As of June 7, 2026, parents in Australia can now connect their children’s Apple Watches to a mobile network using Telstra, the first telco to offer this capability. The service costs $20 per month per child, providing a standalone phone number, calls, texts, and 2GB of data for the wearable device.
How does the Apple Watch for Kids plan work?
The new Telstra service allows an Apple Watch to function as a standalone device rather than relying on a parent’s phone connection. To use this, families must have an Apple Watch model that supports cellular connectivity via an eSIM. According to reports, this plan functions as an independent subscription, adding a unique phone number to the wearable. This enables children to use essential features like maps, music, messages, Siri, and calendar entries, alongside emergency SOS and health tracking, without needing to carry an iPhone.
What are the costs and hardware requirements?
Accessing this service requires a recurring financial commitment. Telstra charges $20 per month per child, which is billed in addition to an existing parent mobile plan—plans that currently start at $74 per month. This means a family with two children using connected watches would incur an additional $40 monthly charge. Furthermore, the hardware must be a cellular-capable Apple Watch; standard WiFi or Bluetooth-only models are incompatible with the service.
How does this compare to standard watch plans?
There is a distinct difference between the new kids-focused plan and standard adult Apple Watch connections. Typically, an adult Apple Watch plan costs roughly $8 per month and shares the existing phone number of a parent’s SIM. In contrast, the Telstra plan for children issues an entirely new, independent number. While this provides greater autonomy for the child, it is priced significantly higher than the standard $8 add-on, making it a more expensive option for maintaining wrist-based connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need an iPhone to set this up? Yes, the Apple Watch for Kids mode is managed through a parent’s account.
- Can I use a hand-me-down watch? Yes, provided the Apple Watch model supports cellular connectivity and an eSIM.
- Does the plan include data? Yes, the $20 monthly plan includes 2GB of data, which is intended for standard wearable usage.
- Is this available on other networks? As of June 2026, Telstra is the only telco in Australia supporting this specific cellular feature for kids.
Are you considering getting a connected watch for your child, or do you find the monthly costs too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on wearable technology trends.