Apple Watch Cellular Data stuck on 'Activating'

[markrduk]

Hi there

I purchased a new Apple Watch Cellular with data plan from O2 last week and it came Friday morning.

I don't seem to be able to get the Cellular data working on the watch. I've activated the plan, but it's just stuck on 'Activating'.

I called 202 over the weekend and factory reset the watch (and they said they reset everything at their end) and tried to re-set it up, but it's still activating.

Spoke to somebody on chat who said they would raise a ticket, but that it will take days... I'm ready to just send the thing back - does anyone have any suggestions?

(Visual Voicemail and WiFi calling are activated and phone and watch are up to date with the latest software version.)

Many thanks

[pgn]

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@mjs_1 wrote:

Has anyone on this thread got their watch connected? If so, how?

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The scattergun approach won't get you very far forward, @mjs_1 - reading this will give clear instruction as to how to proceed: Activate Apple Watch Guide 

[mjs_1]

Just asking the question!

I'm 4 weeks and counting into this ordeal of Apple Watch activation. Have been through 202 phone, 202 chat, o2 shop, replacement SIM card, twitter and messenger support but getting nowhere 

[pgn]

And presumably replacement E-SIM in the watch, @mjs_1?

The same O2 Social Media team covers all of those platforms - X, FB and Instagram, so pick one, use the private or DM component and stick with it. Nudge them periodically too.

Good luck!

[mjs_1]

The esim inside the Apple Watch cannot be replaced?

I'm stuck with an error code 08.  

o2 cannot see an Apple Watch airtime sync1 plan on my account,  I'm stuck in the activating stage.  They also cannot add an apple watch plan to my phone number as that can only be done via the iPhone watch app directly.

I got a replacement physical phone SIM last week, which allowed me to run the sign up process again, choose the Apple Watch plan and agree to £7 a month. I then get the activating screen like others in this thread and then after a number of days just shows error 08 and that's that.

[pgn]

e-sim reset, I guess I meant 😁

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Tech-Support/Apple-Watch-data-plan-error-code-14/m-p/1568600/highlight...

and

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Tech-Support/unable-to-get-Esim-on-my-Apple-Watch/m-p/1745264/highligh...

This is an older answer, might give you a pointer?

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-and-Services/Apple-Watch-not-connecting-to-O2-data/m-p/...

Or this:

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Tech-Support/Problem-activating-eSIM-for-Apple-Watch-Ultra/m-p/1599010...

There is an answer submitted by someone who worked it all out himself, using the watch app and same on phone, can't find that one just at the moment @mjs_1 

[mjs_1]

Thanks, yes I've seen all of those posts already.

Yes I'm stuck in activating it seems, but somehow after that stage as it just goes straight to error 08. Problem is o2 can't see it their side to reset or clear it.

I found a post from someone else on here whose issues were ongoing for months too, sounded identical to mine. He finally changed his SIM card which restarted the whole activation process and it went through then within minutes.

I've tried a new SIM but still didn't go through. Perhaps I need to keep trying new SIM cards until it goes through?

[pgn]

The new SIM card tack will now require that you either present in an O2 Store, in person, with phone and photo id, or call 202 and have a replacement SIM sent. Note that O2 will deactivate the existing SIM you have once they dispatch your new SIM via Royal Mail, effectively taking you off the network for a few days...

Just so you know, @mjs_1 

Have you hard-reset the watch at all, to see if that helps?

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/watch/apd521a8a902/watchos

[mjs_1]

@pgn  Thanks - yes I had a new SIM 7 days ago and got it from o2 shop in person, so have been through that process too. I don't think I can put myself through the esim swap and potential to lose service for days/weeks!!

Also tried hard reset, unpair / pair, even full watch erase and setup from new and clean install.  Multiple times I may add.
The watch itself is a 10 was only purchased 4 weeks ago. Never had it working so far, plus never had an Apple Watch plan before!