Your Smart Watch has had a problem downloading the eSIM

[xxchristenxx]

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I received my new Apple Watch 9 series today, all set up fine but won’t allow me to add my data plan, I bought the cellular model on purpose so I could leave my phone at home and still receive texts and calls. Now I am getting this message repeatedly: 

“Your Smart Watch has had a problem downloading the eSIM, click "Done" below to try the download again.

It can take up to 4 hours. Your phone will notify you when the activation is complete.”

I have tried resetting the Apple Watch to factory settings,  pairing it again, resetting my phone and watch, I have tried it with the wifi off on both devices and on but nothing is working. 4 hours has passed like it says on the error message, 

I see many posts from people in a similar position and it’s not being sorted. But I am not about to be paying for a data plan for my watch that I can’t use.

EDIT TO ADD: both my phone (iPhone 14 pro max) and watch (9 series) have latest updates installed, both are through EE on the same account. Also my previous Apple Watch which I upgraded from (7 series) had no problems like this and was connected to my data plan just fine, I have reset that device to factory settings and removed the data plan. 

Help would be appreciated. 

Christen 

[Chris_B]

@xxchristenxx  just to check you are a contract customer ? 

[xxchristenxx]

Yes that’s correct 

[Chris_B]

@xxchristenxx  Have you called customer services about this ?    You might of seen many posts about this on here but in reality it’s very few who have an issue.  People don’t come here when it works to say it’s working.  

[xxchristenxx]

I haven’t called EE yet, I didn’t think they’d be open this late. I have seen a few people who have had success but not many. I have been trawling the internet for ages looking for a solution and I’ve tried everything I’ve come across so far. 

I thought I’d post here and see if there was any solutions available before I call tomorrow 

[xxchristenxx · Accepted solution]

How I got it sorted if anyone has similar problems -

Called EE, the lady on the phone took my watch’s EID number, made sure it wasn’t connected to any other accounts, deregistered the watch’s data plan number, set up the data plan again, connected it to my phone number and all sorted. If you have this issue you will need to call EE. 

Thank you Chris B for your direction.

[trial812]

@xxchristenxx thanks for posting what EE managed to fix for you. I’ve copied that text off to a note to hopefully use. 
My stuff has been reset three times so far and no joy, so I’m going to read out your text word for word tomorrow in case it helps. Ta. 

[Bhamraju]

I am having the same issue. I have a iPhone 15 pro max and an Apple Watch series 10. I can’t get the data plan acitivated. I have spoken to EE who have replaced my EID and went through several trouble shooting but still not working. Both my watch and phone are on the latest firmware update. EE have escalated it to level 2 technical support but they still have not got it sorted yet. I’m thinking about giving the watch back as without a data plan it’s practically useless to me. I’m still within my 2 weeks return policy. I’ve had several watches with EE before and never had an issue. Looks like I’m paying for something which I’m not getting. Very disappointed with EE. I’ve managed to do some research and seen many people were complaining about the same problem. If anyone has a solution please let me know.

[Leanne_T]

Hi there @Bhamraju 

Thanks for coming here. 

I am sorry you have been unable to get the watch connected and you have done the right thing letting us know so this can be referred to the correct team. 

Our technical support team will be in touch with you once they have looked into what could be causing the problem and to help you get this sorted. 

Please keep us updated with how you get on. 

Leanne.