Still unable to SMS via LTE (ATT)

[bsb7140]

Still unable to s/r SMS while watch is on LTE. ATT has no fix and continues to state all is fine, however, with a feature not working it clearly is not. I know not everyone has this problem but wondering if there are others out there or maybe someone had a fix?

Apple has reached out to me to gather logs/date from phone watch and phone to see what the problem is.

 

[Blas]

Still unable to s/r SMS while watch is on LTE. ATT has no fix and continues to state all is fine, however, with a feature not working it clearly is not. I know not everyone has this problem but wondering if there are others out there or maybe someone had a fix?

Brian Tong from CNET posted on twitter that "OFFICIAL @Apple CONFIRMATION: iPhone needs to be ON and connected to send SMS. With iPhone OFF and Watch ON, NO SMS over LTE. Just iMessage." https://twitter.com/briantong/status/912865728583237632 . I tried it myself twice and was not able to send an SMS over LTE w/o iPhone and w/o wifi.

 

[bsb7140]

Apple watch will not send SMS if you are on LTE and not connected to the iPhone. In other words, to send SMS while not connected to wifi, you need to be connected to iPhone.

I am well aware... you do not need to be tethered to the phone. The phone just needs to be on and connected to the network. In my case, the watch cannot s/r sms when away from phone and both devices on LTE. Both Apple and ATT say it should be working but for some reason it does not and they are unsure as to the reason.

 

[Blas]

I am well aware... you do not need to be tethered to the phone. The phone just needs to be on and connected to the network. In my case, the watch cannot s/r sms when away from phone and both devices on LTE. Both Apple and ATT say it should be working but for some reason it does not and they are unsure as to the reason.

If both of your devices are on LTE, and you want to s/r SMS, the phone and watch need to be connected together.

For example, if you leave your phone in your car and go into a store, and the watch/iphone are not close enough to connect, your watch won't be able to s/r SMS only iMessage.

 

[bsb7140]

If both of your devices are on LTE, and you want to send SMS, the phone and watch need to be connected together.

According to apple no they do not... you can send an sms without being connected to the phone just as you can a phone call, use apps, and iMessage. Other users have confirmed their ability to send SMS when away from phone as well.

 

[Blas]

According to apple no they do not... you can send an sms without being connected to the phone just as you can a phone call, use apps, and iMessage. Other users have confirmed their ability to send SMS when away from phone as well.

Let me test it out right now and see if perhaps you are right.

 

[bsb7140]

All I know is that Apple and ATT say they should work... others have said they can send sms away from phone. Also, going by this article from apple, they say that they should work just as if you are connected to the phone.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547

 

[Blas]

You are right that the apple info says that and CNET says it as well. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/apple-watch-series-3-texts-not-working-heres-whats-going-on/#

I just tried it right now. Both on LTE, I was far away from the iPhone where there is no connection and the SMS didn't work. So although apple says that in the link maybe it doesn't work.

What others have said they can do it? Cause I'm also on att, are they on other networks?

UPDATE: I got a notification of unsent message, but after connecting to wifi again, the sms went through. Same WIFI network, iphone/AW still too far away to be connected to each other.

 

[dave006]

Hey @bsb7140 & @bias what cell plan are you both on and did you setup your watch using self-service activation? Second, what type of plan do you have for your iPhone?

I am leaning toward an issue with NumberSync on the LTE side. Either of you up for removing NumberSync from your line?

Dave

 

[Blas]

Hey @bsb7140 & @bias what cell plan are you both on and did you setup your watch using self-service activation? Second, what type of plan do you have for your iPhone?

I am leaning toward an issue with NumberSync on the LTE side. Either of you up for removing NumberSync from your line?

Dave

I used the set up from the iPhone watch app. I did have to call at&t because international texting/calling was not working, they did something and that now works. I have mobile share value 3gb + 3gb free rollover data. I leave my phone when I go walk my dog and I get iMessage and can make calls just fine.

Can you s/r SMS when your watch is connected to LTE and not connected to the iPhone?

 

[bsb7140]

Problem solved. SMS will now s/r over LTE. Apple called me today, installed some special software on my watch. Bam. It works... they also said a silent update was most likely pushed to fix this glitch (but didn't confirm).

 

[Blas]

Problem solved. SMS will now s/r over LTE. Apple called me today, installed some special software on my watch. Bam. It works... they also said a silent update was most likely pushed to fix this glitch (but didn't confirm).

well that's awesome, how do I get it now hahaha

 

[bsb7140]

well that's awesome, how do I get it now hahaha

Just try to see if it works... she wouldn't tell me if it was what they had me install on my watch that fixed it or if there was a silent update that was pushed. She was kind of coy about the whole thing.

 

[Blas]

got it, will test it out again today, if not I guess I'll need to call them, thanks

 

[Zune55]

I am well aware... you do not need to be tethered to the phone. The phone just needs to be on and connected to the network. In my case, the watch cannot s/r sms when away from phone and both devices on LTE. Both Apple and ATT say it should be working but for some reason it does not and they are unsure as to the reason.

My verizon LTE SMS are also not working when connected directly to LTE.