You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Buying apple watch gps+cellular abroad

Hey,

if i buy an apple watch gps+cellular in Austria (Europe), does the cellular feature will work in Israel (Middle East) after i'll change to an Israeli carrier?


Posted on Feb 7, 2022 11:00 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 12:26 PM

There are 2 Apple Watch cellular radios

• Canada, U.S. Mexico, Puerto Rico

• The rest of the world

Carriers will not attempt to connect to an Apple Watch that does not use the correct radio. Here is a list of carriers that support the Apple Watch:

https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular


If you do not get your Apple Watch in your own country, you may have to return the Apple Watch to the country where purchased to get warranty service.


If you do not get your Apple Watch in your own country, there may be country specific restrictions in the installed Apple Watch software that prevent features from working when you get home.

https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability


The GPS only Apple Watch can do Everything the Cellular model can do AS LONG AS your iPhone is nearby, where nearby is generally somewhere in the same moderately sized home. The Cellular model allows you to leave your iPhone at home while you go for a walk, run, bike ride. But the GPS ONLY is still subject to the warranty and feature restrictions.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547


5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 7, 2022 12:26 PM in response to yuval245

There are 2 Apple Watch cellular radios

• Canada, U.S. Mexico, Puerto Rico

• The rest of the world

Carriers will not attempt to connect to an Apple Watch that does not use the correct radio. Here is a list of carriers that support the Apple Watch:

https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular


If you do not get your Apple Watch in your own country, you may have to return the Apple Watch to the country where purchased to get warranty service.


If you do not get your Apple Watch in your own country, there may be country specific restrictions in the installed Apple Watch software that prevent features from working when you get home.

https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability


The GPS only Apple Watch can do Everything the Cellular model can do AS LONG AS your iPhone is nearby, where nearby is generally somewhere in the same moderately sized home. The Cellular model allows you to leave your iPhone at home while you go for a walk, run, bike ride. But the GPS ONLY is still subject to the warranty and feature restrictions.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547


Feb 7, 2022 11:11 AM in response to yuval245

Likely no. There are different models of Apple watch which are sold by region and designed to work with the cellular providers in those specific regions. And Apple Watch warranty is not international. It would be far safer for you purchase your watch in the region you will live and use the watch.


If you still purchase your watch in Europe and find it is not compatible with providers in Israel, you'll still be able to use the watch in Israel, but as a GPS only watch. And again, the warranty will not apply to a European watch in Israel.

Feb 7, 2022 12:48 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks for your reply.

I know there are two kinds of models (America and the rest of the world) so according to apple website, Israel and Austria are in the same category. Is that still doesn't mean they using the same radio bands?

I also read that apple watch is not region locked...

And i don't really care about warranty so that is not an issue for me

Feb 7, 2022 1:26 PM in response to yuval245

The only regional differences I am aware of involve the use of the health services on the iPhone, i.e Blood Ox and ECG. As far as replacement under warranty it is North America and Rest of the World. If you purchase it in Austria and attempt to get warranty service in the US that will not work. It will work in Israel assuming there is support for the Apple Watch there.

Buying apple watch gps+cellular abroad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.