Thanks to dual SIM and eSIM, you can now activate a second cellular plan from your carrier (or another one) on your iPhone. In doing so, you can seamlessly use two numbers on your device to make voice calls and send/receive SMS and MMS.
If you own an Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular, you can also use this service on your wearable device. Here’s how you can do this.
As we previously noted, dual SIM with an eSIM is available on the newer model iPhones (like the 11, XS, and XR.)
On unlocked devices, you can use different carriers with each account. If you’re making monthly payments on your iPhone, your carrier probably has your device locked. If this is the case, you can only use eSIMs that are from the same carrier.
However, some carriers (like Verizon) no longer lock their SIMs so it’s possible that you can have an eSIM from another carrier on a Verizon iPhone that still under a payment plan. Your best bet is to call your mobile phone carrier and ask them about eSIM support. Do this before ordering an eSIM plan from another carrier.
Once you set up a second cellular plan on your iPhone, you can begin using it on your Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular.
The Difference Between Dual SIM and eSIM
From a customer standpoint, there isn’t much of a difference between dual SIM and eSIM. They both allow you to have two distinct plans on your iPhones with eSim/dual SIM support. In doing so, both give you the ability to make and receive calls and text messages from two separate numbers.
An eSIM is an embedded software solution as opposed to a physical one. Because of this, you could feasibility add multiple eSIMs on your iPhone at the same time. However, only one is usable at the same time. eSIMs aren’t new to Apple. You’ll find eSIMs on many iPad Pro models, including the 2018 models, and the Apple Watch Series with GPS + Cellular.
For everywhere but China and its regions, you’ll use eSIMs to set up a second line. In China, dual SIMs are necessary. As the name suggests, this is achieved through the use of two physical nano-SIM cards.
An Important Note
Please keep in mind that adding a second cellular plan isn’t free. You’ll be required to purchase the second line and pay all of the monthly expenses to keep it. With that being said, you can purchase these plans on a month-to-month basis to suit your needs.
There are some key advantages to using a dual SIM or eSIM. Specifically, this type of feature is ideally suited for those who want one number for business and another for personal use. It’s also beneficial when traveling and you need a local data plan. The feature also works if you’re intent with having separate voice and data plans.
To set up a second cellular plan on your Apple Watch, you’ll need to establish the first one during your initial setup.
Image Source: Apple
To do so:
On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
Tap the My Watch tab, then select Cellular.
Tap Set Up Cellular.
Follow the instructions for your carrier.
Once you’ve established a second mobile account on your iPhone, perform the following steps to use both services on your Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular:
From your iPhone, tap the Apple Watch app.
On the My Watch tab, tap Cellular.
Next, select Set Up Cellular or Add a New Plan.
Follow the steps to add another plan.
Once you’ve completed the process, you can use the second cellular number from your Apple Watch.
Switching Accounts on Apple Watch
To switch between accounts on your wearable device:
On Apple Watch
Go to Settings > Cellular, then choose the plan that you want your watch to use when it connects to cellular.
On iPhone
Tap the My Watch tab on your iPhone, tap Cellular. Select the plan you’d like to use.
Responding to Calls or Messages on Apple Watch
Using eSIM on Apple Watch is slightly different, depending on whether your Apple Watch GPS + Cellular is connected to your iPhone.
Apple Watch and iPhone Are Connected
When the devices are connected, you can get calls and messages from both plans directly on your Apple Watch.
When you receive notification of a call or message, you’ll see a badge indicating which plan is being used. In this situation, your Apple Watch automatically responds using the same cellular plan.
Apple Watch and iPhone Aren’t Connected
When you’ve left your iPhone at home, whether you receive calls and messages from both plans will depend on the current status of that phone.
If your iPhone is turned on, but away from your Apple Watch, you can receive calls and messages from both plans. When you respond, your watch automatically uses the plan in which the call or message was received.
When your phone is off, you only receive calls and messages on your Apple Watch from the currently active plan. You can, however, change which plan is active by going into the Settings app under Cellular on your watch.
When in Doubt
Using eSIM or dual SIM on your iPhone and Apple Watch is a new offering from Apple. As such, it’s not yet supported by many carriers around the world. If you’re interested in activating a second cellular plan on your devices, your best bet is to contact your carrier and see what current steps are necessary.
These steps tend to vary by carrier and seem to be changing monthly as the feature gets adopted by more people. Hopefully, in the future, the process will become much more uniform.
Question :
I have anesim compatible IPHONE, how to link up iPhone with her Apple Watch. Please list down the steps for her to follow through to have this activated?
This is a nightmare, so many answers and explainations but not one actually clears anything much up, so… Question: I have an iPhone 12 that uses a nano Sim and also an eSim with another number (both carriers are the same and support Apple devices) so the iPhone is capable of receiving calls etc. from 2 numbers. Now what do I need to do to my cellular iWatch 7 to receive calls from both numbers on my iPhone?
Do I need to add a duplicate nano Sim from one of the iPhone numbers or does it need to be a totally different number? Do I need to add any nano sim to my iWatch or does it just take the information from the iPhone and set the same two accounts up on the iWatch as eSims?
Hi,
I am currently using physical Simcard with iphone12 and I have an apple watch SE, I want to use the same number as cellular on the apple watch as well and I want to do that with e-sim. As I don’t want to carry my phone during the sports on me and don’t want to change my number as well, would it be possible to use the same number with only one plan on both phone and apple watch? Thank you in advance.
I have two lines on my iPhone Max. Do I still need another line on an Apple Watch 5? Can it share the same number as my mobile phone? If yes, do I have to have my watch with me to receive and make cellular regular call?
Yes, you need a separate plan for your watch–most run about $10/month but there are some discounts available–ask your carrier if you are eligible. That plan connects to one of your iPhone numbers–only one of your mobile numbers can be activated on an Apple Watch at a time.
Go to the Watch app
Tap Cellular
Tap the plan you want to use (like Primary, Secondary, etc.)
To switch plans directly from your watch, go to Settings > Cellular then choose the plan you want to use
Once you set-up a cellular plan with your Apple Watch, you can leave the house with just your Watch and make and receive calls that use that phone number.
I have an Apple watch 4 cellular that is currently linked with my Iphone X (Italian ILIAD Sim). Currently, ILIAD does not yet support ESIM, therefore my watch does not work as a “standalone”, so I can’t leave my phone home and still be able to receive/make call or messages from my watch.
I also have an Iphone 6S with a Swiss Sim from SUNRISE. SUNRISE already support ESIM, so my question is this:
If I buy an Iphone that support dual sims (XS for example), to have both of my numbers there (ILIAD – italian number, and SUNRISE – swiss number) and then I link my apple watch with the SUNRISE Esim, will I also be able to receive notifications from my italian number when using the watch as a standalone?
From what we understand, if your iPhone is turned ON but not with you, you should receive calls and messages from both plans on your Apple Watch. However, if your phone is turned off, your Apple Watch only receives calls and messages from whichever plan is active. You can change which plan is active by going into the Settings app under Cellular on your watch.
Question :
I have anesim compatible IPHONE, how to link up iPhone with her Apple Watch. Please list down the steps for her to follow through to have this activated?
This is a nightmare, so many answers and explainations but not one actually clears anything much up, so… Question: I have an iPhone 12 that uses a nano Sim and also an eSim with another number (both carriers are the same and support Apple devices) so the iPhone is capable of receiving calls etc. from 2 numbers. Now what do I need to do to my cellular iWatch 7 to receive calls from both numbers on my iPhone?
Do I need to add a duplicate nano Sim from one of the iPhone numbers or does it need to be a totally different number? Do I need to add any nano sim to my iWatch or does it just take the information from the iPhone and set the same two accounts up on the iWatch as eSims?
Hi,
I am currently using physical Simcard with iphone12 and I have an apple watch SE, I want to use the same number as cellular on the apple watch as well and I want to do that with e-sim. As I don’t want to carry my phone during the sports on me and don’t want to change my number as well, would it be possible to use the same number with only one plan on both phone and apple watch? Thank you in advance.
hi, if i have apple watch serie 5 but not cellular can i use esim? thank you
Hi Joe,
If your iPhone has dual SIM or eSIM capabilities, then your Apple Watch can use either eSIM or the physical SIM(s) via your iPhone.
I have two lines on my iPhone Max. Do I still need another line on an Apple Watch 5? Can it share the same number as my mobile phone? If yes, do I have to have my watch with me to receive and make cellular regular call?
HI Caroline,
Yes, you need a separate plan for your watch–most run about $10/month but there are some discounts available–ask your carrier if you are eligible. That plan connects to one of your iPhone numbers–only one of your mobile numbers can be activated on an Apple Watch at a time.
Go to the Watch app
Tap Cellular
Tap the plan you want to use (like Primary, Secondary, etc.)
To switch plans directly from your watch, go to Settings > Cellular then choose the plan you want to use
Once you set-up a cellular plan with your Apple Watch, you can leave the house with just your Watch and make and receive calls that use that phone number.
Hi, I have a question.
I have an Apple watch 4 cellular that is currently linked with my Iphone X (Italian ILIAD Sim). Currently, ILIAD does not yet support ESIM, therefore my watch does not work as a “standalone”, so I can’t leave my phone home and still be able to receive/make call or messages from my watch.
I also have an Iphone 6S with a Swiss Sim from SUNRISE. SUNRISE already support ESIM, so my question is this:
If I buy an Iphone that support dual sims (XS for example), to have both of my numbers there (ILIAD – italian number, and SUNRISE – swiss number) and then I link my apple watch with the SUNRISE Esim, will I also be able to receive notifications from my italian number when using the watch as a standalone?
Many thanks
Jacopo Rositani
Hi Jacopo,
From what we understand, if your iPhone is turned ON but not with you, you should receive calls and messages from both plans on your Apple Watch. However, if your phone is turned off, your Apple Watch only receives calls and messages from whichever plan is active. You can change which plan is active by going into the Settings app under Cellular on your watch.
We suggest your contact SUNRISE to confirm.
Good luck,
Liz