topic Re: Apple Watch and roaming in Apple Devices

Apple Watch and roaming

Dingerdoidge1 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:47:02 GMT

Do I need to pay for roaming on my Apple Watch 6 or does it share my phone roaming?

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Schockwave — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:58:52 GMT

Welcome to the community,

There is no data for Apple Watch for roaming, you need to have your phone near you for the watch to work when roaming, as it uses the bluetooth to connect.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

StevenT — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:03:17 GMT

Why does roaming not work with Apple Watch Ultra? Apple’s website seems to suggest it requires the carrier to support VoLTE, and EE’s website seems to suggest it does.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Chris_B — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:15:46 GMT

@StevenT You can not roam with the Apple Watch. While apples website says you can it also has to be supported by the network and as of yet it’s not supported. EEs website says it does support it as that’s basically 4G and it’s not mentioning roaming.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Schockwave — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 10:32:50 GMT

@StevenT , the Apple Watch will work abroad, so long as you have your mobile near so that it connects via bluetooth, just will not work on its own when abroad.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Clawzskunk — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:29:19 GMT

I think what you mean to say is that EE don’t do data roaming on the Apple Watch. It certainly is an option with other cellular providers and the watch is very capable of enabling roaming on the right networks, especially with the cellular models.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

rysongs — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:27:50 GMT

Can @EE please resolve this?
We spent a lot of money on our cellular Apple Watches which so in fact now support roaming and it’s been a year already.

We want to be able to roam with our Apple Watches, staying connected and reachable while leaving our iPhones behind in the room while on holiday in Europe!

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Christopher_G — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:34:35 GMT

Thanks @rysongs

This isn't something that we currently offer for Apple Watch devices, the plan only works in the UK.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this though.

Chris

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

StevenT — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:48:29 GMT

Chris is there any update on when EE will be able to provide roaming?

It’s not really made clear anywhere pre-sale that this is functionality that EE is blocking, which doesn’t feel very fair for customers to first discover this when they’re on holiday, and then to have to delve into the forums for an answer.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Christopher_G — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:56:27 GMT

I don't have any further information at the moment, @StevenT

Chris

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Luca-B — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 20:37:45 GMT

Disappointing, especially after I specifically asked to my local EE shop before buying the watch and been told it would

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Leanne_T — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:35:00 GMT

Hi @Luca-B

I am sorry to hear you have been advised this in the store, you’ll still be able to use most of the features when roaming if the watch is connected to your phone via Bluetooth.

Leanne,

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

MTB-SNOW — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:22:38 GMT

Bit disappointing, poor even, when the whole point of a cellular enabled watch is that you don’t have to have your phone with you.
The lack of roaming let me down mountain biking in the Alps this week (when I didn’t want to carry my phone on the trails).
I expect EE’s lack of roaming for the Apple Watch Ultra will let me down again if I go skiing this year.
Get it together EE.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Chris_B — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:40:31 GMT

@MTB-SNOW The watch type you have has no bearing on whether it can roam or not. At present no smart watch with EE has the possibility to roam. All smart watches are sold with UK usage only. And if/when EE actually get round to allowing this there’s probably going to be a cost involved as your phone tariff add on is just for that phone. EE do really need to sort this and I couldn’t agree more.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Cornscot21 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:46:50 GMT

Hi @Christopher_G ,

could you please update on the latest position as I have an Apple Watch Ultra and I was led to believe that would work with data roaming abroad without being tied to the associated mobile. On an All-in sim plan with roaming ad the add on. Thanks.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Katie_B — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:50:38 GMT

Hi @Cornscot21.

We don't currently have any further update here on the community.

Katie

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

AAA1000 — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:16:56 GMT

We are having the same issue and it’s really frustrating, we were not made aware of this before buying 3 Apple Watches on EE contracts a few weeks ago.

There must be a solution, even if it means switching to another network - it does not seem reasonable to buy Apple Watches on EE contracts and then be prevented from using their normal functionality in Europe. This has to be sorted one way or another.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Chris_B — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:50:27 GMT

@AAA1000 Did you ask if they can be used abroad? As it’s not advertised it can be.

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Clawzskunk — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 15:15:58 GMT

Cellular connection and roaming is a base function of the watch. Buying a cellular model of the watch also suggests that you’re going to be using it for either calls or data while not with your phone.

As far as I’m aware, all other data plans on e-sim roam in other countries, such as the eSIM attached to my iPad.

Ultimately if you’re going to sell something that is designed to not need a phone, but that requires cellular access, then it’s reasonable to highlight its limitations prior to sale.

The real question on most people’s lips is “why doesn’t it roam?”. It’s an eSIM (the same as that attached to my iPad). It’s certainly capable of doing it and other providers / countries do it, so why doesn’t EE?

Re: Apple Watch and roaming

Chris_B — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 15:25:29 GMT

@Clawzskunk Because it’s sold as UK usage only and not asking if it can be used on a roaming network is down to the purchaser to ask other than that it’s just an assumption it’ll work.
Roaming is not contractual it’s optional and optional doesn’t mean it has to be supported. (just like 3 way calling, devices can support the feature it doesn’t mean a network has too) Yes it’s down to the end user if they want to purchase an add on to allow this to work but at present it’s simply not supported so no add on is sold to allow this to work abroad. It’s not just EE it’s the roaming network that have to allow your watch to connect and EE have to setup an agreement with roaming networks.