Apple E-Sim Plan only for child's watch

[JDN01]

We have purchased an Apple Watch SE GPS + Celluar for our son. For safety reasons, we would like to add an e-sim to his watch so we are able to track his live location.

Please can somebody explain the process? Can an e-sim be loaded directly to his watch (he doesn't have a phone). 

Or would the e-sim need to be first added to my phone and then connected to the apple watch?

Finally, is it possible for both his dad and I to track his live location from our phones? If so, please can this also be explained. 

[Matt_124 · Accepted solution]

As far as the e-SIM is concerned, it would be a "Standalone Watch Plan", sometimes referred to as a "Standalone Watch Family Plan", that you would need. This gives the Watch its own number and data allowance, allowing it to be used independently of a phone. If you were to call EE Customer Services and enquire about this, they may be able to set it up on your account. It is not a very common thing, and isn't openly advertised or available for purchase online as a 'SIM Only' hence my use of the word "may". It is more commonly sold with watches purchased from EE directly.

It should be £7pm and on a 30-day rolling contract. They would likely need the EID number from the watch to pair this, which can be found on the box or possibly in the settings of the watch.

The more common e-SIM in the case of watches is the "Paired Watch Plan" but that needs to paired to an EE Pay Monthly number and would receive calls and texts destined for that number. That solution would not suit your needs.

As for the tracking, I would assume that can be done using Find My through the Apple ecosystem and an Apple ID, although I am fuzzy on the details of that and whether it will fully suit what you're looking to achieve.

[Rfd527]

Thanks this is really helpful as I am in the same position. 

I’m curious as to how we can determine how many minutes or texts there will be included in this £7pm plan? Are there any at all or is it all only calls and texts using Internet data?

If it is only available using data, how would my son be able to text his Dad on an Android phone without having something like WhatsApp (which was don’t want him to have)?
I have an iPhone so I’m guessing iMessages and calls will still work, but only when there is Internet reception? 

Also, will it always only ever be £7pm or could it increase? If so, are there ways to put limits on it? Thanks. 

[Peter_W]

Hey there @Rfd527.

Welcome to the Community

Our Apple Watch plans just include data, and aren't designed for standalone calling and texting.

Whilst they can access some call and text features, Apple Watches are largely designed to work alongside a phone rather than as a direct replacement for one.

In most cases people pair these with their existing phone, and when in proximity they would connect via Bluetooth and use the phone's normal allowances. 

In my case I use the watch data to stream music and take the odd call when I'm out running, but this is linked to my main phone plan and number so still share those allowances for everything bar data use.

There isn't a dedicated WhatsApp app for these, and whilst they can send SMS messages, this wouldn't be included in the allowance.

iMessage would still work and he could technically set up a profile for this, but if you want a means for him to communicate with you and his dad, a dedicated phone is always going to be the best option. 

Peter