BetterRoaming eSIM for Apple Watch (When Main iPhone Using Boost)

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  grrrrr on 19/05/2024 - 09:01

  Is this the first non-Truphone MVNO eSIM for Apple Watch in Aus ??

  I guess it would depend on who they are using for the network… can’t see any details on their website

  Truphone is Vodafone and I read a lot of complaints about watches having poor coverage with their eSIM…

  • 

    BigLeviathan on 19/05/2024 - 09:21

    Thanks for your reply. Since you mentioned Truphone, I’ve decided to check them out.

    Interesting that apple website also talks about them, not even mention Optus or Telstra

    • 

      pangwen on 19/05/2024 - 19:39

      The Truphone website seems to redirect to BetterRoaming for me. Must be a rebrand or something.

      • 

        grrrrr on 20/05/2024 - 09:25

        Ah right you are - that's a shame :)

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  garbagetnt on 19/05/2024 - 11:46

  +1

  this is new, gonna follow

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  bargaino on 19/05/2024 - 20:15

  +1

  Apple is a PITA for LTE. The watch will only work in family mode with this plan, so you miss a lot of features.
  https://www.theverge.com/21518711/apple-watch-family-setup-t…

  Consider getting an Android watch. You can use any eSIM, so only costs around $10/year, and it puts no limits on the features.

  • 

    grrrrr on 19/05/2024 - 20:30

    I read the Verge article… apart from some features like fall detection and ecg monitoring below a certain age, what things are you really missing out on ?

    The article author was mostly complaining about COVID lockdown restrictions and impacts on usage from what I could see ?

    Yes an android watch is much cheaper, but I was under the impression the battery life is generally pretty bad ?

    • 

      bargaino on 19/05/2024 - 23:00

      I forget why, but looked at Truphone some years ago, and too many limits.
      No apple pay? And of course Apple never allows 3rd party payment apps.
      You cannot link it to your phone, which removes a lot of functions. Works for a kid who does not have a phone, I guess.

  • 

    lint on 20/05/2024 - 11:01

    Yep I considered an Apple Watch with Cellular for my grandma. She doesn't use a phone, so it would be useful for fall detection and tracking health, etc.

    Turns out Family Setup for Apple Watch is so nerfed that half the health features of the watch are unavailable, but it's the only way they allow you to set up a separate mobile service for the watch. It's so dumb, you're better off just getting them a phone.

    • 

      bargaino on 20/05/2024 - 11:07

      A big problem with using any watch for fall detection and emergency calls is that they need to charge it every night.

      Google Home mini or equivalent is a cheap way to provide emergency calls. They have very sensitive directional mic's, so 2 or 3 can cover a home. Works in theory, but when the elderly fall, they typically forget about their call buttons.

      • 

        lint on 20/05/2024 - 11:13

        There's no issue with charging it once a day. The Apple Watches with fast charge basically just need to be put on the charger while you're in the shower and doing your night routine before bed. The point of the fall detection is so family can be notified even if she's out, so ideally it needs to be something that she has with her.

        The point of Family Setup on Apple Watch is specifically to enable either older or younger family members to have an Apple Watch without needing a phone, you'd think a primary use case for that would be to monitor their health metrics as well, but nope, health sharing is unavailable in Family Setup lol.