Has your Apple Watch stopped connecting to the mobile network or is displaying messages like “Offline” or “Plan unavailable”? Don’t worry, this is a more common problem than it seems and in most cases it can be fixed at home without having to take the watch to a technical service. In fact most of the time it can be solved on its own, but otherwise you have to do simple tricks.

In this guide, we explain all the possible reasons and step-by-step solutions so you can’t make calls, text and send messages. Use mobile data on your Apple Watch with LTE or 5G network.

You may also be interested in reading: How to use the new hypertension function of Apple Watch?

Verify that your Apple Watch is a cellular model

Although it seems simple, this is the first step. Apple Watch is sold in two versions:

• GPS: Connects only via Wi-Fi or via Bluetooth to your iPhone.
• GPS + Cellular: Includes an eSIM to use the mobile network (4G, LTE or 5G) even if your iPhone is not nearby.

To check your model:

• Look at the back of the watch (you can shine it with the iPhone’s flashlight) and see if the word “LTE” or “Cellular” appears.
• You can also go to Settings > Cellular from your Apple Watch. If you see this option, it means your model has a mobile connection.

Newer models like the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 support 5G, while older models use LTE/4G.

Make sure you have an active data plan

To use the mobile network, Your Apple Watch needs to be connected to a cellular plan compatible with your carrier. Open the Watch app on your iPhone → Cellular → check if the plan is active and online.

If it’s not visible, Contact your carrier to verify that your number and plan support Apple Watch with eSIM. Some plans require manual activation or do not allow the plan to be shared with multiple devices.

Check if mobile data is turned on

on Apple Watch:

• Press the side button to open Control Center.
• Tap the antenna icon and make sure cellular mode is turned on.
• If the icon is green, it means the cellular connection is in use. White is present but not active.

You can also go to Settings > Cellular > Mobile Data Options and verify that Mobile Data and Data Roaming are turned on. If you want to force cellular network usage, disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from the watch. Thus, Apple Watch will connect directly to the mobile network.

Check if your iPhone has a data connection

Apple Watch uses an extension of your iPhone’s data plan. Open Safari, YouTube or any app on your phone and make sure your mobile data is working properly. If your iPhone doesn’t have internet access, your watch won’t be able to connect either, in which case check coverage or contact your carrier.

• You may also be interested in reading: How to open Apple Watch Control Center depending on the model you have?

Enable data for specific apps

If your cellular connection is generally working but only one app crashes (for example, Messages or Maps), check the permissions: On your iPhone → Settings > Cellular → scroll down and turn on the switch next to that app.

This lets you use cellular data on both iPhone and Apple Watch.

Most of the time you just need to check a few settings to reconnect.

Turn Airplane Mode on and off

A quick trick to fix temporary errors:

• Open Control Center.
• Tap the airplane icon.
• Wait about 10 seconds and tap again to re-enable the connections.

This resets the network modules and usually recovers the signal within seconds.

Restart your Apple Watch

If the problem persists, Restarting can eliminate software errors or frozen processes:

• Press and hold the side button.
• Move the slider to Power Off.
• Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

Review your plan and billing

Sometimes the reason is simple:Your mobile plan has expired or you’ve run out of data. Open your operator’s app and check if your line is active, balance or data. Also check to see if your plan allows you to pair more than one Apple Watch, as some carriers don’t support this.

Update carrier and system settings

• On your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and accept the carrier update if an alert appears.
• On Apple Watch: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version of watchOS.

These updates fix bugs may affect cellular connectivity.

Reset and re-set your Apple Watch

If the watch still does not connect after all of the above, you can unlink and reconfigure:

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
• Tap your watch > Unpair Apple Watch.
• Select Keep cellular plan.
• Wait for it to be deleted and configure it as a new device.

Afterwards, Try sending a message, using Siri, or downloading an app from the watch to verify everything is working.

Remove and re-add cellular plan

If the error persists, eliminate the plan completely:

• In the Watch app → In the My Watch tab → Cellular → tap “i” → select Delete plan.
• Then reset the clock and add the plan from scratch again.

Only do this if you have verified that mobile data is working properly on your iPhone.

Contact your carrier or Apple Support

If your Apple Watch still won’t connect There may be a problem with the plan or the hardware of the watch. In this case, contact your carrier’s technical support or Apple Support directly as they can check for activation errors, restrictions, or damaged eSIM.

Network failures on Apple Watch are often caused by misconfigurations, lack of coverage, or errors after an update. With the above steps, you can recover calls, messages and mobile data in minutes. If all else fails, Apple Support and your carrier can help you reestablish the connection and

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