Apple Watch series 6 cellular when I have an unlimited phone contract

[laiddridi]

Hi,

I currently have an all unlimited EE plan with an iphone12 pro max.

I am thinking of purchasing an apple watch series 6 but struggle to understand what I can or cannot do - here are a few questions to be treated separately:

 1) In the case of a paired plan, am I able to use the cellular functions of the watch if my phone is not at range. E.G.: If i go for a run and leave my phone in the house/car, will I still be able to receive/give cellular calls and texts. The contract says that data will be used from the separate allowance but doesn't specify for the calls and texts. To me it is essential that a watch with cellular functions would work on its own (without the need to have the phone constantly with me).

2) Is it necessary to have an additional plan for the watch to work? I mean, I have an unlimited plan with my mobile, so theoretically what would I need to purchase an additional plan for if I can share it with my watch?

3) What would be the best considering the watch is for my personal use and considering I have an unlimited mobile plan? the family plan or the personal paired plan? Struggle to see the difference, except a separate number.

4) If I buy my watch from a third supplier, what is the monthly cost if I want to pair it with my mobile (unlimited) plan (assuming it is necessary to have the cellular functions working)?

In advance, thanks for your answers.

[MikeR]

Here are some answers based on my own experience with my iPhone paired with a cellular Apple Watch bought directly from Apple, and a separate watch data plan from EE:

1. Yes. On a cellular plan you can do everything you mention via the Apple Watch without you having your paired iPhone near you. However, to receive SMS, MMS or push notifications from third-party apps on your cellular Apple Watch, your paired iPhone must be turned on and connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile network, but it doesn't need to be nearby. You also need to be signed in to iMessage on your iPhone.

2. If you want to use your watch when you don’t have your phone nearby you need a separate cellular plan. However, if you always have your phone with you and connected to your watch via Bluetooth then there is no need for a separate plan - the watch uses your iPhone plan as its data source. When your phone is near, the watch defaults to this connection or to wifi. If you always have your phone with you, you could save money on the watch by buying a GPS version rather than a GPS/Cellular version. 

3. I have a personal paired plan with a separate number for my watch. Even though the watch plan is on the same account as my phone it’s completely separate and I’m not able to gift data from my phone contract to my watch if I run out. The separate number seems to be for account identification purposes only - when anyone rings my mobile number my watch shows the call too, whether my phone is nearby or not.

4. My watch data plan is an older one that EE no longer offer. I believe it now costs £7 a month for 10GB of data, and this increases at the end of March each year by the same percentage as most other EE charges.

Hope this is helpful.

[laiddridi]

Hi MikeR,

This is extremely helpful, thanks so much to take the time and address my questions very specifically!

Very much appreciated!

Best regards,

L