Hi -
We will be driving about in the UK for the month of October. I will be taking my iphone 14, my iPad Air, and my Apple watch 8 which has cellular. My carrier is Verizon, but I am planning on getting a UK sim or esim for my phone. What then happens with my Apple watch? Does it need a sim from the same UK carrier? I am assuming I will need another sim for my ipad, which I will be using as a GPS, as well as some research using cellular. I am overwhelmed trying to figure out how to be able to use all 3 devices for the month while in the UK when I am away from hotel WiFi. HELP!
Thank you,
Joanna
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
You have a couple choices. The easiest is Verizon's monthly international plan $100...uses your existing plan allowances but it all works in Europe. Then just use your phone as a hotspot and connect tablet via wifi.
Option 2...get a uk sim that allows tethering to hotspot...see opt 1. No idea about watch...is it tied to your phone number?
Buy an esim with multiple devices like googlefi.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4719 posts
For my Apple Watch with cellular, and ATT service, I was told by ATT that it would be charged as an additional cellular line unless I turned off cellular service. I did turn it off, and it was a real pain getting it back on once we returned. I think I received faulty "help" from ATT, and should have gone to the Apple Store.
Will be interesting what others more knowledgeable will report. Good luck!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Joanna,
Is there any possibility of using just one device on cellular while you're travelling, and use the other two only on WiFi? Having the iPhone on cellular would probably be the most practical. I don't have an Apple Watch or iPad, but I suspect that having UK accounts for all three devices will increase your costs. Would it be possible to turn off cellular on the watch, and tether it to the phone?
In the same situation, I'd contact my home cellular network and try to find someone that's knowledgeable about international roaming. The Verizon international roaming plan will be a bit expensive, but would be the easiest solution. I've used the international roaming plan with my carrier for many years, and it works well.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1008 posts
I don’t know about the watch, but you can hotspot the iPad to your phone very easily. I do this all the time for my kids to watch YouTube while we’re travelling.
Posted by
MPLS, MN
354 posts
I added an ESim on my IPhone but didn’t do a thing with my Apple Watch. As long as your watch is paired to your phone you should be good. I have cellular with my Apple Watch but never used it with my phone connected.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1803 posts
iPhone 14 sold in the US do not have a physical SIM card slot which limits you to E Sim plans. I’ve looked at some of the major UK carriers and they do not offer e sims for their pay as you go plans. Your best option may be one of the e sim plans that are mentioned here often. Airalo, orange etc.
Here’s a different approach to this. Does your iPad have a physical SIM slot? It may be possible to get a cheap UK pay go plan for the iPad and tether your phone to the iPad.