LTE Apple Watches - Can You Switch Providers?

[Alan Gordon]

I'm considering purchasing an Apple Watch Series 6 this Fall.

If I should decide to switch carriers next year (like from Verizon Wireless to T-Mobile), will that be an issue?

 

[Shirasaki]

Apple Watch cellular is tied with your iPhone. It does not have its own carrier and phone number. Switching your iPhone carrier also means switching to your Apple Watch carrier.

Do remember cancelling Apple Watch service though after switching lol.

 

[parseckadet]

While the above is correct, I could also see this question being of the variety "Would I need to buy a new watch because cellular technologies and/or bands differ between carriers?" The answer to that is no, the same watch will work with all carriers. The only gotcha would be if you moved internationally.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile and had no problems. In fact, I added the watch to my line on my own through digits and it only took a few hours to become active.

 

[Momof2.1107]

You asked a question that I had since I’m thinking of switching from T-Mobile to Verizon in September/October. The only thing that will get me to stay with T-Mobile is if the unlocked/Sim free iPhone 12 Pro Max have better connectivity than my XS Max, otherwise I’m switching. I also don’t plan to upgrade my S4 to S6 until Christmas so I need my S4 to work with whatever provider I use until then.

 

[rdavis41]

I just switched from AT&T to Verizon and was told my watched would not work. However, once my phones were activated on Verizon, I was able to add Cellular service to my Apple Watch with no problems whatsoever. Watch must be on same cellular carrier as the phone in order to work.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

I just switched from AT&T to Verizon and was told my watched would not work. However, once my phones were activated on Verizon, I was able to add Cellular service to my Apple Watch with no problems whatsoever. Watch must be on same cellular carrier as the phone in order to work.

I did the same thing, 3 weeks ago. Series 4 on AT&T LTE. I cancelled the AT&T on watch a couple weeks before we switched my whole household full of phones and iPads over to Verizon. HOWEVER, AT&T does not do prorated cancellations now, so they explained my watch would be active through the 14th, the last day of my billing cycle. I waited a few days beyond that to activate on Verizon. Went easy enough just using my phone.

I think some folks have heard you can't switch providers on the watch, particularly if you've activated on AT&T. It's not true, but I wonder if you have to wait until AT&T cancels it in their system, at end of that billing cycle.

Incidentally, I'm in North Fort Worth, in the middle of the DFW metroplex, 50 feet off Interstate 35, and AT&T service sucked. Verizon service, including on the watch, is at or near full signal everywhere, and data speeds are incredible.

 

[rdavis41]

I did the same thing, 3 weeks ago. Series 4 on AT&T LTE. I cancelled the AT&T on watch a couple weeks before we switched my whole household full of phones and iPads over to Verizon. HOWEVER, AT&T does not do prorated cancellations now, so they explained my watch would be active through the 14th, the last day of my billing cycle. I waited a few days beyond that to activate on Verizon. Went easy enough just using my phone.

I think some folks have heard you can't switch providers on the watch, particularly if you've activated on AT&T. It's not true, but I wonder if you have to wait until AT&T cancels it in their system, at end of that billing cycle.

Incidentally, I'm in North Fort Worth, in the middle of the DFW metroplex, 50 feet off Interstate 35, and AT&T service sucked. Verizon service, including on the watch, is at or near full signal everywhere, and data speeds are incredible.

That's what I told. And AT&T can cancel mid cycle. I cancelled ours 5 days before the end of the billing period.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

That's what I told. And AT&T can cancel mid cycle. I cancelled ours 5 days before the end of the billing period.

Sure. I cancelled mine before the 14th also. But it still functioned and I was billed through the 14th. I even got an email confirming the action the day of. Check your bill.

 

[rdavis41]

I did. Honestly, AT&T's dishonesty is why I left them. Turns out I found a secret line that was somehow active on my account for 5 months. In addition they disconnected all our lines without any notice one day while my child was at school. 2 complaints to BBB later, the bill is settled and I did not pay any fees for Watches.

 

[HDFan]

It does not have its own carrier and phone number.

The cellular model watch does have its own phone number. It has to have a cellular plan. As of now it has to be on your iPhone plan. Interesting idea, though, if at some point it could be on a different plan/carrier than your iPhone. Not likely to happen as would wreck havoc on interoperability.

 

[Shirasaki]

The cellular model watch does have its own phone number.

While it technically has its own phone number (the same as the one on paired iPhone), one cannot buy an Apple Watch and go to carrier to apply a new phone number specifically for that Apple Watch. That’s why I say it doesn’t have its own phone number.

Interoperability is a bit more like a technical problem imo, but who knows how those carrier deals are signed with Apple, which could become a factor. Only time can tell.