Apple Watch Cellular Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Apple Watch is available in two variants: Wi-Fi only and cellular. While both deliver the same core smartwatch experience, the cellular version adds true independence. With a cellular Apple Watch, you can make and receive calls, send messages, stream music, and use apps even when your iPhone is not nearby.

This convenience is what makes the cellular Apple Watch so appealing, especially if you are trying to reduce screen time. However, when cellular stops working, the experience breaks instantly. You may see “No Service,” stuck activation, missing signal bars, or apps that refuse to load without Wi-Fi.

This guide explains why Apple Watch cellular stops working and shares the most effective ways to fix it.

Understanding Apple Watch Cellular Connectivity

An Apple Watch cellular model looks similar to and functions almost identically to a Wi-Fi–only model. The key difference is that the cellular model includes eSIM (embedded SIM) technology. When activated, it mirrors your iPhone number through your carrier. Calls and messages reach your watch on the same number, even though it connects to the network independently.

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Apple designed the watch to automatically switch between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. When your iPhone is nearby, Bluetooth is used to conserve battery life. If Wi-Fi is available, the watch connects to it next. Cellular is used only when the other connections are unavailable.

How Apple Watch Cellular Works

Apple Watch cellular runs on an embedded eSIM that your carrier activates during setup. Activation happens through the Watch app on iPhone and links your watch to a wearable plan on your account.

For cellular to work properly, you must meet these requirements:

• You own a GPS + Cellular Apple Watch model.
• Your carrier supports Apple Watch cellular in your region.
• An active wearable plan is added to the watch.
• Your iPhone is powered on and signed in.

Once activated, you can check cellular status from Control Center on your Apple Watch:

• Green dots mean the watch is actively connected to a cellular network.
• White icons indicate cellular is available but not currently in use.
• A red dot or no bars usually signals a connection or activation issue.

Check out: All Apple Watch Icons and Symbols Meanings Explained

Common Symptoms of Cellular Issues

Apple Watch cellular problems usually appear in predictable ways:

• No signal bars or a message saying the plan is not in use.
• The cellular icon stays white or keeps loading without turning green.
• Calls or messages fail when the iPhone is powered off or far away.
• Cellular repeatedly disconnects, even in strong coverage areas.
• Restarting helps temporarily, but the issue returns.

Troubleshooting Apple Watch Cellular Not Working

Follow these steps in order to identify the cause and restore connectivity.

1. Check Whether Your Apple Watch Supports Cellular

This is a common oversight. Only models labeled GPS + Cellular support mobile networks. If your watch is GPS only, you will not see cellular signal bars or activation options.

To confirm:

1. Open the Watch app on iPhone,
2. Tapping My Watches in the top left corner.
3. Tap the “i” next to your watch.
4. checking the model information.
   

2. Restart Both the Apple Watch and iPhone

Temporary network registration errors can often be fixed by restarting both devices. Restarting clears minor bugs and glitches that may disrupt cellular service.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode on the Watch

If restarting does not help, try toggling Airplane Mode to force the watch to reconnect to the network:

1. Press the Side button to open the Control Center.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode Control Center icon to turn it on.
3. Wait for a few seconds, then tap the icon again to turn the Airplane mode off.
   

This refreshes the cellular radio and often restores connectivity.

4. Verify Cellular Coverage in Your Area

Apple Watch has a smaller antenna than an iPhone. Because of this, it may struggle in areas with weak signal strength. Move to a location with better coverage and test again.

5. Check Your Data Usage

If you have been using your Apple Watch independently for most of the day and cellular suddenly stops working, you may have reached your carrier’s data allowance. Some carriers temporarily restrict data or throttle speeds after the limit is reached.

Check usage details in the Watch app on your iPhone or in your carrier account to confirm that the plan is still active.

6. Verify Your Cellular Plan and eSIM Activation

Most Apple Watch cellular issues trace back to incomplete or failed eSIM activation.

1. Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone.
2. Make sure you are on the My Watch tab.
3. Tap Cellular.
4. If you see “Set Up Cellular,” your watch does not have an active plan.
5. If the status shows Activating for a long time, the carrier provisioning is stuck.
   

7. Remove and Re-add Your Cellular Plan

If provisioning appears stuck, remove the existing plan instead of waiting:

1. Remove the cellular plan in the Watch app.
2. Restart both the Apple Watch and iPhone.
3. Re-add the cellular plan.
4. Keep both devices connected to Wi-Fi for at least 10 minutes.

In most cases, activation completes successfully unless there is a carrier-side issue.

8. Check Cellular Status on Apple Watch

Once activation is confirmed in the Watch app, verify it directly on the watch:

1. Open Settings → Cellular.
2. Connected means the watch is registered on the network.
3. No Connection means the eSIM is not correctly provisioned.
   

Also, check Control Center and confirm the cellular icon is green.

9. Check for Carrier Settings Updates

Carrier updates control how eSIM devices authenticate on the network.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → General → About.
2. Wait for a few seconds.
3. If a carrier update prompt appears, install it.

Restart both devices after updating.

10. Unpair and Re-pair the Apple Watch

If nothing works, unpairing and re-pairing the Apple Watch is the final step. This erases the watch and triggers a fresh eSIM setup, which often resolves stubborn activation issues.

11. Contact Your Carrier if Activation Keeps Failing

If cellular still does not work, contact your carrier and ask them to confirm:

• The Apple Watch line is active
• The wearable add-on plan is properly provisioned.
• The eSIM EID is registered correctly.
• There are no pending activations or outages.

When Should You Contact Apple Support?

If cellular still does not work after troubleshooting and your carrier confirms there is no issue on their end, contact Apple Support. At this point, the problem is unlikely to be related to settings or plan activation.

Apple Support can run diagnostics, check for known watchOS issues, and determine whether a software fix or hardware inspection is required.

Connectivity Restored

While Apple Watch cellular issues can be frustrating, most fixes come down to three things: confirming the correct model, activating the eSIM properly, and keeping software and carrier settings up to date. In most cases, cellular connectivity is restored without replacing the watch or visiting a service center.

Need help with another Apple Watch issue? Leave a comment and we will respond promptly.

Read more:

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