Do Apple Watches Need A Sim Card? – [Answered]

Apple Watch offers many features for its users, something that makes it one of the best smartwatches in the world. The watch can be used in different situations, even in the shower. You can use it to track your workout, get directions, and much more. However, what some people don’t know is that the Apple Watch has two variants, with one offering only GPS functions and the other one having Celluar capabilities. 

Do Apple Watches Need A Sim Card?

Apple Watches do not have a slot for a physical Sim. Instead, they use an e-Sim. Because of this, you don’t need a Sim card for your Apple Watch. However, this is only for Celluar watches as the GPS variants don’t offer this luxury. 

What Is e-Sim?

A Sim card is a small chip that is placed inside the device’s Sim slot. Through it, your mobile phone gets connected to a mobile network, after which you can make calls or send messages to others with a Sim card. When Sim cards were first launched, their size was similar to a postage stamp. But with the passage of time, companies started making smaller Sim cards. And now, these Sim cards have gone digital, all thanks to e-Sim.

Mobile phones and other devices that come with an e-Sim slot don’t require you to get a physical sim. Instead, the sim card is soldered directly in the device’s board, and all you need to do is activate it. For those wondering, the e-Sim works the same as a normal Sim card, only that it has no physical presence. For most devices, you activate your e-Sim by going to the menu or by scanning a QR code through the camera of your device. 

While the concept of E-Sim sounds cool and all, there are a few downsides attached to it. For instance, if your device has an e-Sim slot, it will make it difficult for you to swap between different Sims. For regular Sim cards, all you need to do is take one out and insert the other one into the slot. But for e-Sims, you need to activate it every time you make a swap. However, with E-Sims, you don’t have to worry about losing your physical Sim card. This can happen a lot, especially if you travel a lot. 

How To Find Out If Your Apple Watch Has E-Sim Or Not?

If you purchase a new Apple Watch, the retailer will let you know whether the watch you are getting has Celluar capabilities or not. However, if you bought a used Apple Watch or are just finding out about the Cellular feature, then here’s how you can find out whether you can use an e-Sim with your watch or not. 

Check The Digital Crown

The quickest way of finding out whether your Apple Watch supports e-Sim or not is by taking a look at the digital crown. This is the watch’s side button that can be used for different tasks. If the digital crown has a red ring or dot, congratulations; you can use an e-Sim on it. But if it doesn’t, it means that your Apple Watch only has GPS capabilities. 

Check The Back 

Another method of finding out if you can use an e-Sim on your Apple Watch is by reading the information from the backside. On the back of your Apple Watch, you can find information such as the size and the series number of your watch. Furthermore, if your watch supports e-Sim, it will be written on the back.

Check The Model Number

The third and final method involves checking the model number online. To do this, you will need to follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Go to the General Settings of your Apple Watch.
2. Tap on the About section and score down to the “Model” section.
3. Tap on it, and you will see the exact model number of your watch.
4. Now, go to the official website of Apple and visit the page where you can check the model numbers of different Apple Watches. You can visit it by clicking here. 
5. In the search bar, enter the complete model number of your watch, and you will then see whether this model supports e-Sim or not.

How To Activate eSim on Apple Watch

To activate e-Sim on your Apple Watch, you first need to make sure that your device supports it. Apple Watch Series 3 and onwards allow users to use an e-Sim card. Then, you will need to check whether your carrier offers e-Sim or not. Most of the carriers do, but this depends on your country. 

To activate the e-Sim, follow the steps mentioned below. Make sure that your iPhone and the Apple Watch are running the latest iOS software.

1. Open the Apple Watch application on your iPhone and go to the “My Watch” tab.
2. Tap on “Celluar.” 
3. Now, follow the on-screen instructions and provide the required information.
4. Tap on Start after entering all the information.
5. After a few minutes, your Apple Watch will be connected to the cellular network.

Differences Between Apple Watch Celluar and GPS Variants

Following are some major differences between the Cellular and GPS variants of the Apple Watch. 

Is It Worth Getting an Apple Watch With E-Sim?

Apple Watch was originally meant to be something that can be used alongside your iPhone. However, with the introduction of the e-Sim, it can be used as a standalone device. If you own an Apple Watch that only has GPS, you will need to carry your iPhone around with it if you want to make or receive calls on your watch. But with an e-Sim-supported Apple Watch, you don’t have to worry about taking your iPhone everywhere you go. You can use your Apple Watch to make calls or send text messages and use mobile data without relying on your iPhone. 

Therefore, if you’re someone who uses your Apple Watch a lot to make calls or use other features that are normally not possible without having the iPhone around, then it will be wise to get the Cellular version. This will allow you to use your Apple Watch everywhere without having your iPhone around. 

Wrapping Up

This was all you need to know regarding the Sim card in Apple Watches. As you can see for yourself, getting an e-Sim-supported Apple Watch can save you from the hassle of carrying around your iPhone everywhere you go.

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