Devices
Smartwatch eSIM: Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch at home and abroad
How eSIM works on Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch, which watches to buy with eSIM, how to set up cellular with your carrier, and why a travel eSIM from your phone usually won’t go on a watch.
An eSIM on a smartwatch isn’t the same profile as on your phone: it’s a separate carrier service, usually linked to your phone number. It’s only available on cellular models: Apple Watch labeled GPS + Cellular and Galaxy Watch LTE. When you travel, a watch eSIM works on your carrier’s roaming terms, and a travel eSIM from your phone generally can’t be moved to the watch.
How does eSIM work on a smartwatch?
An eSIM in a smartwatch is a chip inside a cellular watch that your carrier loads a profile onto. Most often the profile is tied to your main number, so calls and messages reach both your phone and your watch, even if the phone stays at home.
The key difference from a phone is how you set it up. On a phone, an eSIM installs from a QR code from any compatible seller. On a watch, the profile is usually activated through the companion app on your phone and in agreement with your carrier. That’s why fewer carriers and plans support watches than phones.
| eSIM on a phone | eSIM on a watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues the profile | A carrier or an eSIM seller | Usually the carrier your number is with |
| How to install | QR code or the carrier’s app | Through the companion app and a carrier service |
| Phone number | Its own, or none if the plan is data-only | Usually the same as your phone, sometimes a separate one |
| Travel eSIM plan | Installs if the phone supports eSIM | As a rule, won’t install |
| Use abroad | Roaming or a travel eSIM | Your carrier’s roaming, if it’s available for watches |
Which smartwatches with eSIM should you buy?
Buying a smartwatch with eSIM means choosing the cellular version. The same watch model usually comes in two versions, and the price isn’t the only difference.
- Apple Watch: versions labeled GPS + Cellular. GPS-only versions work through your iPhone or Wi-Fi and have no eSIM.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch: LTE versions. Bluetooth versions without a cellular modem only work paired with a phone.
- Other Wear OS watches and kids’ watches can also have eSIM, but carrier support varies more widely.
- Cellular watches are made in versions for different regions. A version bought abroad may not work with your carrier.
- Choose the cellular version of the watch.
- Check compatibility with your phone: Apple Watch pairs with iPhone, Galaxy Watch with Android.
- Ask your carrier whether it supports eSIM for that watch model and on which plan.
- If you’re buying the watch abroad, ask your carrier whether that regional version will work.
How to set up eSIM on Apple Watch
eSIM on Apple Watch is set up in the Watch app on your iPhone, under Cellular. From there you activate a carrier service, usually from the same carrier as the number on your iPhone.
- Make sure the watch is a GPS + Cellular model and that both the iPhone and the watch are up to date.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to Cellular.
- Tap Set Up Cellular and follow your carrier’s instructions.
- If your carrier doesn’t support the service for watches, the app will tell you or suggest contacting them.
The exact menu path can differ between watchOS and iOS versions. For setting up eSIM on the iPhone itself, see our guide to eSIM on iPhone.
How to set up eSIM on Galaxy Watch
eSIM on an LTE Galaxy Watch is set up through the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone. Your carrier activates a profile for the watch on your number or as a separate line, depending on the services it offers.
- Make sure the watch is an LTE version and is connected to your phone in Galaxy Wearable.
- In Galaxy Wearable, open the watch settings and go to mobile plans or mobile network.
- Choose to add a plan and follow your carrier’s instructions.
- If your carrier gives you a QR code for the watch, scan it in the same section.
For more on eSIM on Galaxy phones, plus caveats about watches, see our guide to eSIM on Samsung.
Does a smartwatch eSIM work abroad?
A smartwatch eSIM works abroad only on your carrier’s roaming, and only if your carrier supports roaming for watches. According to Apple, with watchOS 9.1 or later, international roaming is available on cellular Apple Watch Series 5 and later, SE and Ultra models when the carrier supports it; it isn’t available on watches set up for a child through Family Setup. With Galaxy Watch, it’s also down to the carrier.
| How the watch connects on a trip | What works | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth to a phone with a travel eSIM | Notifications, messages, calls via the phone, fitness tracking | The phone needs to be nearby |
| Wi-Fi | Notifications and some features, if the watch knows the network | You need Wi-Fi available |
| Cellular on roaming | Calls and data without the phone | Roaming must be available for the watch; terms and cost are set by your carrier |
How to stay connected with your smartwatch abroad
The simplest setup is data on your phone and the watch paired over Bluetooth. A travel eSIM goes on your phone as a second line, your home SIM stays in, and the watch gets notifications and messages through the phone without using separate data.
Battery life matters too. Cellular on a watch drains the battery noticeably faster than running paired with a phone, and on roaming the watch searches for a network more often. If you can’t charge the watch every night on your trip, turn off cellular on it and stick to Bluetooth.
You can buy a MoreSim travel eSIM on the website or in the @moresim_bot Telegram bot; the QR code arrives in about 30 seconds, and the plan starts counting on its first connection in your destination. If you’re taking a tablet, an eSIM installs on it the same way as on a phone; see our guide to eSIM on tablets. For the other kinds of eSIM and how they differ, see our overview of eSIM types.
FAQ
How does eSIM work on a smartwatch?
An eSIM on a cellular smartwatch is a separate profile that your carrier activates, usually linked to your main phone number. The watch then gets calls, messages and data without your phone nearby. Not every carrier supports this, and not on every plan, so check the terms with your carrier.
Which smartwatches have eSIM?
eSIM comes in the cellular versions of smartwatches: for Apple Watch, the models labeled GPS + Cellular; for Galaxy Watch, the LTE versions. GPS-only or Bluetooth-only versions don’t have eSIM. Before buying, check that your carrier supports the model and that the watch is compatible with your phone.
Can I put a travel eSIM on my smartwatch?
As a rule, no. Travel eSIM plans are issued for phones, while a watch eSIM is activated as a separate carrier service tied to your number. On a trip, it’s easier to keep data on your phone and pair the watch to it over Bluetooth.
Does Apple Watch cellular work abroad?
It depends on the watch model and your carrier. According to Apple, with watchOS 9.1 or later, international roaming works on cellular Apple Watch Series 5 and later, SE and Ultra models if your carrier supports it, billed on your carrier’s terms. Before you travel, ask your carrier whether roaming is enabled for the watch and what it costs.
How do I set up eSIM on a Galaxy Watch?
On an LTE Galaxy Watch, eSIM is set up through the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone, in the watch’s mobile plans or mobile network section. Your carrier then activates a profile for the watch, either on your number or as a separate line. Check the terms and support for your specific model with the carrier.
Do I need eSIM on my watch when traveling?
Usually not. Paired with your phone over Bluetooth, a watch shows notifications, counts steps and takes calls, using data from the phone where your travel eSIM is installed. Cellular on the watch is handy for runs and walks without your phone, but abroad it only works on your carrier’s roaming.