Confirmed: Standalone Cell C Prepaid eSIM Working on Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE (South Africa)

Nsanity

Nsanity

New Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2024
Messages
5
Reaction score
5
After spending several days researching this, I wanted to share a confirmed working setup because I couldn't find a documented example for South Africa.

Objective​

I wanted my Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE to operate completely independently with its own phone number, mobile data, calls and SMS.

I specifically did not want:

  • Vodacom OneNumber
  • MTN Wearable Service
  • A contract
  • Number sharing
I'm currently unable to take out a contract, so I needed a genuine prepaid solution.

Hardware​

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
  • One UI 8.5

Carrier​

Cell C Prepaid eSIM

What worked​

The key was enabling Samsung's hidden QR Test Mode inside the Galaxy Wearable app.

Once QR Test Mode was enabled, I was able to install the Cell C prepaid eSIM directly onto the watch using the eSIM QR code.

After completing RICA and activating the Cell C line, everything worked exactly as hoped.

Verified Working​

✅ Standalone LTE

✅ Mobile data

✅ Outgoing calls

✅ Incoming calls

✅ SMS send

✅ SMS receive

✅ Independent Cell C mobile number

✅ Bluetooth OFF

✅ Wi-Fi OFF

The watch functions completely independently from the phone.

Notes​

  • This is not using OneNumber.
  • This is not using number sharing.
  • The watch has its own Cell C number.
  • This is a prepaid eSIM.

Why I'm posting this​

When I started researching this, almost every answer I found suggested that Galaxy Watches in South Africa required a contract or OneNumber-type service.

In my testing, that isn't universally true.

At least on this configuration:

  • Galaxy Watch 7 LTE
  • S24 FE (One UI 8.5)
  • Cell C prepaid eSIM
  • Hidden QR Test Mode enabled
the watch works as a fully standalone LTE device.

If anyone else tries this on another Samsung watch model or another South African network, I'd be very interested to hear the results so we can determine how broadly this works.
 
Smiggles said:
Air mobile as well

eSIM | Afrihost

Instructions on how to set up your AirMobile eSIM, plus a list of compatible devices.
www.afrihost.com www.afrihost.com
View attachment 1919104
Click to expand...
I wish I had known this sooner, Thanks for adding to the list. So I tried scanning the AirMobile code into my watch and it did not activate the sim, Do you have to activate it on your phone first then transfer it to the watch, does it then become a shared number? @Smiggles
 
Last edited:
Nsanity said:
I wish I had known this sooner, Thanks for adding to the list. So I tried scanning the AirMobile code into my watch and it did not activate the sim, Do you have to activate it on your phone first then transfer it to the watch, does it then become a shared number? @Smiggles
Click to expand...
Edit: The sim activated the next day on the watch, AirMobile confirmed working
 
Why did you have to get AI to write something so completely unnecessary and verbose for you and then post it here?

It’s an eSIM…if the device supports it then it will work.
 
Nsanity said:
Edit: The sim activated the next day on the watch, AirMobile confirmed working
Click to expand...
Nice just wish any of these worked on the Apple watch.
SauRoNZA said:
Why did you have to get AI to write something so completely unnecessary and verbose for you and then post it here?

It’s an eSIM…if the device supports it then it will work.
Click to expand...
Not on the Apple watch for some reason.
 
Just a pity that the samsung watches battery life is so bad
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X