How to set up and activate eSIM on your smartwatch

By Dylan Crismale

Last updated 02 April 2025

Contents

In this eSIM for smartwatch guide:

Setting up an Apple Watch eSIM
Setting up a Samsung Galaxy Watch eSIM
Setting up a Google Pixel Watch eSIM
eSIM plans for smartwatches
Setting up eSIM on your smartwatch FAQs

One of the obvious benefits of smartwatches is the ability to leave your phone at home.

As long as your watch model has a cellular connection you can get internet anywhere you can reach a mobile network.

Smartwatches access mobile networks via SIM cards that are built into them. These are called embedded SIMs or eSIMs for short.

Setting up an Apple Watch eSIM

When you first connect a 4G Apple Watch to your phone, it will prompt you to activate its eSIM.

Note: You'll need your iOS device nearby and to have the SIM activated. You'll also need to have the latest software installed on both devices

Steps to set up your Apple Watch eSIM

Download the Apple Watch app if it's not already installed
Open the Apple Watch app
Tap My Watch and then tap Mobile
Tap Set Up Mobile
Follow the on-screen instructions for your network carrier to finalise the activation process for your Apple Watch

Keep in mind: Your Apple Watch will only work on the same network as your iOS device.

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Setting up a Samsung Galaxy Watch eSIM

When you connect your Galaxy Watch to an Android device, you'll be asked to activate eSIM near the end.

Note: You'll need your device nearby and to have the SIM activated.

Steps to set up Samsung Galaxy Watch eSIM

Download the Galaxy Wearable app if it's not already installed
Open the Galaxy Wearable app
Tap Watch settings or the Home tab
Tap Mobile plans, the Galaxy Wearable app will start scanning for an available cellular network
Follow the prompts to complete activation

Keep in mind: Your 4G Galaxy Watch will only work on the same network as your smartphone. While Galaxy Watch models before Watch 4 work with both Android and iOS devices, 4G connectivity will only work with Android smartphones.

Setting up a Google Pixel Watch eSIM

You can set up a Google Pixel Watch during the initial set-up process.

Note: You'll need your phone with an activated SIM nearby.

Steps to set up your Google Pixel Watch eSIM

Download the Google Pixel Watch app onto your phone if you don't already have it installed
Swipe down on your Google Pixel Watch and tap Settings
Tap Connectivity followed by Mobile
Check that the status is set to On
On your mobile phone, open the Google Pixel Watch app
Tap Mobile network followed by Set up a new profile
Select Set up a new profile via your cellular carrier
Follow the on-screen instructions to long to complete set up

Keep in mind: Your Pixel Watch will only work on the same network as your mobile plan.

eSIM plans for smartwatches

Optus Number Share

You can set up eSIM on your smartwatch through Optus NumberShare. Number Share costs $5 per month.

Optus supports the following 4G-enabled smartwatches:

Apple: Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Google: Not supported

Number Share is only available on Optus' Choice Plus mobile plans. Here are Optus' postpaid SIM-only plans that support eSIM:

#1	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $65 Optus Choice Plus Plan 200GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $65/mth Min. cost $65 Go to Site	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $79 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply. $69/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $85 Optus Choice Plus Plan 400GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $85/mth Min. cost $85 Go to Site	$85/mth Min. cost $85	Go to Site

Vodafone NumberSync

Vodafone's NumberSync is Vodafone's eSIM option for smartwatches. NumberSync costs $5 per month.

Vodafone supports the following 4G-enabled smartwatches:

Apple: Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Google: Not supported

Vodafone NumberSync is only available on Vodafone's postpaid plans. Here are Vodafone's SIM-only plans that support eSIM:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $59 Medium SIM Only Plan 360GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 360GB for $49 (incl. 180GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $59 Medium plan. T&Cs apply. $49/mth Min. cost $49 Go to Site	$49/mth Min. cost $49	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $69 Large SIM Only Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site

Telstra One Number

Telstra One Number allows you to connect your cellular smartwatch to your Telstra plan. Telstra will charge an extra $5 per month on top of your mobile plan to use One Number.

Telstra supports the following 4G-enabled smartwatches:

Apple: Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Samsung: Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Google: Google Pixel Watch, Google Pixel Watch 2 and Google Pixel Watch 3

Here are Telstra's Upfront SIM-only plans that support eSIM:

$65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.

$65/mth

Min. cost $65

Link not supplied

$65/mth

Min. cost $65

Link not supplied

$75 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.

$75/mth

Min. cost $75

Link not supplied

$75/mth

Min. cost $75

Link not supplied

$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan

300GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.

$99/mth

Min. cost $99

Link not supplied

$99/mth

Min. cost $99

Link not supplied

Tangerine Shared Number

Tangerine's Shared Number lets you connect your cellular smartwatch to a 5G Tangerine plan. Tangerine charges an extra $10 per month on top of your mobile plan to use Shared Number.

Tangerine supports the following 4G-enabled smartwatches:

Apple: Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Samsung: Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Google: Not supported

Here are Tangerine's 5G SIM-only plans that support eSIM:

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $29/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 32GB 5G Mobile SIM 32GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $34/mth Min. cost $34 Go to Site	$34/mth Min. cost $34	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $40/mth Min. cost $40 Go to Site	$40/mth Min. cost $40	Go to Site
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 80GB 5G Mobile SIM 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $46/mth Min. cost $46 Go to Site	$46/mth Min. cost $46	Go to Site
#5	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 150GB 5G Mobile SIM 150GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $58/mth Min. cost $58 Go to Site	$58/mth Min. cost $58	Go to Site

More Shared Number

More, Tangerine's sister telco also offers Shared Number. It's also available for $10 per month with a More 5G plan.

Tangerine supports the following 4G-enabled smartwatches:

Apple: Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Samsung: Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Google: Not supported

Here are More's 5G SIM-only plans that support eSIM:

#1	More	More 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $25/mth for 12 mths, then $27/mth $32/mth Min. cost $32 Go to Site	$32/mth Min. cost $32	Go to Site
#2	More	More 32GB 5G Mobile SIM 32GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $31/mth for 12 mths, then $32.40/mth $38/mth Min. cost $38 Go to Site	$38/mth Min. cost $38	Go to Site
#3	More	More 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $37/mth for 12 mths, then $37.80/mth $44/mth Min. cost $44 Go to Site	$44/mth Min. cost $44	Go to Site
#4	More	More 80GB 5G Mobile SIM 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $45/mth for 12 mths, then $45/mth $50/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
#5	More	More 150GB 5G Mobile SIM 150GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $59/mth for 12 mths, then $57.60/mth $64/mth Min. cost $64 Go to Site	$64/mth Min. cost $64	Go to Site

Setting up eSIM on your smartwatch FAQs

Do all eSIM plan providers support 4G enabled smartwatches?

No, not every telco that offers eSIM plans also supports cellular smartwatches. In Australia, the only telcos that currently offer this are the big three: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone plus Tangerine and More out of the MVNOs. You'll need to activate roaming to use your 4G enabled smartwatch's eSIM when travelling.

More Telstra MVNOs may roll out support soon.

Does my phone need to be eSIM compatible as well to pair with a smartwatch?

No, while several leading devices are eSIM compatible you don't actually need an eSIM set up in your main device to make pairing work. You do however need both plans to be with the same provider.

For example, you'll need to be on a Vodafone mobile plan to set up a Vodafone eSIM on your smartwatch.

What are the advantages of eSIM in smartwatches?

One of the advantages of the eSIM that's built into many smartwatches today is that it means you can use your smartwatch independently of your phone. This means making calls, sending texts and accessing the internet, all phone-free.

There are more pros and cons to consider for eSIM as a technology overall, generally, the pros outweigh the cons.

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