Kids Apple Watches

[SL74]

Hi

I am a pay monthly contract EE customer and have an iPhone contract and my own Apple Watch contract linked to my phone. I pay £7 a month for the watch contract. 

I’d like to buy my kids Apple Watches for Christmas and there is a great deal in Curry’s right now (£199 for the SE cellular). So, I’d like to bring 2 Apple Watches to my account. The kids don’t have phones, and we’re not ready for them to have them yet. Can I add these new Watches at £7 a month too and they have their own numbers and no phone associated?

Thanks

Simon

[Michael_D]

Hi @SL74 

Thanks for coming to the community.

An Apple Watch would need to have a iPhone for it to link to, and cannot have more than one watch linked to it, so if your kids don't have their own phones, they'd not work fully.

We do offer Family Plans on our Apple Watch contracts, but again it does need an iPhone for the watch to pair to, it just doesn't need to be on the same account or even EE.

The £7 per month plan for Apple Watches would need a mobile plan to attach it to, so if you already have one on your number, we'd not be able to add more to the same line, and they'd need to have their own iPhone line.

Michael

[SL74]

Hi

Thanks for the reply and information. The Apple information around watches for kids does seem to contradict you though:

https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-for-your-kids/

It says you can be the administrator for multiple kid's watches.

So, can EE offer a "Watch Only" tariff?

Thanks again

Simon

[Matt_124]

I believe what you're looking for is referred to as a "Family Watch Plan". I know EE sell the watches on these as well as Paired plans, but unsure if/how they can do the standalones as a "Watch SIM Only".

Either way it requires being set up on your iPhone first to connect it to you as the "controller" but then can be used with its own number and allowances independently.

See here under "EE Standalone Family Watch plan" : https://ee.co.uk/help/terms-and-conditions/mobile/smartwatch/smartwatch-plans 

Unsure of the method for adding this however, potentially you could be given the option to purchase it on the watch when setting up the Cellular under "Set up for a Family Member"?

Haven't encountered it myself.

Just make sure you don't add a "Paired" plan as this looks to link it to a number on your account.

Otherwise may need to get in contact with EE and see if they can add it for you using the watch details.

EDIT: They may also be referred to as "Unpaired" plans in certain places, the tariff names change frequently.

[moggymog]

Did you get this resolved? This is exactly what I need to do with two watches for the kids

[SL74]

Yes.

However, I’m going with a provider other than EE. Not sure what the etiquette is about advertising other companies on here 🤣

I’ve got a good few EE contracts and devices, but they weren’t making this easy and someone else was. 

On the official Apple page linked below it lists the UK providers who support “family setup”. There are only 2 providers. One is EE, and one is BetterRoaming. 

Hope this helps. 

[moggymog]

Brilliant - I’ll take a look and see what I can do

Thought for a minute I had some useless presents ready for Christmas day

[moggymog]

Sorry to hassle you again

Went with your idea of BetterRoaming but seem to have an issue calling the watches from a mobile (tried from EE and Tesco mobile). Landlines etc. go through ok and I can make calls ‘from’ the watch fine. SMS and FaceTime also work

Not asking you to solve the issue but just wondered if you did order the eSIMs from BR and if so, have you tested them yet?

[SL74]

Hi

I haven’t set them up yet. Was waiting for Xmas day. 

Hopefully a support call or email to BR will sort this? Certainly hope so! Would be good of you to keep me posted. 
Good luck!

[Sea5]

Hello, 

I am wondering how you got on with using Better Roaming for your children’s watches.  I am trying to work out how to connect my child’s new cellular Apple Watch, purchased from the Apple Store to a network provider. My child doesn’t have a phone but has an Apple ID.

I am with EE. When I phoned them today, I was told this wasn’t possible and the person seemed to have no knowledge of the family setup. 

Thanks.