How to Install an eSIM on Apple Watch | Oracces

How to Install an eSIM on Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 3 and later models (GPS + Cellular)

Welcome to Oracces! This guide helps you set up your eSIM on your Apple Watch. Apple Watch uses the eSIM from your paired iPhone, making the setup simple and fast.

Before You Start

Make sure the following requirements are met:

  • You have an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular (Series 3 or later)
  • Your Apple Watch is paired with a compatible iPhone
  • Your iPhone has iOS 16 or later
  • Your Apple Watch has watchOS 9 or later
  • You are connected to the Internet (WiFi recommended)
  • Your Apple Watch and iPhone are not carrier locked
⌚ Compatible Apple Watches: Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, SE, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Ultra, Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular models only, not GPS-only).
⚠️ Important: Apple Watch uses the same eSIM plan as your iPhone through the "cellular pairing" feature. You must first install the eSIM on your iPhone before setting up your Apple Watch.

Preliminary Step: Install the eSIM on Your iPhone

Apple Watch cannot install an eSIM independently. It shares your iPhone plan through cellular pairing.

1

Install the eSIM on Your iPhone

Before setting up your Apple Watch, you must first install your Oracces eSIM on your iPhone.

👉 Check our guide: How to Install an eSIM on iPhone

📱

iPhone
eSIM installed ✓

⟷
⌚

Apple Watch
To be configured

✅ eSIM installed on iPhone? Perfect! You can now set up your Apple Watch to use the cellular network.

Set Up Cellular on Apple Watch

Once the eSIM is installed on your iPhone, set up your Apple Watch to share this connection.

1

Open the Watch App on Your iPhone

On your iPhone, open the Watch app.

⌚

Watch App

Black icon with watch face

2

Go to Cellular Settings

In the Watch app:

  • Tap the My Watch tab
  • Tap Cellular

⌚ My Watch

⏰
General
›
📶
Cellular Network setup
›
🔔
Notifications
›
3

Enable Cellular

Enable Cellular if it is not already enabled.

Your Apple Watch will automatically detect and use your iPhone’s eSIM plan.

📶

Cellular

Active connection

✓ Connected

4

Automatic Setup

Apple Watch automatically sets up the cellular network using your iPhone’s eSIM.

  • Wait a few seconds for the setup
  • A confirmation message will appear
  • You will see signal bars on your watch
Setup in progress...

Connecting to the cellular network

✅ Setup complete! Your Apple Watch can now use the cellular network independently from your iPhone.

Check That Everything Works

To make sure your Apple Watch is properly set up:

Cellular Connection Test

  • Move your Apple Watch away from your iPhone (or disable Bluetooth on the iPhone)
  • Raise your wrist to wake your Apple Watch
  • Check that green dots appear at the top of the screen (indicating an active cellular connection)
  • Try sending a message or doing an activity that requires Internet

Green dots = Cellular active

Connection Indicators

🟢 Green dots: Your Apple Watch is connected to the cellular network
🔴 Red dot: Apple Watch disconnected from the network (out of coverage area or issue)
No dot: Apple Watch connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth
✅ Everything works! You can now use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby.

What You Can Do with Cellular

With your eSIM active on Apple Watch, you can:

  • Make and receive calls - Same number as your iPhone
  • Send and receive messages - iMessage and SMS
  • Use Siri - Searches and voice commands
  • Stream music - Apple Music, podcasts
  • Receive notifications - Apps, emails, calendar
  • Use apps - Weather, maps, news, etc.
  • Share your location - Find My, Maps
  • Make purchases - Apple Pay
💡 Battery saving: Cellular connection uses more battery. Disable it when you do not need it to extend your watch’s battery life.

Manage the Cellular Connection

Temporarily Enable/Disable Cellular

From your Apple Watch:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (Control Center)
  • Tap the Cellular icon (signal bars)
  • The icon turns gray when disabled, green when enabled

From the Watch app on iPhone:

  • Open the Watch app
  • Tap My Watch > Cellular
  • Disable Cellular

Track Data Usage

  • On iPhone: Watch > My Watch > Cellular
  • View cellular data usage
  • Check which apps use the most data

Common Issues and Solutions

⌚ No cellular connection on Apple Watch

Solutions to try:

  • Check that the eSIM is properly installed and active on your iPhone
  • Check that cellular is enabled in the Watch app
  • Restart your Apple Watch and your iPhone
  • Make sure you are in a network coverage area
  • Check that your plan supports Apple Watch pairing

🔴 Persistent red dot on Apple Watch

The red dot indicates that the watch cannot connect:

  • Check that roaming is enabled on your iPhone (if abroad)
  • Disable and then re-enable cellular on the watch
  • Unpair and then re-pair your Apple Watch
  • Contact our support if the issue persists

📞 Unable to make/receive calls

Checks:

  • On iPhone: Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices
  • Enable Allow Calls
  • Check that your Apple Watch is in the list
  • Make sure cellular is active on the watch

🔋 Battery drains quickly

Battery optimization:

  • Disable cellular when you do not need it
  • Limit audio streaming over cellular
  • Disable unnecessary background apps
  • Enable Power Saving Mode for long outings

⚠️ "Set Up Cellular" does not appear

This message may appear if:

  • Your Apple Watch is a GPS-only model (not GPS + Cellular)
  • Your iPhone does not have an eSIM installed
  • Your carrier does not support Apple Watch pairing
  • Your Apple Watch is carrier locked

Use Your Apple Watch Abroad

⚠️ Important: To use your Apple Watch with the Oracces eSIM abroad, roaming must be enabled on your iPhone.

Apple Watch automatically uses your iPhone’s roaming settings.

Enable Roaming

  • On iPhone: Settings > Cellular Data
  • Select your Oracces line
  • Enable Data Roaming
  • Your Apple Watch will automatically use roaming

Thank you for choosing Oracces!

Enjoy your freedom with Apple Watch 🌍⌚