Do I want AT&T to sync the phone number with my Apple Watch?

[davidg4781]

My mom got a cellular Apple Watch and I'm working on adding it to my account. We have a Samsung Gear watch and that has number sync set up. Is this necessary with an Apple Watch? Apple seemed to do a pretty good job allowing me to make phone calls from my Mac with the same phone number as my iPhone.

I realize it's different technology, I'm just wondering if Apple might handle it better than AT&T.

 

[acorntoy]

Your going to want to sync the number. What your talking about only works if the phone itself is nearby, if she forgets her phone or wants to leave it and the number isn’t synced she won’t be getting calls and will not be able to call out from her phone.

 

[davidg4781]

Thanks! That makes sense.

The Samsung is another family member's. This is my first dealing with a cellular Apple Watch.

 

[deeddawg]

Just to confirm - she has her own iphone?

If so then when you pair the watch to the phone you'll be given the opportunity to add the cellular plan for the watch during the setup. The watch gets (effectively) the same phone# as the watch. (it may show differently, but is processed thru the cell system as the same # when receiving or making calls)

No need to call or visit AT&T unless they'd messed up what used to be a very simple no-hassle process.

 

[davidg4781]

Well, there is a past due DirecTV account that was linked to mine in error. So I'm stuck on the phone with them...

 

[deeddawg]

Well, there is a past due DirecTV account that was linked to mine in error. So I'm stuck on the phone with them...

Nothing says fun like dealing with AT&T customer service...

FYI - maybe not applicable to your situation, but worth considering if it does and if coverage is good in your area like it is in mine -- T-Mobile Magenta 55 plan needs only one person aged 55 be on the account, two lines with unlimited text/voice/data, $70 per month total including all fees and taxes. Single-line version of the plan is $50/mo. Watch add on is $10 total, also including taxes & fees.

 

[davidg4781]

Nothing says fun like dealing with AT&T customer service...

FYI - maybe not applicable to your situation, but worth considering if it does and if coverage is good in your area like it is in mine -- T-Mobile Magenta 55 plan needs only one person aged 55 be on the account, two lines with unlimited text/voice/data, $70 per month total including all fees and taxes. Single-line version of the plan is $50/mo. Watch add on is $10 total, also including taxes & fees.

That's tempting. A couple of years ago I checked TMO coverage in my area and where we go and it wasn't as great as AT&T's. I also get a pretty good discount through work, but I think we get a discount with TMO too.

And just to update... $30 activation fee because I'm calling in and not doing it online. And I found record that I dealt with the same erroneously linked account back in 2017.