Apple Watch LTE on AT&T with Grandfather Data plan?

[minifridge1138]

Hello All,

I have an Apple Watch S3 with LTE. I also have a grandfather AT&T data plan. I’m being told by AT&T that it’s not possible to add the $10/month watch data plan to my existing account.

I only know of 1 other person that says he/she was able to get that combination to work, but when I tried to walk through the recommended steps with AT&T support I was told that wouldn’t work.

So I’m wondering if anyone else has gotten an LTE Series 3 Apple Watch to work with their AT&T Grandfather Data plan.

 

[bigbucksnowhammies]

There are a couple of threads on the topic. There have been more than a few members that have successfully activated their LTE watch on their grandfathered data plan. @dave006 is very helpful and knowledgeable on the matter.

Here is the link to one thread: forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-do-wifi-calling-at-t-apple-watch-3-lte.2073951/page-9#post-25237757

And another: forums.macrumors.com/threads/cannot-set-up-cellular-on-series-3-says-at-t-not-supported.2070565/page-35

 

[dave006]

Hello All,

I have an Apple Watch S3 with LTE. I also have a grandfather AT&T data plan. I’m being told by AT&T that it’s not possible to add the $10/month watch data plan to my existing account....

First question, what is the exact name of your current plan?

While waiting for your answer, here are the general steps. Please note that a Corporate Retail location is the fastest way to get your mission completed. Just look up the nearest location here: https://www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html Only the Blue icons are Corporate locations.

No, it is real, possible, and can be done by any rep that knows how to provision a specific type of line. Please don't be rude if the rep does not know how to help you. Just keep trying it really can be done even though it is outside of the normal Workflow.

This process will allow you to add a $10 Apple Watch LTE plan to a personal billing account that has the Grandfathered iPhone data plan or several other types of accounts. Note: You can't do this just by using the watch and your iPhone from home.

It can be done over the phone or at an AT&T Corporate retail location. Here is the basic information that the rep needs. You will have much better luck at a Corporate Retail location, the phone reps have received some limited education, a "sheet of paper" informing them not to to add the Watch to certain older plans. Some reps don't want to lose their jobs so they make it a blanket statement, you must upgrade your plan!

From the bottom of the Watch's box, gather the following:

1. EID of your watch
2. IMEI of your watch
3. Note there is no ICCID to provide since your Watch is using the eSIM.

If you call, please use 800-331-0500. The rep needs to be able to manually provision a new stand-alone line under your Billing Account using the EID and IMEI numbers, this combination should lead to the AT&T Unlimited Wearable plan for $10 a month. This is a single line and is not part of a Mobile Share Group and makes no changes to your existing plans.

If the rep just can't seem to grasp what you are asking about. Ask the rep to create a new group under your Account, Select individual plan vs mobile share plan and they will see the stand-alone Unlimited Wearable plan for $10. You can even add 2 watches to a single line plan if you want.

Complete the set up of Cellular for you LTE Watch:

On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

1. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
2. Tap Set Up Cellular. (Note: you may need to power cycle your watch to make this active)
3. Follow the instructions to complete the NumberSync for Apple Watch (Cellular).

If you have further problems, please swing by our larger thread to further discuss.

Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...t-not-supported.2070565/page-33#post-25153140

Dave

 

[copulate]

Fir

Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...t-not-supported.2070565/page-33#post-25153140

Dave

Sorry I don't know what phrase to search for and you seem very knowledgeable. Just in general (i'm with T-Mobile), what would happen if I want to replace my existing line with the AW's IMEI? As in, if I call customer service and told them to activate a new SIM with the AW's IMEI.....I have an extra line that I don't use often - much rather use that line for the AW than to add another plan so the watch can pair with my existing line. I'm guessing that's not possible - would their system recognize the AW's IMEI as an eSIM and not a regular SIM?

 

[dave006]

T-Mobile will have to provision the eSIM on the Watch using some process. The EID & the IMEI will identify your Watch and any rep is going to have to assign a Watch plan. Also, since there is no physical SIM there is no way for the rep to provision it, since there is no ICCID (string of numbers on a SIM).

Why not just call T-Mobile and ask about reusing this "existing" line. I think you will have to go with the DIGITS program.

Dave

 

[bgrace]

First question, what is the exact name of your current plan?

While waiting for your answer, here are the general steps. Please note that a Corporate Retail location is the fastest way to get your mission completed. Just look up the nearest location here: https://www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html Only the Blue icons are Corporate locations.

No, it is real, possible, and can be done by any rep that knows how to provision a specific type of line. Please don't be rude if the rep does not know how to help you. Just keep trying it really can be done even though it is outside of the normal Workflow.

This process will allow you to add a $10 Apple Watch LTE plan to a personal billing account that has the Grandfathered iPhone data plan or several other types of accounts. Note: You can't do this just by using the watch and your iPhone from home.

It can be done over the phone or at an AT&T Corporate retail location. Here is the basic information that the rep needs. You will have much better luck at a Corporate Retail location, the phone reps have received some limited education, a "sheet of paper" informing them not to to add the Watch to certain older plans. Some reps don't want to lose their jobs so they make it a blanket statement, you must upgrade your plan!

From the bottom of the Watch's box, gather the following:

1. EID of your watch
2. IMEI of your watch
3. Note there is no ICCID to provide since your Watch is using the eSIM.

If you call, please use 800-331-0500. The rep needs to be able to manually provision a new stand-alone line under your Billing Account using the EID and IMEI numbers, this combination should lead to the AT&T Unlimited Wearable plan for $10 a month. This is a single line and is not part of a Mobile Share Group and makes no changes to your existing plans.

If the rep just can't seem to grasp what you are asking about. Ask the rep to create a new group under your Account, Select individual plan vs mobile share plan and they will see the stand-alone Unlimited Wearable plan for $10. You can even add 2 watches to a single line plan if you want.

Complete the set up of Cellular for you LTE Watch:

On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

1. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Cellular.
2. Tap Set Up Cellular. (Note: you may need to power cycle your watch to make this active)
3. Follow the instructions to complete the NumberSync for Apple Watch (Cellular).

If you have further problems, please swing by our larger thread to further discuss.

Link: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...t-not-supported.2070565/page-33#post-25153140

Dave

Will this still work if I try to add an Apple Watch to my grandfathered unlimited plan? Wondering if AT&T has made any changes since this was posted. Thanks!