How to Activate Samsung watch LTE

Update May 2022

I had learned about this problem after I already bought the watch and didn't want to take it back and get an Apple Watch so I tried contacting T-Mobile about setting it up and they were still unaware of the problem. Samsung also claimed to not know why the watch couldn't activate the service. I finally decided to go this way and when I called a local T-Mobile store to see if they would be willing to help me, they flat out said no. They said, incorrectly I add, that Samsung watches can only be used with Samsung devices and that they wouldn't be able to help. I tried explaining the process to the woman I spoke to and she straight up cut me off and said they weren't willing to help and that it wasn't possible. My only route was to Find a friend with a Samsung phone or to buy one just for the purpose of getting the LTE set up and then returning it. I tried finding friends with them but none were close enough to help. I ended up just buying one on Amazon and sure enough I was able to get everything working from that phone. After I finished setting everything up, I wiped the phone and will be returning it to Amazon. It's a lot of hoops to jump through just to get the service activated on your watch and it's bogus. Shame on Samsung for being so petty as to make a watch that is "compatible" with other non-Samsung phones but not compatible at the same time. People should not have to jump through hoops to get their devices to work as they're supposed to. Without a Samsung phone to activate the LTE, all you have is a Bluetooth connection. The non LTE watches are cheaper and do the same thing so they're really ripping people off by saying that their watch is compatible with any phone. Shame on T-Mobile as well because they perpetuate the problem by not being up to date on how it all works and their incompetence is only to get you to buy another device that is compatible. I can't tell you how many times someone said, "well maybe I can interest you in an Apple Watch." If I wanted an Apple Watch, I would've bought an Apple Watch to begin with, thanks. Sorry for the rant. In short, this method is still valid and working but do not count on your local T-Mobile store being as helpful as the OG poster. I know mine wasn't. 

Hey there!  First, did you get your eSIM actvated?  Did you get your watch from T-Mobile?  If so, you should have a new line set up with the Data with Paired DIGITS plan.

If you didn't get it from T-Mobile, you'll want to ensure that you do have a line on your account with the afore mentioned plan.  Once you have established the line, you'll want to make sure it is paired with your phone number.  Administrar usuarios y vinculaciones de DIGITS

There isn't a ton of info out there about setting up this particular watch, but I can't help but wonder if it is very different from Samsung's previous standalone devices.  Primer uso: Samsung Gear S3 frontier  might be able to give you some clues.

¡Hola, @kronikole​!

@magentatechie is spot-on. Did the steps she passed along help you activate your watch?

Keep us posted!

Actually, no. I don't really see "steps" in any of the posts.  I see that you think this watch will be the same as all the others.  But it is absolutely not. After hours on the phone, T-Mobile could not get the eSIM recognized.  Of course, T Mobile support knows all the steps to get the the correct DIGITS plan working.

Then I spent another two hours in the T-mobile store, and even the store associate needed to call T Mobile support, and THEY had to escalate.

Currently, I do have a number for the watch, but all calls go to voicemail.  The watch does not ring.  I paired it with an iPhone from Verizon, and the Bluetooth connectivity works great! I get calls texts and message from m iPhone.  Yay Verizon!

Point is, all screens and commands are different on this watch, and you will need to go to work to update your documentation. One very important thing is that with this watch there is no ICCID on the watch.  No matter how many times T Mobile asked me for the ICCID, I had to give them the same answer/

Hopefully it will start working today.

I have found the exact same issue.  I spent 3 hours on the phone trying to get 2 devices (I took them up on their half price deal) working and being thrown to different departments.  One person would tell me they only work with Samsung phones.  This is certainly not in the documentation.  I think this is so new, they do not have their software and processes down yet on how to activate this phone.  If I am wrong, someone tell me what the secret is because I am extremely frustrated,

Alrighty, terribly sorry about that- I had no idea that this watch would be so different from the previous versions!  I certainly agree that there needs to be more updated information about the new watch. 

I am curious about a couple of things, though- when you say that T-Mobile couldn't get the eSIM recognized, I'm not sure what you mean by that.  Did they receive an error message when they attempted to activate the eSIM on your Data with Paired Digits line?  Was there any mention of the EID?  This is a number located on the original box that is used to activate the eSIM.  Also, the ICCID and the SIM are the same number, are you saying that your watch has nothing in the space at Settings>About Watch>Device?  I ask because we did have another fellow whose eSIM/ICCID was missing or blank in his settings.

I realize you have spent a ton of time trying to get the watch up and running and I know you're very frustrated.  Again, I'm sorry for assuming that the watches would be similar to set up. 

If you can, could you please call me on the number ending I'm 0150? Esta

is Renee Rapp, the wife. I know the situation, but I'm not one to converse

this way.

TY

Hey there, so sorry to hear about your troubles.  As proven by @kronikole​, the watch is indeed compatible with Android and iOS devices, so I'm sorry you were given incorrect information. 😥

You both are right about the lack of updated information about the watch; with T-Mobile and on the internet in general.  T-Mobile finally released an overview page for the Galaxy Watch with some basic information, but nothing about getting it connected to the LTE network, unfortunately.  I know this hasn't been the best experience, but I'd like to try to help turn it around if I can. 

So you have 2 watches, this means that you should have 2 new mobile internet lines of service on your account.  Are they both set to Data with Paired DIGITS and are the lines paired with your phone number?  So sorry that you've had to go through so much and I'm sure you're tired of answering questions but I really feel like I can point you in the right direction if given the chance.

Hi there!  This is a community forum and while there are T-Mobile moderators present, no one here has access to your account so calling out isn't an option.  I know it's not ideal, but there are lots of people here who would love to help you guys out if we have all of the information.

Okay, so... Without being bluetooth'd to my phone, it's just a really big

watch. When we went round and round last night, they only asked for the

eSIM number and kept saying it was activated. My understanding is that the

watch has a different phone number to allow it to stand alone, but but that

the new sim was to be able to get everything from my phone's number to my

watch. We were told we needed the DIGIT app on my phone. We installed

that, but didn't get any further. It asked for the device phone number,

not saying Wich device, phone or watch. Either way, it wanted a pin number

that it never sent, so we could not finish setting up the app. My husband

is a professional techno-geek (no offense intended), but he got no where.

If it were just me... I'd send it back because... meh. Anyone have any

clue? My husband really wants them and paid a lot of money to get them.

Gracias.