topic The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08 in Tech Support

The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 22:36:53 GMT

After O2 cancelled the wrong watch on my account (!), I am unable to setup my watch again.
See error below. I have been on with support who took my watch serial number (?) and reset it then told me to try 24 hours later. I still get the issue.
This happened to me a few years back when trying to reconnect a cancelled watch. Support had no idea at the time. It was O2Sarah or O2Emma who fixed it on the spot.

help!

paul

The error is:

We’re setting up your Apple Watch on the O2 network and we’ll text you when it’s all done. If you don’t receive a text within 24 hours, call 202 for free from your O2 mobile, quoting reference code 08.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Cleoriff — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 23:00:05 GMT

@ta88ycat

We no longer have the O2 Advisors. Such a shame as they fixed so many issues.

Nowadays you have to rely on O2. You could try an O2 store though. Visit with ID and see if anyone can help. Otherwise

Give O2 a call on 202 or 0344 809 202 (Contract)

Or you can message O2 on social media on Instagram https://o2uk.co/O2CIG), Facebook ( https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter ( https://o2uk.co/O2CTW).

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:20:32 GMT

My issue has been escalated in O2.
it’s the setup from the Apple Watch that hangs when it tried to connect to O2 ( not eSIM setup ). Something needs reset back at the O2 network side.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Smiffyboy — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:51:34 GMT

@ta88ycat any luck in getting your problem resolved? I have the same issue, which started when I swapped my Apple Watch for a new one. I’ve spoken to several people on 202, exchanged messages with the social media team and even raised an official complaint. I’m two weeks in, and still awaiting the promised call from the ‘technical team’. It seems that the previously employed forum advisors could solve this issue with little effort.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:21:05 GMT

Not yet. Back with the tech team again…

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 02:45:16 GMT

Not yet:

last chat update was Monday this week ( it’s Friday now ) and I had a call from o2 to check I had removed the watch plan - it’s back with their tech team.
surely if there is a code (08) someone must have a fix in O2?

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Oxonian — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:54:18 GMT

@ta88ycat

I think that I have just responded to that question on another thread !

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

OfficePenguin — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 22:56:28 GMT

I’m having the same issue since July. It’s now with the communication’s ombudsman, latest was that o2 offered £60….. but then only offered to get ‘someone from technical support’ to call me. They called and went through exactly the same troubleshooting steps as all the others before them. Have rejected the offer and said I need the problem resolving.

i don’t think it will get resolved though! Pointed them at the multiple threads on these forums but o2 cockily said they couldn’t look into any issues on the forums!!

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:49:31 GMT

Still not fixed here too. It’s now with technical again….

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:57:55 GMT

Have u tried this ?

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/Apple-Watch-Mobile-Data-Problem/td-p/1603773

I might give it a go.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Oxonian — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:05:49 GMT

@ta88ycat

Please keep us updated on developments !

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:51:41 GMT

No such luck. Still broken.
I’ve been in with O2 many times now, no one knows a thing, they closed my last ticket too - shambles. On with complaints now, but “ our call volumes are high at the moment” <- usual story, not enough staff, quality of support is rubbish. Thinking I may have grounds to cancel and move to EE ….

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:54:54 GMT

I do have an error code 10 now after the sim swap and repairing of the watch. O2 still none the wiser.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:57:27 GMT

Got through to O2. 15 minute wait.
they answered and hung up.
Rang back…..30 minute wait….

painful.
is anyone senior in O2 aware of this ?

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

ta88ycat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:47:42 GMT

Fixed!

got through to complaints and the nice lady told

me I needed a new eSIM on my account as the watch was showing no sim and no connection.
2hours later I received a text saying my watch plan was successful and my setup worked.
Solution - if the watch has no sim

and no connection then complaints need to add

your plan back on and that should fix it.

interestingly out of all the support and calls and texts and Twitter messages - this last person in Complaints was able to assess the problem, research the error and fix it.
happy days.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Oxonian — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:52:26 GMT

@ta88ycat

I am very pleased that your issue has eventually been resolved.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

mrdel — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:54:17 GMT

having this issue now and no one can help!

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

gmarkj — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:10:27 GMT

You need to keep going with o2 customer services @mrdel as there is no-one on the community who can resolve it.

The phone numbers are given in this post above , as well as links to the o2 social media team.

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

cccccc — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:05:44 GMT

Has anyone successfully added an Apple Watch to an O2 airtime plan when they own their phone outright so it's not strictly a device plan that runs with O2? My phone was bought independently and isn't a historic O2 device that was paid off. Customer service has been a total nightmare recently

Re: The dreaded Apple Watch won’t connect error 08

Oxonian — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:30:50 GMT

Could I suggest @cccccc that you do a detailed search of this forum for your problem ? There are absolutely hundreds of posts about Apple watches and one of them might - just might - contain an answer to your question.

Please let us know how you get on.