SIM Card for Kids’ Smartwatches: Everything You Need to Know
Most smartwatches don’t require a SIM card because they connect to your phone, usually via Bluetooth, and use it to access the mobile network. However, if you’re looking to equip your child with a smartwatch that supports GPS, so you can use it as a location tracker, then you’ll want a SIM card. Smartwatches with SIM cards can access GSM, LTE, or other networks and may also offer limited options for making calls or sending texts, to help you keep in touch with your kids.
Download the Find My Kids app from AppStore and Google Play and set up the kid’s watches in two clicks without SMS commands!
Contents:
- Typical Smartwatch Features
- Smartwatches Aimed at Children
- Best smartwatches with SIM Card
- SIM Card Plans
- FAQ
Typical Smartwatch Features
Every smartwatch, just like a wristwatch, will work as a clock, but specific features beyond that vary widely. Fitness tracking was a big driver of smartwatch sales, so you can expect to find features such as a pedometer, fitness goal tracking, and inactivity reminders as standard, whether or not smartwatches have a SIM card and GPS. These features can offer some additional value over and above your desire to ensure your child’s safety and make the device more fun for children to use.
While most smartwatches act as companions to a smartphone, those with SIM cards can also act as stand-alone devices. This can be very important if you are looking to provide your child with a way of communicating without offering them the full internet access that phones allow, with all of the hazards that can bring. A smartwatch can be a good way of encouraging them to think about personal safety.
Some smartwatches also have cameras. Many have entertainment and learning apps or games. Although children may love these apps, many of the watches that support them do not have a SIM card or GPS support and so are unable to help you track your child. To get the full benefit from a smartwatch as a locator you need GPS and a child tracking app.
Smartwatches Aimed at Children
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Most adult smartwatches (such as the Apple Watch) offer the ability to make and receive calls, send messages, and even stream music, but they’re not cheap. They also have to be tethered to a smartphone to offer full functionality. If you’re looking for a smartwatch to provide you with location tracking for your child, then you’ll want something tailor-made for the purpose and more affordable.
Thankfully, there are plenty of smartwatches designed especially for kids. Many of these offer fitness tracking, various apps, and features to help you to monitor your child and apps that aim to educate children or even encourage them to do their chores. Most also have apps and games purely for entertainment.
Features Parents Should Look For
Remember if you want to use a smartwatch to ensure that you never have to worry about losing your little one, you need to choose a smartwatch with a SIM card and GPS support, but it pays to choose a device that your child will want to wear or you may find that it’s conveniently “lost” or left behind.
Geofencing is a particularly handy feature for parents, as it allows you to define an area and alerts you if your child goes beyond the parameters of that area. It’s also worth considering a smartwatch that allows you to contact your child and vice versa. If you know they can contact you with a couple of taps if they get into trouble, then neither of you needs to worry so much.
While many of the smartwatches designed especially for children are reasonably light on their battery and data demands, the adult versions are not. Streaming content uses power at an alarming rate. If the smartwatch is too power-hungry you either need to check that they are charging it every night and remembering to put it back on in the morning or risk the smartwatch running out of juice at an inopportune moment. GPS trackers cannot help you if the device has run out of charge.
You should also look for a device with PIN or password protection so that only you can change settings or add new apps.
How to Choose a Smartwatch with a SIM card?
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Consider network coverage
You have to check into network coverage. Smartwatches with SIM cards use cellular networks to operate. At present this can mean accessing 2G, 3G or 4G LTE networks (second, third, or fourth generation). 2G networks are increasingly being phased out. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile have already shut down their 2G networks.
It’s vital to check that you will be able to get a signal in your area and with your chosen provider before buying a smartwatch. Open Signal offers detailed reports on the coverage of 2G, 3G, and 4G for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.
If you’re planning on taking the smartwatch with you when you travel, you may need to check whether your carrier applies roaming charges. For example, Verizon will not charge you extra for using non-Verizon networks within the US, but you could rack up charges if you travel abroad.
While an adult user might expect their smartwatch to stream music or use it to browse the web, kids are less likely to and many smartwatches for children don’t even offer those options. That means data requirements are likely to be low. Just make sure that apps and games are downloaded, the software is updated, and photos are uploaded, at home when connected to Wi-Fi.
Choosing Locked or Unlocked Devices
There are many other options available through marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, but always check the specifications carefully before you buy and be wary of cheap devices from China which may not be compatible with US carriers. It’s a good idea to read related reviews and make sure the product you choose has the compatibility you want.
For any smartwatch you buy, it’s crucial to check whether it’s unlocked for every carrier or restricted. If you buy straight from a network carrier, the smartwatch may be locked to that carrier. You will either need to purchase a plan from them or arrange to unlock the smartwatch if you want to use a different carrier.
You can unlock a smartwatch that is tied to a carrier by requesting an unlock code from that carrier, or by buying a code through a third party such as Amazon. However, manufacturers do not recommend using third-party services, and there is a risk that the codes won’t work. It’s better to contact your carrier if you need to get a smartwatch unlocked.
Best Smartwatches with SIM Card
The Best Kids’ Watch with SIM Card: Pingo by Find My Kids
Watches come in two models (for toddlers and kids/teens) and different colors. They use nano SIM cards to offer GPS tracking with geofencing support. Your child can place and receive calls with up to 10 authorized contacts, and there is a handy SOS button that automatically dials your number in an emergency.
Find My Kids smartwatches have a high-sensitivity microphone so that you can listen in on your child’s surroundings in real time and a camera so you can get photos from the kid’s gadget!
It operates on 4G networks and costs anywhere from $99.
Choose the Find My Kids watches right now from the official store and get a FREE subscription to the Find My Kids app.
Verizon’s GizmoWatch 3
Watches are aimed at children between the ages of three and eleven. It combines GPS support with a 4G connection. It has two-way calling and messaging, as well as GPS location and boundary settings. It also has a basic step tracker and inactivity reminder to encourage fitness.
The watches cost $149.99 and the monthly service plan is $10 (as well as a $35 activation fee). You need to be an existing Verizon customer to use this watch.
TickTalk 4 Children’s SIM Card Smartwatch
A 4G-LTE smartwatch offers most of the central features of GPS smartwatches including video calling, voice calling, Wi-Fi calling, smart messaging, and location tracking. It uses a Nano SIM Card for smartwatch and is not tied to any one provider.
The watch comes with a free SIM card for convenient pay-as-you-go service. You can also add a subscription to TickTalk 4 to your T-Mobile or AT&T family plans. The smartwatch is also compatible with other carriers using GSM networks including Metro, PCS, Speedtalk and Cricket.
The price is $199.99.
LilTracker
These models use a micro smart watch SIM card to offer GPS tracking with geofencing support. Your child can place and receive calls with up to 15 authorized contacts, and there is a handy SOS button that automatically dials your number in an emergency. It has a high-sensitivity microphone so that you can listen in on your child’s surroundings in real time. It will even alert you if it’s removed from your child’s wrist.
The price is $129.99.
SIM Card Plans
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Smartwatches generally use a Nano SIM card or a micro SIM card. In most cases, this is free to order, but to activate it on a mobile network you’ll need to sign up for a plan. Take great care if you have to remove a SIM card for a watch from its slot and be sure never to force it into place. All of the leading US mobile carriers offer family plans and SIM-only plans. You can take advantage of pay-as-you-go plans if you don’t want to set up an annual contract.
One of the most important features of any smartwatch plan will be the data it offers. Unless you have purchased a premium adult smartwatch for your child, it is unlikely that they will be downloading music or video, so you probably won’t need an enormous data allowance or a high-speed connection.
However, if the smartwatch can make voice and video calls there is always the possibility that your child will want to call you a number of times a day until the novelty wears off. If they use a messaging app, then this could burn through a lot of data. Make sure you know how to check the balance on your GPS watch to avoid running out of data while your child is out and about.
Now, let’s take a look at the difference between different carriers and what they offer in terms of wireless reliable connectivity.
AT&T
You can fit the AT&T Compatible Nano SIM Card into many smartwatches. AT&T has withdrawn its child-centered GPS smartwatch (the fiLIP) but still offers a variety of plans, depending on the quantity of data you need and whether you want multiple phone lines.
You can opt for one of its data-only plans (with an average rate of $14.99/250MB on the 250MB plan and $10/GB for the 3GB and 5GB plans).
| Data | 50 GB | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Price per month | $65.00 | $35.00 | $10.00 |
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It also offers prepaid options.
| Data | 5 GB | 16 GB | Unlimited |
| Price | $30 | $25 (12 months) | $50 |
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Verizon
You can add a smartwatch to one of Verizon’s unlimited plans. Verizon also has a number of data-only plans for connected devices. You need to pay a monthly line access fee of $10 per device and can then choose how much data you think you will need. There is a data overage of $15 per GB.
| GB per month | 5 GB | 25 GB | 100 GB | 150 GB |
| Price | $40 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
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T-Mobile
You can get the T-Mobile One plan for wearables, but only if you have bought the smartwatch from them. It will give you unlimited talk, text, and data up to 512Kbps for $10 per month.
If your child already has their own personal cell phone, then take a look at T-Mobile DIGITS, which allows you to use the same phone number on a smartwatch, assuming it supports calls.
Sprint
If you already have a plan with Sprint, then you can add a smartwatch with unlimited data, talk, and text for an extra $10 per month. You can knock that down to $5 per month if you set up AutoPay.
Other providers
You don’t have to sign up with one of the big four in order to obtain network access for your smartwatch. US Mobile offers a prepaid plan. You can use its 3 in 1 SIM Card which can be cut to the correct size for your smartwatch (most likely Nano) and then customize your plan depending on the quantity of talk, text and data you will need.
| Talk | $2.00 ⠀ 75 mins |
$3.00 ⠀ 150 mins |
$4.00 ⠀ 300 mins |
$5.00 ⠀ 500 mins |
$6.00 ⠀ 1000 mins |
| Text | $1.50 ⠀ 50 texts |
$2.00 ⠀ 100 texts |
$3.00 ⠀ 300 texts |
$4.00 ⠀ 1,000 texts |
$5.00 ⠀ 2,000 texts |
| Data | $1.50 ⠀ 50 MB |
$2.00 ⠀ 100 MB |
$5.00 ⠀ 500 MB |
$10.00 ⠀ 1 GB |
$10.00 ⠀ 2 GB |
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It also offers unlimited talk and text for $8 with 5GB data for an extra $20, 50 GB for an extra $30, or unlimited data for an extra $30.
another affordable supplier of 3 in 1 SIM cards is Speedtalk Mobile. It offers a number of flexible plans depending on the quantity of data you are likely to use, with no need to sign up for a contract.
| Plan 1 | $5 for 30 days | 100 mins talk, or | 100 SMS, or | 100 MB data | Roaming |
| Plan 2 | $7.50 for 30 days | 250 mins talk, or | 250 SMS, or | 250 MB data | Roaming |
| Plan 3 | $9 for 30 days | 500 mins talk, or | Unlimited SMS, or | 500 MB data | No Roaming |
| Plan 4 | $38.28 for 6 months | 250 mins talk, or | 250 SMS, or | 250 MB data | Roaming |
| Plan 5 | $45.9 for 6 months | 500 mins talk a month, or | Unlimited SMS, or | 500 MB data monthly | No Roaming |
| Plan 6 | $86.40 for 12 months | 500 mins talk a month, or | Unlimited SMS, or | 500 MB data monthly | No Roaming |
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Guide to Getting the Best out of Your GPS Smartwatch
Once you have sifted through smartwatch models to find the one that suits your child best and decided which carrier you are going to use, you need to set up an app so that you can track your child and define safe zones. The best choice for this purpose is the Find My Kids app—you will not only see your child’s current location but also receive notifications about places they visit and listen to what surrounds them.
FAQ
Do Smartwatches Need a SIM card?
Yes, if they work through a mobile network or cell towers to determine the location of the owner.
How to Program a Blank SIM Card for a smartwatch?
A blank SIM card is one that doesn’t have any personal information already loaded onto it. In a way, it’s like a blank slate. There’s no need to erase anything on the card, you can start from scratch.
Some instances where you might require a new SIM card are if you have purchased a new watch or if you are changing carriers. Alternatively, your old SIM card may no longer be working, and so you’ve replaced it. Either way, there are some steps you need to take to activate this blank SIM card.
- The first thing you should do when you receive a new SIM card is to copy the numbers down. Sometimes, the SIM numbers will be printed on a pamphlet along with the new SIM card packaging. If this is the case, simply hold on to this information for later use. If not, you’ll need to copy them down yourself.
- Another number you’ll need in addition to the actual SIM card number is the activation key. This should be included with the purchase of the SIM card. If not, contact your carrier before continuing to the next step.
- Next, you’ll need to register your SIM card with the carrier you’ve chosen. Often, you can do this by going online to the carrier’s website and entering your SIM card number. Another way to register your new SIM card is by calling your carrier and speaking to a representative who can complete the registration for you.
Can I Use Any SIM Cards for Smartwatch?
No, different models have different requirements for cards, mainly it concerns their size.
What SIM Card do You Need for a Smartwatch?
If you haven’t yet purchased a SIM card for your smartwatch, you will need to do so before your device can make or receive any calls or messages. When purchasing a children’s smartwatch SIM card, you need to know that they are not all the same. In fact, there are three main types: standard, micro, and nano. Each type has a different size, and they are not compatible with one another. That means if you purchase the wrong type, not only will it not work; it will not even fit inside your watch.
Keep in mind that Apple watches require a completely different SIM card called an eSIM. Instead of being a separate card, the eSIM is built right into the watch.
How Much does it Cost to Get a SIM Card for Your Smartwatch?
Kids’ watch SIM cards are relatively cheap, but their prices may vary. The price starts from $0 to $20, but if you have an existing account, the SIM card is provided free of charge.
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