Pairing an apple watch w/ Spanish SIM card

Phoenix

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

.

• Nov 12, 2021

• #1

Before I go down the rabbit hole of searching tech sites, checking in here to see if anyone has experience on Camino with pairing an apple watch with their phone after installing a SIM card purchased in Spain, Portugal, etc.

If so, did you encounter problems either while on Camino or after re-pairing with your pre-Camino SIM card? TIA

 

F

Former member 91017

Guest

• Nov 12, 2021

• #2

Zero problems... I've done it on two trips now. The watch pairs with your hardware, not with the SIM card, so it makes no difference.


Edit to add: the watch, like the phone, will automatically adjust to your new timezone(s) as well. You don't need to adjust it.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 12, 2021

Phoenix

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

.

• Nov 12, 2021

• #3

Faye Walker said:

Zero problems... I've done it on two trips now. The watch pairs with your hardware, not with the SIM card, so it makes no difference.


Edit to add: the watch, like the phone, will automatically adjust to your new timezone(s) as well. You don't need to adjust it.

Click to expand...

Great news. Thanks, Faye!

 

Zbigniew

Zbig

Time of past OR future Camino

Norte & Primitivo (2018)
Via de la Plata (2019)

• Nov 13, 2021

• #4

Some of the Apple Watches of the latest generations do not need a paired hardware to act as a phone. If you have one, you may get in touch with a Spanish or Portuguese operator to get, apart from the physical SIM, also a virtual SIM (a code that you install on your watch). One item less to carry.

 

F

Former member 91017

Guest

• Nov 13, 2021

• #5

Zbigniew said:

Some of the Apple Watches of the latest generations do not need a paired hardware to act as a phone. If you have one, you may get in touch with a Spanish or Portuguese operator to get, apart from the physical SIM, also a virtual SIM (a code that you install on your watch). One item less to carry.

Click to expand...

Oh, yes; that is the cellular enabled version, but given the OP information I don’t think Phoenix has a cell-ready watch.

 

Phoenix

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

.

• Nov 13, 2021

• #6

Faye Walker said:

Oh, yes; that is the cellular enabled version, but given the OP information I don’t think Phoenix has a cell-ready watch.

Click to expand...

It is cell enabled. My wife recently gifted me an apple watch. I’m still learning about it as I transition from an analog watch for years —> no watch for years —> smart watch. All info is helpful and appreciated.

 

F

Former member 91017

Guest

• Nov 13, 2021

• #7

Phoenix said:

It is cell enabled. My wife recently gifted me an apple watch. I’m still learning about it as I transition from an analog watch for years —> no watch for years —> smart watch. All info is helpful and appreciated.

Click to expand...

Ah! OK…. Then you have a choice!
I suggest you have a chat with a Genius Bar person, or go to your regional apple website and use their online tech support. Conceivably, you could keep your domestic SIM in one unit, and put your Spanish SIM in the other, or you could choose to run your watch without a SIM at all while you are in Spain…
Your Apple tech people will help you to assess *which* route you want to take.
What I think you are going to want to make sure the “genius” know is that you want all the data (location, health, activity) to be shared consistently, and that you are travelling to Spain (or Portugal… ) and anticipate using a Cell provider there for the duration of your walk.