Can't activate cellular on Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Russia

Question

Level 1

5 points

Can't activate cellular on Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Russia

Please help me solve the problem, I can’t connect my Apple Watch, the watch doesn’t activate and an error appears.

«Cellular service cannot be activated on this Apple Watch. Contact your carrier or AppleCare.»

I am in Russia, in my country it is impossible to connect eSIM (eID) for use on Apple Watch, since the law prohibits cloning of eSIM. There is no suitable tariff plan. Apple support does not work in Russia. At the same time, many people use Apple Watch Ultra 2 and they do not have this problem. Tell me how this can be fixed🙏

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on May 5, 2025 04:16 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,697 points

May 5, 2025 07:51 AM in response to Cttolls

Sorry, but without a supported carrier, you can not use the Apple Watch, and your country is not listed on this related Apple Watch page:

Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple

Since there seems to be no supported carriers, you can not use the cellular option.

Reply

Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

220,428 points

May 5, 2025 07:55 AM in response to Cttolls

Sorry. Apple does not do business in Russia any more. I suggest you consider purchasing products from a company that does, assuming there are any.

Reply

Answer 3

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,697 points

May 5, 2025 09:52 AM in response to Cttolls

Did you follow the steps mentioned in this article to set up your watch?

You do not have to add the cellular plan during setup, you could also do that later by using the WatchApp on the iPhone.

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Настройка Apple Watch - Служба поддержки Apple (RU)

Reply

Answer 4

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,697 points

May 5, 2025 10:23 AM in response to Cttolls

You should be able to skip this step and continue with the setup without adding a cellular plan or choosing an existing one.

Check this discussion:

Can I use Ultra watch without cellular? - Apple Community

Reply

Answer 5

Cttolls Author

Level 1

5 points

May 5, 2025 08:50 AM in response to Ingo2711

Hello, I don't need to use cellular data on my Apple Watch. I want to set it up without this option. But unfortunately whenever I try to pair with the watch, I get this error message. I have many friends who use Apple Watch Ultra without any problems, they just don't have cellular data set up, and I'm the only one who has this problem, how can I solve it?

Reply

Answer 6

Cttolls Author

Level 1

5 points

May 5, 2025 10:03 AM in response to Ingo2711

of course i read all this, right after trying to pair to set up the watch i get an error message

Reply

Answer 7

Cttolls Author

Level 1

5 points

May 6, 2025 01:16 AM in response to Ingo2711

I can't skip this step because it's not suggested. I have a back button on the screen that breaks the pair and a retry button that causes the error message to reappear.

Reply

Answer 8

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,697 points

May 6, 2025 10:40 AM in response to Cttolls

Where did you buy your Apple Watch?

Is it locked to a carrier?

Reply

Can't activate cellular on Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Russia

Similar questions