Even though some people are ditching their smartwatches, there are also plenty of reasons why users continue to enjoy their wearable devices, and many of them at least consider purchasing a dedicated data plan just for their devices. What seems like a reasonable idea at first glance, however, is often not the right solution at all for many users.
Of course, smartwatches are a convenient way to track your health and fitness, monitor your calendar, view notifications, and (of course) check the time. Apple Watch safety features you didn’t know existed, like fall detection and Compass Backtrack, have even saved lives, making them especially useful for seniors and hikers. If you want to get the most out of your smartwatch, you may have also considered signing up for a data plan for your device.
On paper, a data plan seems like a good idea, especially if you can get a good deal or bundle it with your smartphone plan. Data plans allow you to use your smartwatch without a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, meaning you can enjoy it independently of your phone. But while these benefits sound great, they really aren’t worth it for many smartwatch users. Here are some of the reasons why.
You will rarely need it
A data plan lets you use your smartwatch independently of a smartphone, allowing you to access major features like calls and texts even when you’re not near your phone. This extra flexibility is nice, but think about how often you would actually need to use it. When was the last time you left your phone at home? Was it on purpose?
Since you’ll get the exact same benefits from just having your phone with you, this independence really isn’t a compelling reason to get a data plan in most cases. While you may want to go for a run without carrying your phone while still having access to your music and a way to contact family, friends, or emergency services in the event of an accident, you can simply get a running armband or workout clothes with pockets. There may be some niche cases where a smartwatch data plan might come in handy, but for the most part, it doesn’t make sense to spend money on a plan when you’re already paying for your smartphone plan.
Save money on another monthly charge
Speaking of pocket money, a data plan for your smartwatch would just be an extra cost to add to your monthly expenses. As an example, Verizon plans for Android and Apple Watches start at $15 per month, with a 50% discount if you add a line to an existing, eligible smartphone plan. Even at $7.50 per month ($90 per year), you may not get enough benefits to justify the cost. As mentioned above, everything you get with a data plan, you also get from having your phone nearby.
You should also keep in mind that a smartwatch data plan is like that of a smartphone, which means you’re often signing a contract with a provider. It’s not like Netflix or iCloud, where you can just cancel it after a month or two if you find you’re not using it, at least not without paying a cancellation fee. A smartwatch data plan is something of an extra on your monthly phone bill, one for something you might not even use much.
Data plans don’t work with all smartwatches
The specific smartwatch and phone carrier you have may impact whether or not you can get a data plan. For example, the Apple Watch Series 11 offers GPS and GPS + Cellular models, so if you have the former, you won’t be able to add a data plan later. Models that support data plans are also often more expensive. For example, the Apple Watch with GPS starts at $399, while the GPS + Cellular version starts at $499.
Continuing with the Apple Watch example, the device supports Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Boost Mobile. These are the major service providers, but that leaves out smaller carriers, including four of the best phone plan providers of 2026. Considering the deep discounts you get for adding a smartwatch to an existing plan, it certainly doesn’t make sense to get a separate plan and, unless you’re really unhappy with your cell phone provider, it usually doesn’t make sense to upgrade to your watch.
On top of that, phone carriers are notorious for being confusing when it comes to plan costs, with users on Reddit and other forums reporting that what they thought was a cheap monthly plan has turned into a heavy weight around their neck. Dealing with your provider can be frustrating enough for essentials like Wi-Fi and cell service without adding another – likely unnecessary – service to the pile.
