Everything you need to know about Apple Watch on O2
Getting started
You’ll need an iPhone Xs or later, running iOS 17 or later for our current range of Apple Watch. This includes:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch SE 2nd Generation
Apple Watch SE
We always recommend that you update the operating system (OS) to the latest version supplied by Apple, on both your Apple Watch and iPhone for best compatibility.
Check compatibility of previous Apple Watch models, purchased from us or elsewhere.
No. The Apple Watch has a built in esim, which can’t be removed. Once you’ve set up your esim, you’ll be good to go.
Plug the Apple Magnetic Charging Cable into the USB power adapter, and plug the adapter into a power outlet. Then place the charger on the back of your Apple Watch. The magnets will connect and it’ll start charging.
Press and hold the side button on the Watch until the Apple logo appears on the screen. It’ll then take a short time to start up.
On your iPhone, make sure Bluetooth is on by going to Settings – Bluetooth.
Once your Watch has started up, hold it close to your iPhone. You’ll see a message prompting you to use your iPhone to set up your Apple Watch.
Follow on the instructions on the screen to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
Your Airtime Plan
If you buy your Apple Watch from O2, we’ll set up your Airtime Plan for you. But you’ll still need to activate it when you set up your Watch. When you first turn on your Apple Watch, your iPhone will recognise it and prompt you to pair them.
As part of this process, you’ll reach a step that asks you to set up mobile data. Tap ‘Set up mobile data’. You’ll see a screen that confirms your plan has been added to your account.
It can take up to 24 hours to activate, but sometimes it might take a little longer.
To check if your new Airtime Plan is active, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’. In the ‘Data Plan’ section, if you see O2 with the word ‘activating’ then you’ll have to wait a little longer for set up to complete. If you see O2 with an orange ‘i’ next to it, then you’re all set up.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’.
Then tap ‘Set up mobile data’. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your My O2 username and password.
Once you’ve signed in, select your Apple Watch plan. Follow the steps on the screen to set up your Apple Watch Airtime Plan.
It can take up to 24 hours to activate, but sometimes it might take a little longer.
To check if your new Airtime Plan is active, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’. In the ‘Data Plan’ section, if you see O2 with the word ‘activating’ then you’ll have to wait a little longer for set up to complete. If you see O2 with an orange ‘i’ next to it, then you’re all set up.
If you bought your cellular Apple Watch from somewhere other than O2, you can buy an Airtime Plan through the Watch app on your iPhone.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’.
Then tap ‘Set up mobile data’. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your My O2 username and password.
Once you’ve signed in, select ‘Buy another Airtime Plan for this watch’. You can have up to 3 cellular Apple Watches with an Airtime Plan linked to your account at one time.
Now, select your Apple Watch plan. Follow the steps on the screen to set up your Apple Watch Airtime Plan.
It can take up to 24 hours to activate, but sometimes it might take a little longer.
To check if your new Airtime Plan is active, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’. In the ‘Data Plan’ section, if you see O2 with the word ‘activating’ then you’ll have to wait a little longer for set up to complete. If you see O2 with an orange ‘i’ next to it, then you’re all set up.
It can take up to 24 hours to activate, but sometimes it might take a little longer.
To check if your new Airtime Plan is active, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Mobile Data’. In the ‘Data Plan’ section, if you see O2 with the word ‘activating’ then you’ll have to wait a little longer for set up to complete. If you see O2 with an orange ‘i’ next to it, then you’re all set up.
If you want to cancel your Watch Airtime Plan, call 202 free from your O2 mobile.
If you buy a new Apple Watch, you’ll need to go through the pairing process with the new Watch.
As part of this process you’ll reach a step that asks you to set up mobile data. Tap ‘Set up mobile data’. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your My O2 username and password.
Once you’ve signed in, you’ll see two options – ‘Buy another Airtime Plan for this Watch’ or ‘Move an existing Airtime Plan to this Watch’.
Tap ‘Move an existing Airtime Plan to this Watch’ to keep your current Airtime Plan.
If you restore all content and settings on your Apple Watch, you’ll need to go through the pairing process again.
As part of this process, you’ll reach a step that asks you to set up mobile data. Tap ‘Set up mobile data’. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your My O2 username and password.
Once you’ve signed in, you’ll have the option to ‘Add Airtime Plan’. Tap this to add your Airtime Plan back onto your Apple Watch.
Unless you bought your iPhone and Apple Watch from O2 at the same time, it’s unlikely that your contracts will expire at the same time.
If you’ve paid off your iPhone Device Plan and want to cancel your iPhone Airtime Plan, you’ll need to pay off any outstanding balance on your Watch Device Plan.
No, the Apple Watch isn’t eligible for Multisave, student or O2 Open discounts.
Once your six month free airtime period is up, we’ll charge you the normal monthly price for your airtime. The introductory free airtime offer ended on 18 December 2019.
Apple Watch Cellular on O2 will only work with tariffs that support Wifi and 4G Calling. All of our current tariffs do, along with all tariffs bought from 2014 onwards. If you bought a tariff before 2014, you’ll need to upgrade to one of our current tariffs.
You can have 3 cellular Apple Watches with Airtime Plans linked to you account. You can have all 3 devices paired to your iPhone, but only one will be ‘active’ at any given time. You can change which Watch is active in the Watch app on your iPhone.
An ‘active’ Watch is the watch which will connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth when in range and can be customised through the Apple Watch app. When the active watch is in Bluetooth range of the iPhone it will use the data allowance from the iPhone airtime plan.
Any other Apple Watches you have associated to your iPhone will still connect to the cellular network if turned on and can make and receive calls via your iPhone number. As these are not considered the active watches they will not connect to the iPhone via bluetooth even when in range. This means they are using the data from the Watch airtime plan, but any calls or texts made will come out of the iPhone airtime allowance.
For an incoming call, all of your Watches and iPhone can ring at the same time, and you can choose which device to answer the call on.
Using your Apple Watch
To make a call from your Apple Watch, open the Phone app on your Watch.
Tap ‘Contacts’, then choose the person you want to call. Or tap ‘Keypad’ to enter the number you want to call.
To see your messages, open the Messages app on your Apple Watch. Use the Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch to scroll through the list of messages, then tap on the conversation you want to view.
To reply to a message, scroll to the bottom of the conversation and choose an option. You can record an audio response, use the scribble feature and more.
Yes, you can connect Bluetooth audio accessories directly to your Apple Watch.
First, use the instructions that came with your accessory to put it in pairing mode.
On your Apple Watch, tap Settings – Bluetooth. Your Watch will then search for available Bluetooth accessories.
Choose your accessory from the list. Enter your passkey or pin if it’s needed. Then you’re good to go.
Using Apple AirPods? Once they’re paired with your iPhone, they’ll automatically be paired with your Watch too.
When a new update is available, your Apple Watch will give you a notification. Tap ‘Update tonight’ in the notification, then go to your iPhone to confirm that you want to update overnight. At the end of the day, leave your Apple Watch and iPhone charging, so the update can complete.
If you want to check for updates manually, go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap General – Software Update. If there’s an update available, follow the instructions on your screen to complete the update.
The cellular functions of your Apple Watch won’t work abroad. This means that if you move out of range with your iPhone (about 10 metres), you won’t be able to make calls, send messages or use data through your Watch.
But you can use your Apple Watch abroad as normal when it’s in range with your iPhone and your iPhone is set up for international roaming.
On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app and tap ‘Brightness & Text Size’. Then rotate the Digital Crown on the side of your Apple Watch to change the text size.
Your Apple Watch automatically syncs its date and time with your iPhone.
If you want to manually change the time, go to Settings – Time on your Watch. Then tap to change the time up to an hour ahead of the current time.
To mute your Apple Watch notifications, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show Control Center. Then tap on the bell icon to mute the Watch.
Your Apple Watch will use its cellular capability when it’s out of Bluetooth range with your iPhone (about 10 metres) and it can’t connect to wifi.
When your Watch is out of range with your iPhone, it’ll use its own data allowance. Any calls and texts will be taken from your iPhone’s monthly allowance. Calls and texts that aren’t included in your iPhone’s monthly allowance will be charged to your iPhone airtime bill.
When the Watch is in range with your iPhone, it’ll use your iPhone’s monthly allowances for calls, texts and data.
Your Apple Watch won't connect to 5GHz wifi, or public networks that require logins, subscriptions or profiles. These networks are called captive networks. They can include networks in places like businesses, schools, dorms, apartments, hotels and stores.
You’ll see calls and texts from your Apple Watch on your airtime bill for your iPhone.
Changed your mind? It happens. Take a look at our change of mind policy to see your options.
We’re sorry you’re having problems with your tech. Take a look at our returns and repairs policy to find out what you can do.
Yes, as long as you’re using a compatible iPhone with an O2 Pay Monthly personal account.
