How to set up mobile service on an Apple Watch

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open the Watch app on the iPhone, tap My Watch, then Mobile Service (Cellular in some regions), and tap Set Up Mobile Service. Follow the steps of your network. You need a watch with GPS + Cellular and a plan from the same network as your iPhone.

With its own mobile connection, an Apple Watch can make calls, send messages and stream music while the iPhone stays at home. This needs the cellular model of the watch and an extra plan from your network, which usually costs a monthly fee.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Check the requirements

    The watch must be a GPS + Cellular model, and the iPhone and the watch must use the same network. Ask the network whether your plan supports a watch. Prepaid and business plans are often excluded.

  2. Update both devices

    Install the latest iOS and watchOS. Stay inside your network's coverage during the set-up.

  3. My WatchNotificationsApp ViewMobile ServiceGeneral

    Open the Watch app on the iPhone

    Tap the My Watch tab, then Mobile Service. In some regions the entry is called Cellular.

  4. Tap Set Up Mobile Service

    The page of your network opens. Sign in to your account there and add the watch plan.

  5. Wait for activation

    The network activates the plan. This can take a few minutes.

  6. Check the connection

    Press the side button on the watch to open Control Centre. The mobile button turns green when the watch is connected through the mobile network, and green bars show the signal strength.

Good to know

The watch uses the mobile network only when the iPhone and known Wi-Fi are out of reach. Next to the iPhone it stays connected through the phone, which saves battery.

To remove the plan, open My Watch, Mobile Service, tap the i next to the plan and choose Remove Plan. Then cancel the watch plan with your network as well. Removing it from the watch does not stop the fee.

Abroad, the watch only works on the mobile network if your network supports roaming for watches and it is switched on under Settings, Mobile Service, Data Roaming on the watch.

If you chose not to set this up when you first paired the watch, nothing is lost. See how to pair an Apple Watch with an iPhone.

In short: GPS + Cellular watch, same network as the iPhone, Watch app, My Watch, Mobile Service, Set Up Mobile Service.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Set up cellular on Apple Watch

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.