Adding an Apple Watch to your Verizon plan allows you to stay connected, make calls, send messages, and stream music directly from your wrist, even when your iPhone isn't nearby. It's a fantastic way to enhance your mobile freedom and convenience. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of getting your Apple Watch up and running on Verizon!
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch?
If you've just unboxed a brand-new cellular Apple Watch, or you're looking to enable cellular on an existing one, you're in the right place! We'll walk through everything you need to know to get your Apple Watch connected to Verizon's network.
Before You Begin: Essential Checks and Preparations
Before you start the activation process, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure a smooth setup.
Your Apple Watch Must Be a Cellular Model: This guide is specifically for Apple Watch models that support cellular connectivity (GPS + Cellular). GPS-only models cannot connect to a cellular network independently.
Compatible iPhone Required: Your Apple Watch needs to be paired with a compatible iPhone (typically iPhone 6s or later, running the latest iOS version). The iPhone and Apple Watch generally need to be on the same carrier to utilize Number Share (sharing your iPhone's number).
Latest Software Updates: Ensure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, respectively. Outdated software can often lead to activation issues.
To check iPhone iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
To check Apple Watch watchOS: Open the Watch app on your iPhone > General > Software Update.
My Verizon App Access: Make sure you have the My Verizon app installed on your iPhone and that you can sign in as an Account Owner or Account Manager. This is crucial for managing your plan and adding devices.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Enabled: Keep Bluetooth enabled on your iPhone, and ensure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are charged and in close proximity to each other. A stable Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone can also aid in the process.
Account Eligibility: Not all Verizon plans are eligible for Number Share or standalone Apple Watch lines. Prepaid accounts and some older accounts might not be supported. If you have an enterprise or corporate plan, check with your company or Verizon directly.
Unpair Previous Watch (If Applicable): If you're replacing an old Apple Watch, make sure you've unpaired it from your iPhone and removed its cellular plan. This prevents conflicts.
Step 1: Pair Your Apple Watch with Your iPhone
This is the foundational step. If your Apple Watch is already paired, you can skip to Step 2.
Power On Your Apple Watch: Press and hold the Side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown) until you see the Apple logo.
Open the Watch App on Your iPhone: Locate and tap the Watch app icon on your iPhone's home screen.
Start Pairing:
If this is your first Apple Watch, tap Start Pairing.
If you already have a watch paired, tap All Watches at the top left, then tap Add Watch.
Align and Pair: An animation will appear on your Apple Watch. Hold your iPhone over the watch so the watch face is centered in the iPhone's viewfinder. Your iPhone will detect the watch and display "Your Apple Watch is Paired."
If the animation doesn't appear or pairing fails, tap Pair Apple Watch Manually on your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions, which usually involve entering a code displayed on your watch.
Set Up as New or Restore from Backup:
If it's a brand new watch or you want a fresh start, select Set Up as New Apple Watch.
If you're upgrading from a previous Apple Watch, choose Restore from Backup and select your desired backup.
Wrist Selection and Terms & Conditions: Choose which wrist you'll wear the watch on (Left or Right) and then review and Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Sign in with Apple ID: Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This is necessary for features like Digital Touch, Apple Pay, and Find My.
Create a Passcode (Optional but Recommended): You'll be prompted to create a passcode for your Apple Watch. This is highly recommended, especially for Apple Pay.
Sync Apps and Settings: You can choose to Install All compatible apps from your iPhone or Choose Later. Your iPhone will also ask to share settings like Location Services and Siri with your watch.
Wait for Syncing: Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together until you receive an alert on both devices that syncing is complete. This can take some time.
Step 2: Set Up Cellular Service with Verizon
Once your watch is paired, it's time to connect it to Verizon's network. This is often initiated during the initial setup but can also be done later.
Sub-heading: Activating During Initial Setup
If you're setting up a new cellular Apple Watch, you'll likely see the option to set up cellular during the pairing process.
Look for "Set Up Cellular": After syncing, your iPhone will present a "Set Up Cellular" screen. Tap this option.
Sign in to My Verizon: You'll be redirected to a Verizon login page within the Watch app.
Enter your My Verizon username (usually your phone number) and password.
Crucially, you must be logged in as an Account Owner or Account Manager. If you're not, you might encounter activation errors.
If you haven't registered for My Verizon, tap I Need to Register and follow the prompts.
Plan Compatibility Check: Verizon will perform checks to ensure your current price plan is compatible with Number Share (the service that allows your Apple Watch to share your iPhone's number).
If your plan isn't eligible, an error will display. You may need to upgrade your plan or contact Verizon customer service.
Confirm 911 Address: You'll be prompted to enter or confirm your 911 address. This is important for emergency services. Ensure the state is abbreviated (e.g., "NY" for New York).
Review and Agree to Terms: Read the Verizon Wireless Customer Agreement and tap Confirm or Activate now.
"Cellular Is Ready" / "Device Added": Once the activation is successful, you'll see a "Cellular Is Ready" or "Device Added" screen. Tap OK or Continue.
Sub-heading: Activating Cellular After Initial Setup
If you skipped the cellular setup initially or are activating an existing cellular Apple Watch, you can do it anytime through the Watch app.
Open the Watch App: On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
Navigate to Cellular: Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom, then tap Cellular.
Add a New Plan or Set Up Cellular:
If you haven't set up cellular yet, you'll see Set Up Cellular. Tap this.
If you see an existing plan (even if inactive), you might need to tap Add a New Plan or, if troubleshooting, tap the information "i" icon next to your current plan and choose Remove [carrier] Plan before trying to add it again.
Follow On-Screen Prompts: The steps from here will be similar to the "Activating During Initial Setup" section:
Sign in to My Verizon.
Confirm plan compatibility.
Enter/confirm 911 address.
Agree to terms.
Confirm activation.
Step 3: Verify Cellular Connection
Once you've completed the activation steps, it's essential to confirm that your Apple Watch is successfully connected to Verizon's cellular network.
Check Control Center on Apple Watch:
Swipe up from the bottom of your Apple Watch face to open Control Center.
Look for the Cellular button (it looks like a cellular tower).
If it's green, your Apple Watch has a cellular connection. The green bars will indicate signal strength.
If it's white, your watch is connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to your iPhone.
Check Watch App on iPhone:
Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to My Watch > Cellular.
Under "Cellular Plan," you should see your Verizon plan listed as "Connected" or "Active." You can also see your mobile data usage here.
Test the Connection (Without iPhone Nearby):
Turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone.
Place your iPhone in Airplane Mode, or simply leave it in another room.
On your Apple Watch, try making a call, sending an iMessage (to another iMessage user), or asking Siri a question that requires internet access. If these actions work, your cellular connection is active!
Troubleshooting Common Activation Issues
Sometimes, things don't go perfectly. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
"Carrier Does Not Currently Support Apple Watch": This often means your iPhone's carrier settings need to be updated. Go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone and wait a few seconds to see if an update prompt appears.
"Something Went Wrong" or "Pairing Not Allowed" Errors:
Check Screen Time Restrictions: Some users have found that Screen Time restrictions on web content on the iPhone can interfere with the Watch app's ability to access Verizon's website for activation. Try temporarily disabling web content restrictions (Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Unrestricted Access) during activation, then re-enable them.
Account Role: Ensure you are logged into My Verizon as an Account Owner or Manager. Sub-accounts or limited access accounts may not have the necessary permissions.
IMEI Not in Verizon System: If you bought your Apple Watch from a retailer other than Verizon (even Apple directly), sometimes the watch's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) might not be immediately in Verizon's system, leading to activation issues. In such cases, you might need to call Verizon customer support and specifically ask for Tier 2 technical support or for an "engineering ticket" to be created to manually add the IMEI to their database. This has been a reported solution for many users.
"Your Device is Not Eligible for Pairing": This could indicate your current Verizon plan isn't compatible with Number Share, or there's an issue with the specific line you're trying to add the watch to. Contact Verizon to confirm your plan's eligibility.
Watch Stuck on "Activating": Unpair the watch, restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch, and try the activation process again. If the issue persists, contact Verizon.
No Service or Weak Signal on Watch:
Ensure cellular is turned on in the Watch's Control Center.
Restart both devices.
Check for carrier setting updates on your iPhone.
If you're in an area with poor Verizon coverage, the watch's cellular signal will naturally be weak.
Understanding Verizon's Apple Watch Plans
Verizon typically offers a "Number Share" plan for Apple Watches, which allows your watch to use the same phone number as your iPhone.
Cost: This plan is usually an add-on to your existing Verizon unlimited phone plan. The typical cost is around $10-$15 per month plus taxes and fees.
Some Verizon unlimited plans might offer a discount, bringing the cost down to around $7.50/month.
If you don't have an eligible phone plan, the cost for a standalone connected device plan will be higher (e.g., $15/month without a discount).
Data Usage: The Number Share plan typically includes unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data. However, there's usually a premium data allowance (e.g., 15GB), after which speeds may be reduced during times of congestion.
Talk & Text: Includes unlimited talk and text, often with Canada and Mexico roaming features.
Family Setup (Standalone Mode): Verizon also supports Family Setup, where an Apple Watch can be set up for a family member (like a child or older adult) who doesn't have an iPhone. This allows the watch to have its own phone number and operate in "Standalone Mode." The plan for this mode might have different pricing (e.g., around $10/month per line).
It's always a good idea to check the latest pricing and plan details directly on the Verizon website or by contacting their customer service, as offers and terms can change.
Congratulations!
You've successfully navigated the steps to add your Apple Watch to your Verizon plan. Enjoy the freedom and convenience of a truly connected wrist!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my Apple Watch is a cellular model?
You can check the Digital Crown: cellular models typically have a red ring or a red dot on the Digital Crown. You can also find the model number in Settings > General > About on your Apple Watch, then look it up on Apple's website to confirm if it's a GPS + Cellular version.
How to unpair my old Apple Watch from my iPhone?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap All Watches at the top-left, tap the information "i" icon next to the watch you want to unpair, and then tap Unpair Apple Watch. Follow the prompts to erase all content and settings.
How to tell if my Verizon plan is compatible with Apple Watch Number Share?
The easiest way is to attempt the cellular setup in the Watch app. If your plan isn't compatible, Verizon will notify you during the process. Alternatively, you can log into your My Verizon account online or contact Verizon customer service to inquire about your specific plan.
How to troubleshoot "Something went wrong" during Verizon activation?
First, ensure you are an Account Owner or Manager on your Verizon account. Try restarting both your iPhone and Apple Watch. If the issue persists, temporarily disable Screen Time web content restrictions on your iPhone. If still no luck, you may need to contact Verizon Tier 2 technical support and mention the possibility of an IMEI not being in their system.
How to activate an Apple Watch bought from Apple/Best Buy on Verizon?
The activation process is generally the same as described above. However, if you encounter "Something went wrong" errors, it might be due to the watch's IMEI not being in Verizon's database. In such cases, you will likely need to call Verizon customer service and request that an engineering ticket be created to manually add the IMEI.
How to manage my Apple Watch cellular plan on Verizon?
You can manage your Apple Watch cellular plan through the My Verizon app on your iPhone or by logging into your account on the Verizon website. You can view data usage, change plans (if applicable), and even suspend service.
How to switch between mobile numbers on an Apple Watch with Dual SIM?
If your iPhone supports Dual SIM and you have multiple cellular plans activated, your Apple Watch cellular model (Series 4 and newer) can be set up to use either plan. In the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch > Cellular, and you should see options to switch between or manage your active cellular plans for the watch.
How to check the cellular signal strength on my Apple Watch?
Swipe up from the watch face to open Control Center. The Cellular button (looks like a cellular tower) will be green, and the number of green bars indicates signal strength.
How to turn off cellular on my Apple Watch to save battery?
Swipe up from the watch face to open Control Center. Tap the Cellular button (the cellular tower icon) to toggle cellular on or off. Keep in mind that turning off cellular will limit its independent functionality.
How to set up an Apple Watch for a family member on Verizon (Family Setup)?
When pairing the Apple Watch with your iPhone, choose the option Set Up for a Family Member instead of "Set Up for Myself." You'll then be guided to create a separate cellular line and an Apple ID for that family member, allowing the watch to function independently even without their own iPhone. This requires your Verizon account to support Family Setup.