Apple Watch Cellular Not Working? Top Fixes to Try!

by Sophie Green   Updated on 2024-02-03 / Update for  Apple Watch

It's a good thing to rely on your Apple Watch to get the important things done quickly, filtering the notifications for you while you stay connected and enjoying life hands-free – but not until you start facing the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue. If your Apple Watch is playing cellular hide-and-seek, don’t worry. It’s not judging your questionable playlist. This guide will equip you with the troubleshooting methods to fix the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue.

Part 1: Why Isn't the Apple Watch Cellular Working?

Generally, there can be various reasons behind why the Apple Watch Cellular isn’t working. The potential reasons for the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue are mentioned below:

  • If you’ve just bought the Apple Watch, it's possible you haven’t put the right details for your cellular plans or it’s not activated yet.
  • You’re Watching it out of the courage zone. The weak signal strengths can cause the cellular functionality to remain inactive. Go to the control center, and check the signal strength for cellular.
  • Another reason Apple Watch cellular is not working is that your plan isn’t inactive. Connect with the service provider to get it fixed.
  • The bug or glitch in the OS is messing up with the cellular functionality and causing the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue.

Part 2: How to Fix Apple Watch Cellular Not Working [Proven 6 Fixes]

Now you know what can cause the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue, it’ll be easier to target the problem with the right solutions. Here are the top 6 proven fixes for the Apple Watch with “Apple Watch cellular not working when away from home”.

Fix 1: Fix Apple Watch Cellular Not Working with No.1 Tool [ Safe, Easy, Fast]

The best way to resolve iOS-related issues is using a professional tool - Tenorshare ReiBoot. This tool is designed to detect the issues on iOS devices and fix them by applying the fix using smart algorithms.

The best part about the Tenorshare Reiboot is the user-friendly interface, making it easier to resolve iOS-related issues with a one-click process. Whether it’s your Apple Watch cellular not working, your iPhone’s black screen or your iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, it can resolve all of it.

Here’s how to fix Apple Watch cellular not working using the Tenorshare ReiBoot tool:

  • Install the Tenorshare ReiBoot on your PC/Mac, and connect your Apple Watch to the computer. Once the Apple Watch is detected, click on the Start Repair button.

    launch reiboot
  • Choose Standard Repair mode so your Apple Watch data won't loss.

    fix with reiboot
  • Now, you’ll be presented with a download page. Click on the Download button to download the firmware package for your Apple Watch.

    fix with reiboot
  • After downloading the firmware package, click the Start Standard Repair button and wait for the progress bar to complete.

    fix with reiboot
  • Once it’s completed, your Watch will restart automatically.

    repair successfully

Fix 2: Check Cellular Signal Strength

Cellular connectivity can be disrupted on an Apple Watch due to weak signal strengths. Your Watch will struggle with cellular connectivity if you’re in a dead signal zone. To check if this is the real reason, follow the steps below;

1. Go to the Control Center on your Apple Watch by touching and holding the bottom of the screen, then swipe up.

2. It’ll show a green signal on the top of the screen when it is connected. Make sure there are at least two green signal bars to get the optimum cellular connectivity on your Apple Watch.

Fix 3: Enable Cellular on Apple Watch

You must set it up manually to enable and use the Apple Watch cellular network. It’s a one-time process and usually doesn’t need to be repeated unless you face any issue with cellular connectivity on your Apple Watch.

  • Go to the Watch app on your iPhone and select Mobile Data.
  • Tap on Set Up Mobile Service, and tap again on the non-Setup Mobile Service button.
  • You’ll be presented with a login screen, put your login details, and follow the onscreen steps to complete the process.

Fix 4: Resync Apple Watch Cellular

If all of the above methods fail, you still have the chance to get the cellular working back like before. Consider resetting the Apple Watch, then resyncing with the iPhone. It’ll fix the glitch or bug causing the “Apple Watch cellular not working without phone” issue.

  • Launch the Watch app on your iPhone, and tap on the My Watch option.
  • Tap on the General Settings Tab, then tap on Reset Sync Data.
  • Let the process complete, erase all the data on the Watch, and then resync it automatically.

Fix 5: Restart Apple Watch/iPhone

Restarting the iOS device often helps fix the glitches and bugs that disrupt its normal functioning. The issue can also occur when you long for a time without restarting your. The junk files stored for a long time can impact the OS configuration. That’s why I consider restarting the Apple Watch and iPhone to fix the “Apple Watch cellular not working after update” issue.

Steps for restarting an Apple Watch:

Step 1. Press and hold the Side button button on your Apple Watch until you see the three options.

Step 2. Drag the slider for Power Off to turn it off.

Step 3. To turn it on back, press and hold the Side button, until you see the Apple logo screen.

Steps for restarting an iPhone:

  • Press the volume down button, and release it. Press and hold the Power button down button until you see the Power menu.
  • Drag the slider for the Power off to the right side of the screen to turn it on.
  • Press and hold the Power/Side button to turn it on.

Fix 6: Reset Network Settings on iPhone

The Apple Watch cell not working problem can also be related to the network settings on your iPhone. You or someone else may have played with the network settings accidentally, which is causing the cellular problem on the Apple Watch.

You don’t have to reset the iPhone in this situation as it’ll erase everything. Instead, you can reset the network settings on your iPhone to roll it back to the default value. Here’s how to reset network settings on an iPhone:

  • Go to the iPhone Settings app, and tap on General.
  • Tap on the Reset option, and select the Reset Network Settings option.
  • Enter the passcode to confirm the process, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

    reset network settings

FAQs about Apple Watch Cellular

1. How long does it take Apple Watch to sync Cellular?

Your Apple Watch shouldn't take long to sync cellular. It should sync the Watch with the cellular network in an hour, including playing with the settings and preferences. The time duration may also vary from network to network, it can take a few seconds or an hour.

2. How do I reset my eSIM on my Apple Watch?

To reset the eSim on your Apple Watch, you must remove the cellular plans from the settings. To do so, go to the Watch app on your iPhone >> My Watch >> Cellular >> Cellular Plan >> tap on Remove and confirm it.

. Does Apple Watch cellular work if the phone is off?

The Apple Watch connects to the cellular network even when your iPhone is turned off. However, it also depends on which models you’re using. Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 cellular models support this feature.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch is very handy, and a smart gadget to be equipped with. It doesn’t only offer the ease of the small tasks that you actually need to pull out the iPhone for, but you can also make calls, and use it as a mini iPhone when it’s connected to a cellular network.

This guide explained the top solution to fix the “Apple Watch cellular not working” issue. Refer to the Tenorshare ReiBoot to fix the “Apple Watch cellular not working without the phone” issue with the one-click process.