cheap standalone data plan for apple watch (cellular apple watch) USA

[phillyman]

HI All,

I've seen some posts in the past but didn't know what the current status was. I'm considering getting my father an apple watch but he doesn't regularly carry his phone with him. Sometimes he likes to take longer outdoor walks and it would be nice if the fall protection etc would be available via the apple watch. He currently uses redpocket mobile for his minimal cellular needs. Is there a cheap standalone anyone can think of? I checked apple.com and didn't find anything amazing. 10 bucks per month is about what I saw as add ons and I think one service offered a standalone version but was curious if someone had found something cheaper.

Thanks,
Philly

 

[JBaby]

There’s no such thing. It has to be tied to an iPhone and the plan is attached to the iPhone’s cellular plan. I don’t know what they all charge, but T-Mobile cost $10 a month. Now what you could do is set up Family Sharing and have the watch tied to your plan. There are cons though that the webpage explains.

 

[phillyman]

Thanks Jbaby but if I read this correctly there now is:

Apple Watch Cellular Plans for Your Family

Connect your family with My Truphone for Apple Watch. Get cellular plan for your loved one either via the Apple watch app or your iPhone.

www.truphone.com

According to how I read the FAQ it seems to work independently of their regular plans.It would still be $10 but cheaper than having to get a bigger plan and THEN adding something else on.
I had trouble with the link but it is in the FAQ and titled:
" My iPhone is locked to a different mobile operator, may I buy a Truphone plan for Apple Watch? "

Just wondered if anyone had found another MVNO that might work
Philly

EDIT: adding the specific FAQ question and location

 

[JBaby]

Thanks Jbaby but if I read this correctly there now is:

Apple Watch Cellular Plans for Your Family

Connect your family with My Truphone for Apple Watch. Get cellular plan for your loved one either via the Apple watch app or your iPhone.

www.truphone.com

According to how I read the FAQ it seems to work independently of their regular plans.It would still be $10 but cheaper than having to get a bigger plan and THEN adding something else on.

My iPhone is locked to a different mobile operator, may I buy a Truphone plan for Apple Watch?


Philly

As far as I can tell this works like I said in my first post. It works off of Family Sharing. You will need to have it connected to your Truphone plan and but it has to be through an iPhone. Watches do not work independently from the iPhone unless they are part of Family Sharing. Read the  page I linked to.

I didn’t see your edit. This plan will work. But the watch will still need to be managed by an iPhone. There’s no getting around that.

 

[Mobile923]

There’s no such thing. It has to be tied to an iPhone and the plan is attached to the iPhone’s cellular plan. I don’t know what they all charge, but T-Mobile cost $10 a month. Now what you could do is set up Family Sharing and have the watch tied to your plan. There are cons though that the webpage explains.

If you dig a little deeper on T-Mobile’s Apple Watch Plans, they offer a newer $5/mo plan:
500MB of LTE, after then it’s unlimited 3G.
Still offers unlimited talk and text

I opted for this since I have cellular flipped on mainly for an emergency use only, saving an extra $5 is nice

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Thanks Jbaby but if I read this correctly there now is:

Apple Watch Cellular Plans for Your Family

Connect your family with My Truphone for Apple Watch. Get cellular plan for your loved one either via the Apple watch app or your iPhone.

www.truphone.com

According to how I read the FAQ it seems to work independently of their regular plans.It would still be $10 but cheaper than having to get a bigger plan and THEN adding something else on.
I had trouble with the link but it is in the FAQ and titled:
" My iPhone is locked to a different mobile operator, may I buy a Truphone plan for Apple Watch? "

Just wondered if anyone had found another MVNO that might work
Philly

EDIT: adding the specific FAQ question and location

Did you end up going with this company? Seems like a neat deal — I currently have a prepaid plan through AT&T and they don’t offer a Watch plan through prepaid.

 

[phillyman]

Yes I do use them off and on when I travel. It works like a charm. I've never had an issue but because of that also can't vouch for their support.

 

[musicpenguy]

This is really interesting - it appears you could just use the Apple Watch via Family Sharing as the one and only cellular connection and dump your iPhone cellular plan -

 

[phillyman]

Really? I thought Family Sharing was for Apple content. I don’t think you can share your cell Connection as a wifi hotspot like you can with an iPad or iPhone but I could be wrong. In any case it would destroy your battery life.

still curious if you can make it work

 

[Apple_Robert]

From Truphone's website: "Can I set up a Truphone plan for my own Apple watch?

If you want to use the same Apple ID in the Apple Watch and in your iPhone, you will not be able to use a Truphone plan. Truphone’s plans are designed for your family’s members."

 

[phillyman]

From Truphone's website: "Can I set up a Truphone plan for my own Apple watch?

If you want to use the same Apple ID in the Apple Watch and in your iPhone, you will not be able to use a Truphone plan. Truphone’s plans are designed for your family’s members."

correct, sorry I'd forgotten that bit. I had it as a separate apple ID which probably makes it less useful for most people and Truphone does make it clear. Thank you for clarifying that point

 

[UnusedLoginID]

correct, sorry I'd forgotten that bit. I had it as a separate apple ID which probably makes it less useful for most people and Truphone does make it clear. Thank you for clarifying that point

How did you set up the watch account considering Truphone is not listed as a supported carrier in the US?
I’m assuming this conversation is about US users and not just UK!

 

[phillyman]

I hope this works. I didn’t have any issues. I think i was on the phone that managed that watch. But remember it cannot be the same account. https://www3.truphone.com/consumer/support/truphone-for-watch-plans/

 

[Magrathea]

Want our kid to be able to use our old Gen 4 Apple Watch. Both of our phones are prepaid and we pay about $33pm (Tmobile - 5G service and 2G data per phone)

Its seems my only option is to switch to post paid. I calculate this will cost me an extra $50pm !! Ouch! Any suggestions? - perhaps find a friend who is silly enough to have post paid and get it connected via their plan Just don't want the poor bugger to be walking around with one of those silly $99 watches GizmoWatch 2 all the kids have that is probably talking directly to PRC servers

 

[phillyman]

Not sure about gen 4 but the truphone plan might suit your needs

 

[Magrathea]

Thanks, signing up now! But what does this mean and how can the get around the post paid issue ?

Please make sure you are setting up a plan for someone else. This plan will not work if you are setting up an Apple Watch for yourself.

Well it's not for me my kid ????

 

[phillyman]

You shouldn’t have any issues. This plan is separate from your iPhone plan. You pay them 10 bucks a month (prepay via credit card) and your kid‘s Apple Watch with cellular will run on its own. you will set it up through your iPhone and it will ask if it is for you or someone else. Pick someone else. I’m pretty sure you have to set up apple‘s family sharing but not sure on that.

philly

 

[Magrathea]

Ok great now if I could just update the software (slowww says it will take 2 days) I will give it a try. I understand that it'll be a separate phone number so that's the catch.

 

[Magrathea]

So the phone I use has to have a cellular plan on it to setup the Apple Watch - bugger! Both phones we have have our own watches attached! Now I am hosed. Series 3 does no do family sharing! We have a 3 not at four!

 

[Magrathea]

Ok so I'm confused now. The Apple Watch plan needs to be activated by a phone that has a SIM card / active account. If I swap with my Tmobile it complains about my plan being pre paid. What SIM / carrier can I use then to activate the the watch via the iPhone ??? Hell, perhaps I could get their free trial eSIM on my 12 Pro !!???????????

 

[phillyman]

You leave the sim in your phone. You then go to truphone and sign up for a plan.
here some links that should help:

Available Plans

We believe that connectivity can be easier, smarter and more efficient. Since 2006, we have built state of the art SIM software, intuitive management platforms and a powerful global network to make this a reality.

www3.truphone.com

BetterRoaming | Your world. Explore it

go.truphone.com