The latest iteration of Apple’s Watch comes with a model that supports LTE connectivity. It’s a welcome addition, and one that finally sees the wearable device fulfilling some of the expectations heaped on it when it first appeared in 2015.
Now, with the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular, users are free to stream music, answer calls, and wander unencumbered by their large iPhone 8 Plus or any of its predecessors.
At the moment EE is the sole company in the UK offering LTE for the new watch. So, how do you actually set it up to work on the network? We show the steps you need to take if you want to leave your iPhone at home.
How do I get an Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular?
If you’ve yet to take the plunge and buy the LTE enabled Apple Watch Series 3, then there are a few different routes open to you. Purchasing one directly from Apple will set you back £399 for the 38mm version, or £429 if the larger 42mm is more to your taste.
Buy Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular directly from Apple
The LTE service is an extra cost, with EE offering free Unlimited data for the first six months, and after that 10GB of data per month for £5. You can also buy the Apple Watch from EE, which currently has a plan where you can pay £25 p/m for two years and receive unlimited data for the duration of the contract.
In either case you’ll need your iPhone to be on EE for this to work, as your Apple Watch will share the number and various aspects of the data.
Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular is compatible with the following iPhones running iOS 11:
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
- iPhone 6S and 6S Plus
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone X
Setting up the EE cellular service with Apple Watch
If this is the first time you’ve used your Watch, then you’ll want to follow our how to set up a new Apple Watch guide.
This will get you through the basics of pairing the device with your iPhone, setting up Apple Pay, and generally putting things in order. With that done, you’re ready to connect to the mobile network.
If you bought your Apple Watch from EE
According to the EE site, your plan will be part of the general setup process that takes place when you first turn on the Apple Watch and pair it with your iPhone.
If you find this isn’t the case, open the Apple Watch app, navigate to Mobile Data>Set Up Mobile Data, and log in with your EE account details. This should have the desired effect. If not you might need to contact EE directly, as there could be a problem with the account.
If you bought your Apple Watch from someone other than EE
For the Apple Watch to work on the EE network, you’ll need to sign up to the £5 p/m data contract. This can be done via the Apple Watch app.
Open the app and scroll down until you find Mobile Data > Set Up Mobile Data. You’ll now need to log in with your EE account details, then select the EE Smart Watch 30d £5 plan and tap Next.
Confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions by tapping the I Accept button, Buy, and then Done.
EE says that it can take around 10 to 30 minutes for the plan to be initialised, but after that you’ll be good to go.
With your Apple Watch now fully functional, you might also want to check out our Apple Watch tips feature so you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your newest acquisition.
Author: Martyn Casserly, Contributor
Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews for Macworld and its sister site Tech Advisor.