Watch loses LTE connectivity intermittently

[dokindo]

I have a series 3 on Tmobile with an iPhone X, both on the latest software.

Frequently, but not always, when I leave the phone at home and am out with my watch, I don't have any LTE connectivity and there is the red X at the top of the watch home screen. Sometimes, rebooting the watch helps, but many times that does nothing.

I erased the watch and restored, but still having the same issue.

I called Apple and they say to call Tmobile, who I am sure will ask me to call Apple.

Any ideas?

 

[CobraPA]

Take the phone to the same places and see how much signal you have? The watch will only connect when LTE is available and there is a fairly strong signal. (It also takes a little time to connect, so you should wait about 30 seconds before assuming it won't connect after you move around.)

 

[rugmankc]

To add to CobraPA, if your iPhone LTE is good I would look at replacing watch. Radio may be bad. Maybe have someone take pic of both at same time for Apple to see.

 

[dokindo]

Thanks- it’s not a signal issue. I notice it mostly when I’m at the gym, where there’s excellent phone reception. Will take it to Genius Bar.

 

[CobraPA]

Could be the Watch then... Is it strong LTE at the gym, or just strong phone reception? You can have strong signal, but no LTE, then the watch won’t connect.

 

[MJ22]

This seems like a silly fix but sometimes when mine does this, it helps to just toggle cellular off and on again.

 

[dave006]

While not really a fix it is faster to toggle LTE Off/On than reboot the watch. Is it possible your watch is trying to connect to the Gym's Wi-Fi?

Try disabling Wi-Fi on your watch when at the Gym and see what happens.

Dave

 

[dokindo]

While not really a fix it is faster to toggle LTE Off/On than reboot the watch. Is it possible your watch is trying to connect to the Gym's Wi-Fi?

Try disabling Wi-Fi on your watch when at the Gym and see what happens.

Dave

Thank you! It seems to have been indeed an issue with the gym WiFi.

I disabled it, and the watch connected immediately to cellular. When I got back to my phone, I then “forgot” the gym WiFi. Next time at the gym, the watch connected to LTE automatically.

The gym WiFi doesn’t have a splash/accept screen, but clearly was causing issues for the watch. I know the phone has WiFi assist, maybe the watch could benefit similarly?