So you bought a cellular smartwatch and now you want it to work with your favorite carrier. Sounds simple… until it isn’t. Plans don’t show up. Pairing hangs. The watch says it has service, but calls won’t pass through. You know what? You’re not alone.
Here’s the thing: Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch use eSIM and carrier features that must be set up the right way. When you do it right, your watch can call, text, and stream without your phone in your pocket. When you miss a detail, the watch feels stuck. Let’s fix that—carefully, step by step.
TL;DR:
To make an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch LTE work on your carrier, confirm you have the right regional cellular model, ensure your plan supports a wearable add-on (NumberShare/Digits/NumberSync), clear any account or financing flags, remove old eSIM profiles, then activate the new plan through the Watch or Galaxy Wearable app and test by calling the watch with your phone turned off.
What “Locked” Means on a Cellular Watch
Phones and watches aren’t locked in exactly the same way. With watches, “locking” usually means one or more of the following:
Plan lock: The eSIM on the watch is still attached to a carrier plan (like NumberShare, NumberSync, or DIGITS). Until that plan is removed or released, another carrier can’t add their profile.
Network lock / activation lock at the carrier level: The carrier has flagged the watch’s EID/IMEI/Serial as restricted to their network. Even if you erase the watch, it can be blocked from activating elsewhere.
Financing or fraud hold: If the device is unpaid, reported lost, or blacklisted, it won’t activate on other networks.
The key idea: a factory reset wipes your settings, but it doesn’t clear a carrier lock. Only the carrier can remove a carrier lock. You’ll see this theme a lot below.
📖 Also Read: Does a Factory Reset Remove an eSIM Lock?
Quick Vocabulary You’ll See
eSIM: A built-in, programmable SIM. No card to swap.
EID: The eSIM’s unique ID. Carriers use it to push an activation profile.
IMEI/Serial: Hardware identifiers that carriers use to verify the device.
Companion line: Your watch usually shares your phone number or uses a paired “sidecar” line with call/text/data features.
Can You Unlock a Cellular Watch Like a Phone?
Yes and no. You don’t type an unlock code on the watch. Instead, you ask the carrier that currently holds the plan (or lock) to remove the restriction and disconnect the plan. Once that carrier releases the device identifiers, the new carrier can add their own eSIM profile during setup.
Bottom line: Unlocking a cellular watch is a carrier account action, not a code you enter.
Before You Start: The Two-Minute Reality Check
- Make sure your target carrier actually supports your exact watch model. Not every model (especially region-specific variants) is certified for every network.
- Check the account status. If the watch or the phone line it shares is still financed or flagged, unlock requests are usually denied.
- Confirm the watch is compatible with the phone you’ll pair with. Apple Watch pairs with iPhone; Galaxy Watch LTE (Wear OS) pairs with Android and sometimes iPhone for Bluetooth, but cellular features and apps can vary by carrier and region.
- Grab your IDs: EID, IMEI, and Serial. You’ll give these to the carrier when you request the release.
How to Find EID/IMEI/Serial on Your Watch
Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular)
On the paired iPhone: Watch app > My Watch > General > About.
On the watch: Settings > General > About.
Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE (Wear OS)
On the watch: Settings > About watch > Device (or About watch > Status).
In Galaxy Wearable on your phone: Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > About watch.
Write them down exactly as shown.
📖 Also Read: iMessage/FaceTime Stuck “Waiting for Activation” After Switch
Unlock Apple Watch Cellular: Step-by-Step
You don’t “enter a code” on Apple Watch. You remove the old plan and ask the carrier to release the watch so a new carrier can add service.
Step 1: Remove the Old Cellular Plan from the Apple Watch
On the paired iPhone: Watch app > My Watch > Cellular.
Tap the existing plan and Remove or Delete plan. This unlinks the plan from your Apple Watch but does not, by itself, unlock it from the carrier’s database. It’s still wise—and often required—to request a full release.
Step 2: Request a Carrier Release (The “Unlock”)
Contact the current carrier’s support and provide:
Apple Watch Serial, IMEI, and EID
The account holder’s details (they may verify ownership)
A clear ask: “Please release/unlock my Apple Watch from your network so I can activate it with another carrier.”
If the watch is financed or has a past-due balance, you’ll need to settle that first. If it’s clean, the carrier can mark the watch as free to activate on other networks.
Step 3: Unpair and Erase the Watch (Optional but Helpful)
Unpairing creates a fresh start and removes any residual plan entries:
On iPhone: Watch app > My Watch > All Watches > (i) > Unpair Apple Watch.
During unpair, you can choose to keep or remove the plan; you’ve already removed it in Step 1, so proceed.
Step 4: Activate on the New Carrier
Pair the watch to your iPhone again.
Go to Watch app > Cellular > Set Up Cellular.
Choose your new carrier, follow the prompts, and the carrier will push a new eSIM profile using your watch’s EID.
If you get a “not eligible” or “contact carrier” message, the previous carrier likely hasn’t completed the release or the new carrier doesn’t support your exact watch model.
Apple Watch Tips That Solve 80% of Stalls
Sign in to your Apple ID on the iPhone you’re pairing with.
Make sure your iPhone line is active and has the correct companion watch plan feature enabled by the new carrier.
Update iOS and watchOS to current versions for better provisioning success.
📖 Also Read: Visible phone release rules in 2025 vs. Mint Mobile requirements
Unlock Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE: Step-by-Step
Galaxy Watch LTE models also rely on eSIM provisioning from carriers. You’ll either add the plan during setup in Galaxy Wearable or on the watch itself, but the carrier has to allow it.
Step 1: Confirm Your Model and Target Carrier Support
Open Settings > About watch and note the full model number (for example, SM-R8xx variants). Check with the new carrier that your model is supported in your region.
Step 2: Remove the Existing Plan
In Galaxy Wearable on your phone: Watch settings > Mobile plans (wording can vary).
Remove/Disconnect the current carrier plan on the watch.
Step 3: Request Carrier Release
Ask the current carrier to release/unlock the Galaxy Watch for use on other networks. Provide:
EID/IMEI/Serial
Account holder details
A clear request for a release so a new eSIM can be provisioned.
Step 4: Reset the Watch (Fresh Provisioning)
On the watch: Settings > General > Reset (or Settings > General > Reset > Factory data reset). This clears settings and prepares the watch to accept a new plan.
Step 5: Add the New Carrier Plan
Reconnect the watch in Galaxy Wearable.
Choose Mobile plans or Carrier and follow the prompts to add a plan.
The carrier pushes a new eSIM profile to the watch’s EID.
If you see “Activation failed,” double-check that the old carrier completed the release and that your new carrier enabled the correct smartwatch add-on on your phone line.
Carrier Features Have Different Names (Same Idea)
Verizon: NumberShare
AT&T: NumberSync
T-Mobile/Many MVNOs: DIGITS or Watch line add-on
Different name, same purpose: your watch gets its own data access but is linked to your phone number for calls and texts. If your new carrier doesn’t offer a companion plan for your watch, you won’t get true stand-alone LTE features, even if the device is technically unlocked.
Small table of what you actually need
| Item | Apple Watch GPS + Cellular | Galaxy Watch LTE |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible hardware | Cellular model for your region | LTE model for your region |
| Phone needed for setup | iPhone only | Android phone (iPhone pairing has limits) |
| Carrier feature name | Often “NumberShare” or similar | Digits / NumberSync / watch add-on |
| eSIM | Auto-provisioned in Watch app | Provisioned via Wearable app / carrier |
| Works without phone nearby | Yes, with watch plan | Yes, with watch plan |
Using Your Watch Without Unlocking
Even if the carrier won’t release it (yet), your watch is still useful:
Bluetooth mode: Calls, texts, and notifications while your phone is nearby.
Wi-Fi mode: Some apps work over Wi-Fi when signed into your accounts.
Fitness, GPS, music storage: Many features don’t require LTE at all.
It’s not a perfect replacement for cellular, but it keeps your watch valuable while you sort out the account details.
Buying or Selling a Cellular Watch? Do This First
If you’re the buyer:
Ask for a screenshot of EID/IMEI/Serial and written confirmation that the watch is released and paid off.
Verify the exact model number matches what your carrier supports.
If you’re the seller:
Remove the plan from the watch.
Call your carrier and ask them to release/unlock the device identifiers.
Provide the buyer with a short note (or email proof) that the device is released.
This simple checklist prevents the number one dispute in second-hand sales.
Regional and Model-Number Caveats
Smartwatch models often come in region-specific versions with different bands or certifications. This matters when moving between countries or using regional carriers. A watch sold in one market may pair over Bluetooth just fine anywhere, but LTE activation can still fail if the model isn’t approved or doesn’t support local bands. When in doubt, confirm the exact model with the target carrier.
What About “Third-Party Unlock” Services?
Be careful. Most “watch unlock” offers you see online are either:
A carrier database request (the same release you can request yourself), or
Not legitimate at all.
Since a true unlock for watches is a carrier account action, the safest path is always to work with the carrier that currently holds the lock. If a third party promises an instant unlock without account details, treat it as a red flag.
Troubleshooting Checklist You Can Try Tonight
If activation keeps failing, run through this in order:
Update everything: iOS/Android, watchOS/Wear OS, carrier settings on your phone.
Remove old plans: Delete any leftover plans from the watch’s cellular settings.
Reset and re-pair: Start fresh to clear stale profiles.
Ask for a manual release: Call the previous carrier, provide EID/IMEI/Serial, and request a release.
Confirm plan features: Make sure your new carrier added the proper companion watch add-on to your phone line.
Provisioning retry: Have the new carrier re-push the eSIM to the watch’s EID.
Model verification: Double-check your watch model is supported by the new carrier in your region.
Most issues disappear once the release is complete and the new plan is properly provisioned.
The Bottom Line
To unlock Apple Watch cellular or unlock Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE, remove the existing plan, ask the current carrier to release the watch using its EID/IMEI/Serial, then have your new carrier add a compatible companion plan and push a fresh eSIM. A factory reset helps with setup but doesn’t remove a carrier lock. Check your exact model and region support before you switch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes — but with limits. You can pair many Samsung Galaxy Watches to an iPhone for Bluetooth features (notifications, fitness tracking, media control), but full cellular features and some apps are often limited or unsupported on iOS. For true LTE standalone functionality and the best experience, a compatible Android phone is usually required and you must confirm carrier support for that watch model.
You don’t enter an unlock code. Unlocking a cellular Apple Watch means removing the existing watch plan and getting the current carrier to release the device (EID/IMEI/Serial) from their database. Once the carrier confirms the release and your watch model is supported by the new carrier, you remove the old plan, unpair/reset if needed, then set up cellular with the new carrier (Watch app → Cellular → Set Up Cellular).
Not always. Two things must be true: (1) the current carrier must release the watch identifiers, and (2) the new carrier must support that exact Apple Watch model in your region and offer a compatible companion plan. If either condition fails (financing/blacklist hold, or model/carrier incompatibility), LTE activation on the new network won’t work.
Yes — through legitimate carrier or Apple routes. If the “lock” is a carrier lock, contact the carrier to request a release (you’ll likely need account-owner verification and a clear account status). If the device is Apple Activation Lock (tied to an Apple ID), it must be removed by the Apple ID owner via iCloud or by Apple with valid proof of purchase. Avoid third-party “unlock” services that promise to bypass locks — they’re often scams or illegal.
I can’t help bypass Activation Lock without the legitimate owner — that would enable unauthorized access. Safe options: ask the previous owner to remove the watch from their Apple ID (they can do this remotely via iCloud.com → Find My → remove device), request a written proof of sale and contact Apple Support to see if they’ll remove the lock (Apple may help if you provide an original receipt showing you as the rightful owner). If you can’t get cooperation or valid proof, the device will remain Activation Locked.
No. A factory reset erases the watch’s data and settings, but Activation Lock (tied to the Apple ID used on the device) remains active. To remove Activation Lock you must sign out of the Apple ID on the watch/iPhone before resetting, have the Apple ID owner remove the device from iCloud, or work with Apple Support with proof of ownership.