooth, when the watch and phone are out of range, it should work with WiFi and once the watch is on WiFi, you should be able to turn phone off completely as I did in my home and Apple store experimenting.

Yes your base understanding is correct and valid.

The watch should ideally start with a Bluetooth connection to the iPhone, when out of range of Bluetooth the watch should seamlessly switch to a Wi-Fi connection on the same Wi-Fi Access Point and when the Wi-Fi network that the iPhone is currently using is not in "range". The watch would connect to a "Known" Wi-Fi network with the associated reduction in access to direct features on the iPhone.

The default behavior would be for the watch and the iPhone to be on the same Wi-Fi network (easy if only one Access Point with a single SSID) and the watch would still connect to the iPhone to leverage Cellular calling. When the watch is outside of the "same" Wi-Fi network as the iPhone, the watch should use Wi-Fi Calling on iCloud enabled devices. Reminder: if the LTE watch has a data plan, you must enable the Cellular data switch which powers the eSIM, puts LTE in standby mode (White Icon in the watch Control panel) and allow the LTE watch to make Wi-Fi calls via your carrier similar to how the iPhone uses Wi-Fi Calling when cellular is not available or you have it turned off on the iPhone.

And finally as a last resort the watch should power up the LTE radio and make a true native cellular call if the watch is the Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) model.

Note: The Wi-Fi button in the watch Control panel was added as of watchOS 4.1 as a way to allow "you" to disable the Wi-Fi radio and force the watch to use LTE. Before watchOS 4.1, you had no control over the management of the Wi-Fi without the brute force Airplane mode that disables: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and LTE radios.

Dave

 

[AppleScruff1]

Yes your base understanding is correct and valid.

The watch should ideally start with a Bluetooth connection to the iPhone, when out of range of Bluetooth the watch should seamlessly switch to a Wi-Fi connection on the same Wi-Fi Access Point and when the Wi-Fi network that the iPhone is currently using is not in "range". The watch would connect to a "Known" Wi-Fi network with the associated reduction in access to direct features on the iPhone.

The default behavior would be for the watch and the iPhone to be on the same Wi-Fi network (easy if only one Access Point with a single SSID) and the watch would still connect to the iPhone to leverage Cellular calling. When the watch is outside of the "same" Wi-Fi network as the iPhone, the watch should use Wi-Fi Calling on iCloud enabled devices. Reminder: if the LTE watch has a data plan, you must enable the Cellular data switch which powers the eSIM, puts LTE in standby mode (White Icon in the watch Control panel) and allow the LTE watch to make Wi-Fi calls via your carrier similar to how the iPhone uses Wi-Fi Calling when cellular is not available or you have it turned off on the iPhone.

And finally as a last resort the watch should power up the LTE radio and make a true native cellular call if the watch is the Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) model.

Note: The Wi-Fi button in the watch Control panel was added as of watchOS 4.1 as a way to allow "you" to disable the Wi-Fi radio and force the watch to use LTE. Before watchOS 4.1, you had no control over the management of the Wi-Fi without the brute force Airplane mode that disables: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and LTE radios.

Dave

So the watch would use iCloud calling over the business WiFi, but if the cellular data was activated and enabled it would use wifi calling via Verizon?

 

[dave006]

Yes it should be able to use one of the two flavors of Wi-Fi calling if the business or any Wi-Fi network that is "compatible" with the watch.

Let's distinguish between the two types of watches since there are differences between how the GPS only watch and the LTE watch handle Wi-Fi calling. The non LTE watch will always use the Wi-Fi calling on iCloud devices feature. The LTE watch will use the same feature if you have not added a cellular plan.

Once a cellular plan is added to the LTE watch, the watch's eSIM is provisioned (it gets a generated ICCID), sort of like the nano-SIM for your iPhone has a pre-assigned ICCID. It is now considered a cellular phone device. Since the eSIM is electronic it has to be powered on to work. The power for the eSIM is controlled by the Cellular Icon / button in the LTE watch's Control center. If it is disabled (grayed out) the LTE watch can't use carrier Wi-Fi calling which is it's only option after cellular plan is added.

The watch now acts similar to an iPhone. It can't use Wi-Fi calling without having the eSIM available to be authenticated with in your case, Verizon. Just like your iPhone can't use Wi-Fi calling without a valid carrier nano-SIM installed so that it can be authenticated by Verizon. It's a cellular phone device restriction / distinction that the cellular carriers have made.

Dave

 

[Mikeeee]

I had a conversation with a senior Apple tech. As we discussed the issue I pointed out that I'm running IOS 11.2 beta 2. Bingo. He thinks it's the beta in my case. I'll try to get back to a non beta IOS release and I'll let you guys know if that indeed was the issue.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I had a conversation with a senior Apple tech. As we discussed the issue I pointed out that I'm running IOS 11.2 beta 2. Bingo. He thinks it's the beta in my case. I'll try to get back to a non beta IOS release and I'll let you guys know if that indeed was the issue.

Hopefully that was it. Good luck.