The Apple Watch momentarily replaces many users’ phones, taking over duties like receiving calls and messages. Since it uses the same principle as any other handset, it should have the means to handle all these cellular tasks.
So, do Apple Watches have SIM cards? All GPS + cellular Apple Watches have an embedded SIM card, although it doesn’t look like the conventional version you find in iPhones. It has the same principles as any other line, but the difference is that it is inbuilt and tiny, only a fraction of a nano-SIM. There is no way to remove it, and it provides cellular service throughout the watch’s lifespan. However, the GPS-only Apple watch lacks cellular capabilities and doesn’t have a SIM card inside.
Not many users understand how the Apple Watch works, mainly because of how it conducts cellular functions despite the small size. One of first-time buyers’ most frequently asked questions is whether the Apple Watch has a SIM card inside.
It would explain why you can easily communicate with other users with a GPS + cellular device because it doesn’t rely on phone pairing. Looking at the inner workings of the wearable, here is what you should know.
All cellular Apple watches come with an eSIM, not the conventional nano or micro lines; however, the GPS-only Apple watch doesn’t have an eSIM, and there is no need for one because it lacks cellular capabilities.
eSIMs have the same workings as a standard phone SIM card but is an embedded version that is inbuilt, and you receive it intact during purchase. It is a tiny component that you cannot remove or tamper with and must stay put for the watch to perform all the cellular tasks.
Only a SIM card can manage contacts, call registry, and other cellular communication duties. However, the Apple Watch manufacturers wanted the design to be slim and lightweight, and there is no room for a conventional line inside.
They swapped it for the eSIM, an embedded version, and part of the design. There is no way to remove it or substitute it with another version. Therefore, if you buy a cellular watch, the eSIM stays intact.
Similarly, you cannot install the line after purchase; thus, if you may wish to use the cellular feature in the future, it would be best to go for the GPS + cellular option. On the contrary, the GPS-only version doesn’t have an embedded SIM card, and its design ensures that it can always pair to the phone through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, not as a standalone cellular gadget. There is also no way to include an eSIM after purchase, being an in-built design.
Creators call it the embedded SIM card because the owner cannot tamper with it. It is a part of the manufacturing process and will work the same way as a typical SIM card in your iPhone. This technology is standard in tiny cellular devices that need independent wireless network connections. The developers ensure that they can work as standalone gadgets to access service provider services.
The general rule is that any GPS + cellular watch must have an eSIM while the GPS-only versions don’t, and you will know your model if you make a personal purchase. However, if you received the watch as a gift or bought a used one, you may not know whether it is cellular or non-cellular. Luckily, there are simple ways to tell. First, see the side button on the watch (digital crown); it should have a red ring or dot if it is cellular-enabled.
The other way to tell is by turning over the watch and looking at the details on the back. All the information about the watch should be there, including its serial number, case size, case material, and whether it is a GPS-only or a cellular device. Besides these two ways, you can also check the smartwatch’s serial number online to be sure.
Thanks to all the advantages over the detachable options, the eSIM is gaining fans all over, and manufacturers are integrating them into more devices. You will notice that many Apple watches boast the design, and the following is a list of all such versions.
| Watch version | eSIM model | Features | Specification | Hardware |
| Series 7 | GPS + Cellular | 41 mm and 45 mm | GPS + cellular | Intel PMB9955 |
| SE | GPS + Cellular | 40 mm and 44 mm | GPS + cellular | Intel PMB9955 |
| Series 6 | GPS + Cellular | 40 mm and 44 mm | GPS + cellular | Intel PMB9955 |
| Series 5 | GPS + Cellular | 40 mm and 44 mm | GPS + cellular | Intel PMB9955 |
| Series 4 | GPS + Cellular | 40 mm and 44 mm | GPS + cellular | Intel PMB9955 |
| Series 3 | GPS + Cellular | 38 mm and 42 mm | GPS + cellular | Qualcomm MDM9635 |
Besides allowing you to communicate with your loved ones via calls and messages, you can use eSIM devices for exclusive internet access. You can stream music, get directions from Map apps, use Siri, and do anything that requires browsing once you have a cellular plan. It will do everything you expect from your SIM card, except you cannot remove or substitute it. Many new owners may not know whether they have a SIM card in their Apple Watches.
The primary difference is that, unlike a regular line, an eSIM is tiny and undetachable from the Apple Watch. It is a whopping 60 × smaller, measuring only 2.5 x 2.3 x 0.2 mm. This small design implies no need to set aside a particular slot or SIM tray to house it within the watch. Thankfully, this significantly maintains the Watch’s sleek design since there is no need to leave room to accommodate a standard line.
Moreover, since there is no card port in the tiny gadget, it becomes a more robust watch due to one less fragile part, and there is no room for dust or water accumulation that can ruin it. Another impressive feature of the embedded line is that you can rewrite it.
Therefore, if you travel frequently, you can always find the local digits of your destination and continue using the watch. Although you cannot exchange it, there are still options to adjust it accordingly.
Several other advantages of using an embedded SIM over the conventional removable options exist. You won’t have to worry about losing it or buying replacements for the original. Therefore, it is secure, convenient, and better serves new customers.
Remember that the line must be compatible with the device you are using, making it easier to alternate between supported networks. However, you cannot switch to any other carrier unless it is affiliated with Apple.
How Do You Get a SIM Card out of an Apple Watch?
Not all Apple Watches have cellular capabilities since some are GPS-only, although they all work the same. Having a SIM on the watch is ideal for individuals who want to use the wearable without their iPhone in close range. On the other hand, you may want to sell or buy a used one or do away with the cellular aspect; is this possible?
There is no way to get a SIM card out of an Apple Watch because it is an embedded component screwed on the motherboard. Consequently, it is not a replaceable physical line like the one on your iPhone.
According to Apple’s terms, since the eSIM is permanent, any efforts to remove it may destroy the watch and interfere with the warranty. It won’t make free repairs or replacements even if the guarantee period hasn’t elapsed. The only aspect you can change about your SIM card is making a carrier switch.
Apple Watches don’t have a physical, removable SIM card, although some brands come with card slots like the versions on your iPhone. The wearables have an eSIM instead, which is fixed on the device.
You cannot exchange it at will, but you can alter your service provider effortlessly due to personal reasons like traveling requiring a local number. Note that the smartwatch and your phone must use the same carrier; otherwise, cellular connectivity will fail.
It is a simple procedure if you want to switch or remove the carrier on your wearable. Using the watch app on your iPhone,
- Click the “My Watch” button
- Choose “Cellular” after changing to a new provider.
- Next, wait for the watch to accept the new carrier on your phone.
You may also want to erase the cellular plan or sell the device, for which you will still follow the same procedure through the iPhone’s Watch app.
At the top of the screen,
- Select the information button adjacent to your carrier, and
- an option appears asking you to remove “Carrier”;
- Click it and confirm your actions to complete the process.
The watch is detached from any previous plan and is ready to pair with a new service. Since you cannot remove the eSIM and replace it, the only workaround is to erase the current subscription to reset the cellular capabilities.
Dealing with the SIM chip on your Apple Watch may initially seem complicated, but once you learn how to maneuver it, the entire task becomes manageable. Luckily, the eSIM has its upsides, and more manufacturers are incorporating them into their tablets, phones, and watch designs. You will also appreciate all the advantages over the standard versions like saving you the time and the hassle of juggling two SIM cards simultaneously.
Secondly, it makes it easier to switch from one carrier and allows you to add several networks while it switches intelligently to the option with the strongest signal. With the integrated eSIM, Apple creates more space on the watch for other vital internal components. Ultimately, the eSIM technology is one of the most innovative techs in wireless systems and may soon become the norm.
Does the Apple Watch 7 Have a SIM Card?
Apple aims to improve the performance of its Apple watch, as you can tell with each new release. The most recent product is the iWatch 7, which features unmatched capabilities that are enhancements of its predecessors. If you are in the market to upgrade and want to know more about the Apple Watch 7, you are at the right place.
The Apple Watch 7 has a SIM card like all other GPS + cellular wearable versions. Therefore, you don’t need a removable SIM card to make calls or send text messages on the novel iWatch. With the eSIM, you can enable all cellular services on the device, although there is no SIM card slot. However, the eSIM needs activation; otherwise, you won’t unlock the cellular capabilities. On the other hand, the GPS iWatch 7 is a Wi-Fi-only option and doesn’t have an embedded SIM card.
The cellular Apple Watch Series 7 uses an eSIM to facilitate communication. Unlike the regular lines, you don’t insert it into the watch as the device comes with the chip in-built. Therefore, the eSIM remains embedded in the wearable and performs all the cellular services you would get from a physical SIM.
However, the line requires an activation, failure to which your watch will work the same as a GPS-only device. To enable the eSIM on your LTE iWatch 7, you must update your devices and the carrier settings.
The iPhone software version should be 11.2 and later, while the WatchOS should be model 4.2 and newer. With everything set, open the Watch App on your iPhone,
- Click “My Watch” to find the Cellular tab,
- Select it and follow the onscreen prompts (after feeding all the necessary details)
- Click Start and give the watch a moment to enable cellular services.
If you find problems with the activation process, you can contact your preferred carrier for assistance.
After setting the virtual SIM on your Apple Watch 7, you can now make calls and send messages using your smartwatch. However, remember that the iPhone and your watch must share a carrier to function seamlessly, allowing the wearable to work as a standalone cellular device without linking the two gadgets.
The best part about the Apple Watch 7 eSIM is that it works even better if your iPhone is dual SIM. It can support two carriers, and you can switch between them depending on the more stable network.
Finally
The Apple Watch has two versions, the GPS and the GPS + cellular. Only the latter comes with an inbuilt line called an eSIM to facilitate the cellular tasks when out of the phone’s range. It is a vital component in all cellular-enabled watches like the Series 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and Apple Watch SE.
You can use the wearable in place of a phone, receive calls and messages, and remember that the eSIM is different from the regular lines in mobile phones. It is not detachable from the smartwatch and is significantly smaller than a nano-SIM. It is a deliberate design by Apple to keep the watch lightweight and reduce the need for extra parts like the SIM card slot.
