S3 LTE on T-Mobile - Activated but cannot make calls

[sfjoey]

I got a new S3 LTE (bought from Apple direct) and it activated fine out of the box. Took it out on a run and the connection kicked in and I got notifications and texts. I could also send out texts.

However the one thing I cannot do is make calls. Is this related to the LTE bug?

I called T-Mobile and they moved me around 4 times before pushing me directly to Apple. Apple told me it may be related to the bug.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

[soundwarp]

I got a new S3 LTE (bought from Apple direct) and it activated fine out of the box. Took it out on a run and the connection kicked in and I got notifications and texts. I could also send out texts.

However the one thing I cannot do is make calls. Is this related to the LTE bug?

I called T-Mobile and they moved me around 4 times before pushing me directly to Apple. Apple told me it may be related to the bug.

Anyone else have this issue?

im having the exact opposite, i can make calls and recieve them, send imessage, but cant send sms out or recieve

 

[sfjoey]

im having the exact opposite, i can make calls and recieve them, send imessage, but cant send sms out or recieve

Weird! can't tell if this is the bug or a T-Mobile thing.

 

[edhchoe]

I just tried on mine and it works fine.
T Mobile here.

 

[sfjoey]

I just tried on mine and it works fine.
T Mobile here.

you tried it on cellular without connection with your phone? i.e. disconnected bluetooth or walked away from phone?

 

[edhchoe]

you tried it on cellular without connection with your phone? i.e. disconnected bluetooth or walked away from phone?

You are right! I cannot make a call!!

I can make a call with my watch as long as the phone is on. I turned the bluetooth off but they were on the same wifi. and calling worked.
But when I turn the phone off and turn the home wifi off, I cannot make phone call with my watch on LTE.

 

[soulreaver99]

Yup, same problem... I can send text messages but calling does not work

 

[soundwarp]

thats strange how do i have the opposite, i can literally call and receive but cant sms but i can imessage :/

 

[MacJones]

Some apps work for me including Siri but I can't make or receive calls or send or receive messages if my phone is off. I'm on T-Mobile with an iPhone 8.

 

[Mymosa]

Sorry but what is the "bug"? Got my 42mm White Ceramic LTE and I can not make calls away from my phone. T-mobile was useless, and apple specialist will "get back " to me. I understand early adopter issues but the calling show not be a thing since I was the most hyped feature. Get texts and sms fine

 

[lyngo]

This is exactly my issue, OP. Over LTE I can do everything, except initiate a phone call. I can receive them, but not send them.

If it matters at all, I purchased my Watch at Best Buy.

 

[Tapiture]

Sorry but what is the "bug"? Got my 42mm White Ceramic LTE and I can not make calls away from my phone. T-mobile was useless, and apple specialist will "get back " to me. I understand early adopter issues but the calling show not be a thing since I was the most hyped feature. Get texts and sms fine

Some apps work for me including Siri but I can't make or receive calls or send or receive messages if my phone is off. I'm on T-Mobile with an iPhone 8.

Yup, same problem... I can send text messages but calling does not work

Apple has said the following about the buggy series 3 watches: “We have discovered that when Apple Watch Series 3 joins unauthenticated WiFi networks without connectivity, it may at times prevent the Watch from using cellular. We are investigating a fix that will be implemented in a future software update.”

That’s why you can’t make phone calls or send SMS, because the Watch isn’t using cellular. Kind of pathetic that they didn’t do any testing before they released this thing.

 

[phoenixcat]

I have a similar issue where I can make phone calls but can’t send or receive messages. I have Wi-Fi calling off, maybe that makes a difference to calling ie it ignores the Wi-Fi completely and makes calls via LTE

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Apple has said the following about the buggy series 3 watches: “We have discovered that when Apple Watch Series 3 joins unauthenticated WiFi networks without connectivity, it may at times prevent the Watch from using cellular. We are investigating a fix that will be implemented in a future software update.”

That’s why you can’t make phone calls or send SMS, because the Watch isn’t using cellular. Kind of pathetic that they didn’t do any testing before they released this thing.

I doubt this is what's going on here. This implies that everyone in the thread is near, and connected to, an unauthenticated wifi network. And if that's the case the watch will not show LTE signal status either. That's unlikely.

 

[Tapiture]

I doubt this is what's going on here. This implies that everyone in the thread is near, and connected to, an unauthenticated wifi network. And if that's the case the watch will not show LTE signal status either. That's unlikely.

That’s how Apple replied to the issue so take it up with them

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

That’s how Apple replied to the issue so take it up with them

Yeah, a completely different issue than what is being described here. These people are describing being connected to LTE and able to use data (iMessage, Siri, etc) but not phone and SMS services. Not the same thing as being prevented from using LTE at all. No need to be condescending.

 

[Tapiture]

Yeah, a completely different issue than what is being described here. These people are describing being connected to LTE and able to use data (iMessage etc) but not phone and SMS services. Not the same thing as being prevented from using LTE at all. No need to be condescending.

But it was the same issue, you can read all about it in The Verge’s review. They had numerous issues including not being able to make calls. Apple responded to them with that statement. There are a whole range of bugs with cellular working and not working, appearing to connect but not use data, connecting to unauthenticated WiFi networks, not being able to make calls or use Siri but do other things, only be able to make calls etc. I’m not being condescending, you’re being aggressive for no apparent reason.

 

[edhchoe]

I doubt this is what's going on here. This implies that everyone in the thread is near, and connected to, an unauthenticated wifi network. And if that's the case the watch will not show LTE signal status either. That's unlikely.

I agree. I tested with LTE signal dots on the dial. Still did not work.
LTE dots mean wifi and Bluetooth are not available.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

But it was the same issue, you can read all about it in The Verge’s review. They had numerous issues including not being able to make calls. Apple responded to them with that statement. I’m not being condescending, you’re being aggressive for no apparent reason.

even apples reply says the issue prevents the watch from using cellular. I read The verge article the day it was published and I'm reading it again now and all I see is where they talk about it connecting to random wifi networks preventing it from switching to LTE, which is in line with apples verbiage as well.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Tapiture]

even apples reply says the issue prevents the watch from using cellular. I read The verge article the day it was published and I'm reading it again now and all I see is where they talk about it connecting to random wifi networks preventing it from switching to LTE, which is in line with apples verbiage as well.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

“I went for a walk with the phone on airplane mode, and tried to send text messages and use Siri to initiate phone calls through the Watch. Those didn’t work. I tried asking Siri basic questions. That didn’t work.” I guess maybe Apple didn’t respond to this issue but only to the issues later in the article. Seems like this Watch was woefully unprepared for release. It’s main selling point, LTE connection, is buggy as hell at release? That’s just going to get you some angry customers and poor reviews.

 

[shambolic]

Same issue here. Made sure the watch was away from WiFi and showing cellular bars, always get “call ended” immediately.

I chatted with @TMobileHelp on Twitter last night, they asked me to wait until the morning in case it’s a delayed activation (even though data was always fine), they’ve now put in an engineering ticket for me.

Kind of relieved to see it’s happening to others (as much as it sucks for us all), strength in numbers should mean T-Mo or Apple prioritize getting it fixed. Fingers crossed...

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

“I went for a walk with the phone on airplane mode, and tried to send text messages and use Siri to initiate phone calls through the Watch. Those didn’t work. I tried asking Siri basic questions. That didn’t work.” I guess maybe Apple didn’t respond to this issue but only to the issues later in the article. Seems like this Watch was woefully unprepared for release. It’s main selling point, LTE connection, is buggy as hell at release? That’s just going to get you some angry customers and poor reviews.

Right after that section of the article she says it was a faulty review unit which wasn't properly configured for siri and Apple sent a new one.

 

[dave006]

I have a similar issue where I can make phone calls but can’t send or receive messages. I have Wi-Fi calling off, maybe that makes a difference to calling ie it ignores the Wi-Fi completely and makes calls via LTE

Well on AT&T, Wi-Fi calling needs to be on. Your iPhone also needs to be on and connected to the AT&T network via Cellular or Wi-Fi. It does not have to be connected to your Watch, it could be across town or a 1000 miles away. Might be the same requirement for T-Mobile base on your posts.

Here is the relevant AT&T text: *SMS/MMS text messaging requires that your synced smartphone must be powered on so SMS/MMS messages may be forwarded to your watch. iMessage must be enabled and your smartphone must be connected to the AT&T network via either a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. If using a Wi-Fi connection, your smartphone must have Wi-Fi calling activated.

Dave

 

[soulreaver99]

day 2 and this still isn't working. i have wifi calling activated on my iphone, and still get call failed on my watch. iMessages are sent no problem. I hope T-Mobile gives us an extension on the promo for the days this isn't working! mega frustrating!

 

[sfjoey]

Yeah, still not working for me either on day two. Everything else is working fine.

If it still doesn't work after the upcoming fix, I'm sure Apple will get us new watches .