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schalliol

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 7, 2002
229
50
Carmel, IN
Hopefully I can get my office to add my Apple Watch on the same AT&T account, but could I pay separately for it on a completely different account and still pair it with my phone to use my same number for calling/texting? AT&T 611 seemed to suggest it doesn’t matter on which account the watch lives and once it’s paired, it will work, but it made me question how the service works. Does a watch receive a unique phone number that it uses or just keeps in the background? Thanks!
 
From what I understand both devices must be on the same plan and account. Though not sure if that's 100% gospel and it may work in your situation.

At least on Verizon, the watch gets its own separate phone number that can't be called on purpose. They will route calls to your phone's phone number to the watch's number in the back-end so that both devices will ring when someone calls your phone. If I view my account online I can see the watch's phone number. Most likely it works the same way on AT&T.
 
The watch and phone have to be on the same account. The watch does get its own phone number although that is for internal cell company usage and it is not possible to dial the watch using the cell company assigned phone number.
 
Thanks for this. Interesting. I wonder how it works for Family Setup accounts. My understanding is that my son will have a phone number even though he doesn't have an iPhone. I wish you didn't have to have them on the same plan. Can anyone else confirm for AT&T that you can't have it on two different plans.
 
Thanks for this. Interesting. I wonder how it works for Family Setup accounts. My understanding is that my son will have a phone number even though he doesn't have an iPhone. I wish you didn't have to have them on the same plan. Can anyone else confirm for AT&T that you can't have it on two different plans.
What I stated is fact. Ask AT&T directly and they will tell you the same thing. Must be on the same account.
 
What I stated is fact. Ask AT&T directly and they will tell you the same thing. Must be on the same account.
That's helpful. AT&T told me they did NOT have to be on the same account, but I didn't think that made sense. However, how does my son who has an Apple Watch SE call out since he won't have a phone? I assume he'll have a number.
 
That's helpful. AT&T told me they did NOT have to be on the same account, but I didn't think that made sense. However, how does my son who has an Apple Watch SE call out since he won't have a phone? I assume he'll have a number.
You can set up your son on your phone with the family member option. He will need to have a cellular plan, in order to be able to call and receive calls. I think AT&T charges $10 a month plus taxes. Double check the price. It may be lower.
 
Right, so that watch will have its own number I suppose, which would be a new thing.
 
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