Confused about AT&T NumberSync

[richard13]

I bought my Apple Watch 5 almost 2 years ago but didn't activate the LTE on it until now. With my AppleCare expiring I wanted to make sure it actually worked. Anyway, I got an AT&T NumberSync Confirmation email that my "new" Apple Watch (new phone number) is now synced with my (existing wireless number). I thought this was just a forwarding scheme from my Watch to my iPhone. However, if I call that new number for my Watch it doesn't ring on my Watch or my iPhone. I just get a recorded message that the voicemail box is not set up. And if I make a call from the Watch to another phone (another person), the caller id that shows is my iPhone's original wireless number.

Is that the way this is supposed to work? I don't understand why AT&T bothered giving me a new phone number for my Watch that I can't really use.

 

[Luba]

I never called my AW number, so it does put the call through to, i suppose, no where. Anyway, i think of the AW number as an account number. Everything is sync’s with your iPhone number. Making a call on AW looks like it’s from your iPhone.

 

[perezr10]

yeah, the Apple Watch number from AT&T is really just a device identifier for billing reasons. No one ever memorizes or uses that number. Just ignore it.

 

[Phil77354]

yeah, the Apple Watch number from AT&T is really just a device identifier for billing reasons. No one ever memorizes or uses that number. Just ignore it.

@perezr10 is correct. AT&T needs to have a unique 'phone number' for each device, but it is not a functioning phone number. It is only used to identify the device on your account and for billing.

 

[richard13]

Ok, makes sense. Thanks so much for the info guys!

 

[Itinj24]

This implementation is so much better. I had an Android and Samsung watch in the past that actually utilized the separate number. Caused syncing issues and was a pain to give people a second number to call in case I left my phone behind or it died. Then I’d get two calls if I purposely didn’t answer on my phone. What a mess that was.

 

[Phil77354]

It's pretty great to be able to use the watch independently from the phone. I don't use it that often, but it's been very handy a few times. And the quality of the audio is pretty darn good as well.

 

[chanerz]

Yup! My iPad cellular has a phone number but doesn’t work.