I just ordered the new Apple Watch Series 6 with cellular and called up Sunrise to see if I can have a data only subscription (I already have a data only with Sunrise for the iPad). Apparently, they only do the add-on for the watch if you have a mobile subscription, so that is not an option.
Is there anyone on the forum that uses the Apple Watch's eSIM functionality in Switzerland?
I couldn't really find another provider that would give me the eSIM data only for the Apple Watch, and apparently just getting an eSIM doesn't work for the Apple Watch (something about different protocols?).
I'm on Swisscom .. I added the eSim option to mine for 5chf extra per month..
To be honest it's quite a waste, I almost never use the functionality.. I virtually always have my phone with me. Maybe once per year somebody will call me while I'm out running without my phone.
There's not a huge amount you can do on the watch without the phone, even with the eSim.
I can confirm you will not be able to get an esim for your watch without a mobile subscription.
And yes...it is not really worth it. I find it practical for running as you ca still connect your airpods for example and stream music. But yeah...we have our phone almost always with us.
I've never been able to activate my Apple Watch with cellular as our corporate plan does not allow me to add an extra eSim device and does not provide or allow for split billing.
My business line is Swisscom and installed via eSim on my iPhone, and my physical SIM is googlefi which has my us number, but that doesn't support an apple watch either..
Yes, I have the same issue as I'm on the corporate plan too. It's also interesting that my data-only subscription that I have for the iPad doesn't allow activation for the Apple Watch, they can only add the eSIM for the Watch if you have a "regular" subscription... Too bad, I'll just wait till I'm not on the corporate plan anymore I guess
Apple has finally released the streaming API to other apps and Spotify is finally taking advantage of that (beta testing in progress), so you will soon be able to stream Spotify using a cellular Apple Watch without the need of a mobile phone.
@azt33 - are you on Swisscom with your corporate plan?
I admit I only have an eSIM for my iPhone XR but it wasn't really a problem, even though I'm on our "corporate" plan and thus do not have direct access to any kind of "cockpit".
It should not be a problem, there may just be some hoops that you and the person responsible for managing the plan have to jump through.
Swisscom, when prodded a bit, can be remarkably flexible and accommodating.
I learnt that having different iphone abo provider and eSIM provider won't work (eSIM get's deleted moment you remove given eSIM provider number from the iPhone ).
Not sure if that is just me or Swiss networks thing or general Apple .
bottom line - only way I was able to to setup Watch with different eSIM provider is using ... Family Mode .
Sounds Apple is pushing for "you must have iphone and watch" while "just watch" is for kids only
That is probably because you think people are the same...some have a watch because they are apple fans...some like the design...some as myself, find it very useful for sports...
And you should try running a half marathon with an iphone or without...not everything else is available on the iphone.
Ther is no esim provider only...mostly because of technical limitations, your apple watch esim is linked with your number...and of course they push iphone and watch...they make money but also how would you sync your watch?