With Shared Data Wearable service (also known as Companion service), your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone on a compatible data plan, shares the same phone number, and uses your iPhone's monthly data.
Standalone Data Wearable service uses your iPhone to set up an Apple Watch for a family member, which can then be used with its own phone number and its own included data even without the iPhone nearby. Apple refers to this as Family Setup. Standalone Data service is only available on Apple Watch Series 4 and above.
Switch an Apple Watch between shared data and standalone data service in a few simple steps.
- Unpair your Watch and iPhone
- During the unpairing process, remove your cellular plan.
- Your Apple Watch can now be activated for shared data or standalone data service.
