How to Add Apple Watch to Your Verizon Plan: A Complete 2023 Guide
Just got your hands on a shiny new Apple Watch? Congratulations! I know firsthand how exciting yet confusing the setup process can be – especially getting cellular activated with your carrier.
As both a tech specialist and Apple Watch user on Verizon‘s network, I‘ve helped many friends navigate the steps to unlock their device‘s full capabilities. With this comprehensive guide, you‘ll have that stunning smartwatch linked to your Verizon plan in no time.
Why Add Your Apple Watch to a Cellular Plan?
Before jumping into the how-to, let‘s discuss why you should connect your Apple Watch to a wireless carrier in the first place:
Use Your Watch Without Your iPhone – Once cellular is activated, you can leave your phone behind when going for a run or to the store and still use key features like calls, messages, email, streaming, and Siri.
Emergency Situations – With cellular, you can contact emergency services via your Apple Watch even without your iPhone nearby. This provides peace of mind when alone.
According to Verizon, over 65% of Apple Watch owners activate cellular connectivity. And no wonder – those that use LTE on their device report higher satisfaction.
Now let‘s get your watch set up!
Step-By-Step Guide to Add Apple Watch to Verizon
Below I‘ll walk through the full process to get your Apple Watch connected to Verizon‘s cellular network and active on your account.
What You‘ll Need
- Apple Watch Series 3 or newer
- Compatible iPhone model updated to latest iOS version
- Active Verizon postpaid wireless plan
- My Verizon app downloaded on your iPhone
1. Pair Apple Watch With iPhone
First, you‘ll need to pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone via Bluetooth. The setup wizard will appear on your iPhone screen automatically when you bring your watch nearby.
Follow all the on-screen instructions to sync the two devices and install required apps on your watch. Keep the devices side-by-side until pairing completes.
| WatchOS Version | Compatible iPhone Models |
|---|---|
| watchOS 9 | iPhone 8 or later updated to iOS 16 |
| watchOS 8 | iPhone 6s or later updated to iOS 15 |
| watchOS 7 | iPhone 6s or later updated to iOS 14 |
Tip: Make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are updated to the latest OS versions for full compatibility.
2. Connect to Verizon During Activation
Once Bluetooth pairing finishes, you‘ll be prompted to connect your watch to a cellular carrier. Select Verizon from the list.
When asked, sign in with your existing Verizon username and password. If you don‘t already have a Verizon account, you can create one here.
3. Activate Cellular and NumberShare
You‘ll then begin the cellular activation process for enabling NumberShare on your Apple Watch.
NumberShare allows your iPhone and Apple Watch to share the same phone number for seamless communication. Follow the activation steps by tapping Continue on your iPhone.
If activation doesn‘t trigger automatically, open the Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to Cellular > Set Up Cellular to begin.
4. Confirm Cellular Activation
After entering required info, wait for your activation request to process. You‘ll see a Device Added message upon completion.
To confirm, check that your Apple Watch now displays a cellular LTE signal next to the battery icon. Cellular should show as Connected with your shared phone number listed.
And that‘s it! You can now use apps, take calls, stream music and more even when you don‘t have your iPhone on hand.
What Are the Costs of Adding Apple Watch to Verizon?
Verizon does charge some additional monthly and one-time fees for Apple Watch connectivity when added to your existing wireless plan:
- $10 per month for a connected device fee
- $35 one-time activation fee to set up a new device
So how does Verizon pricing compare for cellular Apple Watch plans? Here‘s a glance:
| Carrier | Activation Fee | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $35 | $10 |
| AT&T | $45 | $10 |
| T-Mobile | $35 | $5+ |
As you can see, Verizon offers competitive rates to use your cellular Apple Watch versus other major carriers while providing excellent coverage.
For families or those with multiple Apple Watches, take note that Verizon allows up to 20 connected device per account.
Troubleshooting Tips
Hopefully connecting your Apple Watch to Verizon‘s cellular network goes smoothly. But technology can be finicky, so here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Restart both iPhone and Apple watch then redo the setup process
- Reset the Apple Watch to factory settings if activation fails
- Ensure iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version for compatibility
- Verify cellular plan supports smart watches and any required fees paid
- Contact Verizon support or visit a Verizon store for one-on-one help
Ready to Unleash Your Apple Watch!
With this step-by-step guide, you have all the key details on how to add your Apple Watch to your Verizon wireless plan. Activation enables the full capabilities of your device so you can ditch your phone for exercising, errands, travel and more.
I‘m confident following the steps above will get your watch connected in no time with minimal hassle. But if you do hit snags, use the troubleshooting tips or reach out to me in the comments. Enjoy cellular freedom on your new Apple Watch!
