Cellular Apple Watch connected with AirPods can't hear phone calls

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Update: after some testing I think the issue is mostly with the AirPod Pro hand off between devices.

Temporary fix: When you are away from your iPhone (or have the phone turned off) and you’re on cellular, go to the Bluetooth settings on your Apple Watch Series 10 cellular > disconnect your AirPod Pro and then reconnect your AirPod Pro.

Try calling 411 and it should work thru your AirPods.

The bug consistently happens when you’ve connected your AirPods to an iPhone and then back to your watch when it goes into full cellular mode.

AirPod Pro model: A3048, firmware: 7E93

Apple Watch Series 10 cellular, watchOS 11.4 (22T251)

🙋🏻‍♂️🤚 “Me Too”

AppleWatch 7 cellular (watchOS 11.4)

+ Airpod pro 2 usb (7E93, Case 74.10.0)

this happens when away from paired

iphone 15 pro (iOS 18.4.1)

AppleWatch and iPhone eSIMs provider: Zain Kuwait.

Exactly the same issue. Everything works until you make a phone call or receiving a phone call on Apple Watch separated from the iPhone on the cellular network.

Apple Watch series 10, and AirPods Pro 2

Called Verizon called Apple support. No one can help issue with Apple product should be escalated to hire engineer team.

I have the same problem. I go out from home, without iphone 15 pro. I have apple watch ultra 2 and airpod4. I made one call. Excellent. Tried a second. Nothing. I couldnt hear anything. I disconnected bluetooth and reconnected again. Nothing again. If i talk without airpods, everything is fine. But i dont want to be James BOND, talking to his watch!!!! Something has to be done by apple.

I have the watch 8 and the AirPods Pro and suddenly started last week I can hear music on the AirPods connected to the watch with the iPhone away but can hear conversations on the AirPods if I switch to the watch I can’t hear. It’s weird. Since I was able in the past I suspect one of the updates messed up this capability. If the iPhone is present then everything works. Apple support was useless. I have an appointment with Apple Store later today. We will see. It’s upsetting.

I have the same issue except I’m using Apple Watch Ultra 2 with AirPods Pro. Can you hear music on my AirPods Pro from the watch but cannot hear phone calls

I have the exact same issue. I can listen to music, but cannot hear phone call audio thru my airpod pros, I can only do speaker phone.

Thank you that work around but hoping @applesupport can provide an update here soon

I have the same issue, two calls to Apple an nothing fixes it , must be a software bug

I have this exact same problem. I keep waiting for it to get fixed every time a new software update comes out, but it never does. So frustrating.