Apple Watch: setting up cellular - here's how

If you have an Apple Watch Cellular, it has a built-in chip for using cellular. This allows you to make calls with the Apple Watch even without an iPhone nearby. First, however, you need to set up the cellular feature.

How to set up the cellular feature on the Apple Watch

If you own an Apple Watch that supports cellular in addition to GPS, you have the option to make calls with the smartwatch without your iPhone. Available is the cellular function so far on the Apple Watch Series 3, the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Apple Watch Series 5.

1. If you have not activated cellular during the setup of the watch, you can make up for this via the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.
2. Open the app for this first and navigate to "My Watch" > "Cellular".
3. Tap then on "Configure cellular" and follow the further instructions on the screen.
4. Since the Cellular variants of the Apple Watch have an eSIM, the use of a SIM card is not necessary for the use of cellular.

How to establish a cellular connection on the Apple Watch

Have you activated the use of cellular, the Apple Watch automatically establishes a connection to an available network. Usually, the Apple Watch uses an LTE connection for this and only resorts to UTMS if it is not available. To check whether a cellular connection exists and to check its signal strength, either open the Apple Watch's Control Center or switch to the Discover watch face.