Marco Arment

Modern cellular iPads with eSIMs can freely transfer cellular plans between themselves, just like iPhones do.

This is SOOOOOO much better than deactivating/reactivating plans with AT&T!

Can the Apple Watch please do this next? (Do the newest ones do it already? The old ones suuuure didn’t)

Feb 22 at 7:37pmIvory for Mac
Show threadDavid NelsonFeb 22
@marcoarment That would be a great addition to the Watch. I don’t think it can do this on its own yet. I got a Series 11 this year and had to go through the usual motions on my iPhone—which errored out several times before it finally succeeded.
Show threadNeal PoznerFeb 22
@marcoarment When I upgraded from Series 9 to Series 11 last year, the cellular plan transferred from the old watch to the new one pretty cleanly. I was dreading it, but the process was uneventful. This was with Verizon.
Show threadDana ScottFeb 22
@njpozner @marcoarment I’m on Verizon as well,and every time I’ve upgraded my watch, 4-6, 6-8, 8-Ultra 2, the cell plan migrates easily. An option is presented to, 1. Terminate the cell plan, or 2. Not terminate it (not exact words). I always select #2.
Show threadDavid OpdykeFeb 22
@marcoarment this is flawless for me on T-Mobile with my new Ultra 3, everything just worked by transferring during setup. Is this an ATT specific issue?
Show threadKurtFeb 22
@Daveop @marcoarment Same, I've done it from the Series 3 to the Series 6 to the Series 10. No issues with T-Mobile each time.
Show threadMichael WymanFeb 22
@Daveop @marcoarment could be; ATT has been crap every time I’ve upgraded my son’s watch and tried to keep the same number, requiring at least a phone call or a retail visit (it’s the only cell-connected device I’ve given him, and his friends message him on it)
Show threadPhilip HofstetterFeb 22
@marcoarment this must be a carrier specific issue. I have migrated my eSIM between watches multiple times and it was always completely hassle-free and automatic
Show threadDoug MillerFeb 22
@marcoarment I’m one more person on Verizon who’s gone from Series 5 cellular to Ultra in 2022 to Ultra 3 in 2025, all with no issue.