Apple Watch LTE w/ Dual Sim

[jpmoogle]

Apple’s support documentation is slightly confusing, just wanting to clarify.

I have a XS Max with dual sim (work - Verizon eSim and Personal - T-Mobile physical sim). I’ll be getting a Series 5 44mm this week through Verizon.

My understanding is that when I’m near my phone I’ll be able to receive calls & messages from both phone numbers on the Watch; but when I’m away from my phone only my Verizon number will work and not my T-Mobile one? iMessage is on T-Mobile number though. I want to know the experience and not a website that tells you stuff lol.

Thank you!!

 

[M.Rizk]

That's correct. Regarding the second part:

1. Starting in iOS 13, you will be able to have both numbers registered to iMessage
2. If you only have the T-Mobile number on iMessage and decide not to put the Verizon number too then the watch will use the T-Mobile number when sending iMessage, and use Verizon when sending SMS (text). This is a mess so just register Verizon on iMessage too when you update to iOS 13
3. When you are away from your phone only your Verizon number will work but you will still get call notifications (just missed call notifications) and texts from the T-Mobile line. If you decide to callback, the watch will use and display on the recipient caller ID the Verizon number. If you get a text and reply back the watch will send it over the internet to the iPhone and the iPhone will process it from the T-Mobile number.

 

[Lyn2012]

I have the same set up, or very similar as am using Spanish eSim and UK physical Sim. Are you saying that if my watch is linked via Vodafone ES (UK GiffGaff don’t do eSim), when I’m away from the phone (on the beach), I won’t be able to answer calls coming in on the UK number only on the Spanish one?

 

[M.Rizk]

I have the same set up, or very similar as am using Spanish eSim and UK physical Sim. Are you saying that if my watch is linked via Vodafone ES (UK GiffGaff don’t do eSim), when I’m away from the phone (on the beach), I won’t be able to answer calls coming in on the UK number only on the Spanish one?

No, you can't. Your watch will only show calls you missed on the UK number. If you callback it will use the Vodafone ES account to call. That is also assuming you are in Spain because the watch does not support roaming yet.

 

[jpmoogle]

That's correct. Regarding the second part:

1. Starting in iOS 13, you will be able to have both numbers registered to iMessage
2. If you only have the T-Mobile number on iMessage and decide not to put the Verizon number too then the watch will use the T-Mobile number when sending iMessage, and use Verizon when sending SMS (text). This is a mess so just register Verizon on iMessage too when you update to iOS 13
3. When you are away from your phone only your Verizon number will work but you will still get call notifications (just missed call notifications) and texts from the T-Mobile line. If you decide to callback, the watch will use and display on the recipient caller ID the Verizon number. If you get a text and reply back the watch will send it over the internet to the iPhone and the iPhone will process it from the T-Mobile number.

Got it, so I can still receive notifications from non-iMessage texts? That's pretty cool though if that does happen. I mean with the MacBook, I can get messages on the computer but thats probably forwarding it and I have an internet connection by any means.

 

[Lyn2012]

No, you can't. Your watch will only show calls you missed on the UK number. If you callback it will use the Vodafone ES account to call. That is also assuming you are in Spain because the watch does not support roaming yet.

Many thanks for clarifying this. I am assuming that I would still receive all FaceTime audio calls, no matter which number is used, as it’s over the data connection?

I’ve just ordered my first watch so wanting to get everything clear on how it works, especially as I won’t be able to connect it to my Spanish Sim before 14 days is up as I’ll be in England.

 

[M.Rizk]

Got it, so I can still receive notifications from non-iMessage texts? That's pretty cool though if that does happen. I mean with the MacBook, I can get messages on the computer but thats probably forwarding it and I have an internet connection by any means.

Yes, you will get non-iMessage texts over the Apple Watch cellular connection using forwarding just like the Mac does

Many thanks for clarifying this. I am assuming that I would still receive all FaceTime audio calls, no matter which number is used, as it’s over the data connection?

I’ve just ordered my first watch so wanting to get everything clear on how it works, especially as I won’t be able to connect it to my Spanish Sim before 14 days is up as I’ll be in England.

Yes, you will receive any FaceTime Audio call as long as you got both numbers registered to iMessage on your iPhone (running iOS 13).