How to unpair apple watch with iphone

You can pass on your old Apple Watch or sell it when you buy a new one. But you don't want the data on your old Apple Watch to be available to others. You should also erase your data from the Apple Watch so that the next owner can use it. That's why you should reset the Apple Watch via the iPhone or on the Apple Watch itself. In this article, we'll tell you how to do that.

  1. Get started
  2. Reset via iPhone
  3. Reset on the Apple Watch

Reset the Apple Watch

You can reset your Apple Watch in two ways.

  • Reset and unpair via your iPhone if you want to delete all data and unpair the Apple Watch from the iPhone.
  • Only reset your Apple Watch to factory settings on your Apple Watch.

Reset Apple Watch via iPhone

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone

  • Go to the 'My Watch' tab and choose your Apple Watch

  • Tap the Info button and then tap 'Unpair Apple Watch'

  • Tap 'Unpair Apple Watch' again

  • Enter your Apple ID password

  • The Apple Watch will now be unpaired from your iPhone

If you reset the Apple Watch via the your iPhone, your Apple Watch will unpair from the iPhone and completely reset. This way, your Apple Watch is ready for the next owner. To reset the Apple Watch via your iPhone, your iPhone must be nearby.

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the My Watch tab and choose your Apple Watch.
  3. Tap the Info button and then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
  4. Tap again to confirm.
  5. When asked, enter your Apple ID password. The Apple Watch will now be reset.

Reset Apple Watch on the Apple Watch

  • Open the Settings app on the Apple Watch and tap 'General'

  • Tap 'Reset'

  • Click 'Delete all content and settings'

  • Enter your Apple Watch password, if you have one set

  • The Apple Watch will now be unpaired from your iPhone

  • The Apple Watch will now be unpaired from your iPhone

Do you want to continue to use your old Apple Watch during workouts only, for example? In that case, it's a good idea to reset the Apple Watch without unpairing it from your iPhone. You can do this on the Apple Watch.

  1. Go to the Settings app on the Apple Watch and tap General.
  2. Scroll to Reset and tap.
  3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  4. Tap Erase All to confirm. The Apple Watch will now be reset to factory settings, but it remains paired to your Apple ID and iPhone.

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Article by:

Robyn Apple Expert.

There are two ways: Use the phone or the watch

What to Know

  • On iPhone: Open the Watch app > All Watches > Info (i) > Unpair Apple Watch. Then, enter password > Unpair.
  • On Watch: Press the crown > Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings> Erase all.
  • Unpair using the iPhone if you need to remove Activation Lock protection.

This article explains how to unpair an Apple Watch from an iPhone, using either the iPhone or Apple Watch. Information applies to Apple Watches running watchOS 6 or later and to the iPhone Watch app in iOS 15 through iOS 10.

How to Unpair Apple Watch and iPhone on the Phone

You might want to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone if you plan to sell or give away the watch or if you plan to get a newer watch. Here's how to unpair your Apple Watch using the iPhone.

  1. Tap the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.

  2. Tap All Watches (or My Watch) at the top of the screen.

  3. Tap the Info (i) icon next to your watch.

  4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

  5. If you have an Apple Watch with cellular data capability, you need to indicate what to do with your monthly cellular plan. If you plan to pair this Apple Watch and iPhone again, tap Keep Plan. If you're going to pair a different Apple Watch and iPhone combination, tap Remove Plan. Tap to confirm.

  6. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted to do so. This is necessary if you want to turn off features such as Activation Lock and Find My Watch.

    You don't need to remove Activation Lock if you're going to pair the Apple Watch with another iPhone you own, but if you're going to sell it or give it away, you should remove it. The new owner won't be able to use the watch while it's still locked to your account.

  7. Tap Unpair Apple Watch > Unpair [Name] Apple Watch.

    The unpairing process takes a few minutes because the data on the watch is backed up to your iPhone. When your Apple Watch reboots to the language-choice screen, you've completed unpairing it from your iPhone.

    How to Disconnect Apple Watch and iPhone Using the Watch

    You can also unpair the Apple Watch using the watch itself. Doing so returns the watch to factory settings, but it doesn't remove Activation Lock. To do that, you must unpair the watch using the iPhone as described above.

    Only use this method if you plan to use the Apple Watch with another iPhone you own or a new iPhone.

    To unpair the two devices on the watch without removing Activation Lock:

  8. Press the Apple Watch crown to open the apps screen.

  9. Tap the Settings icon.

  10. Tap General.

  11. Scroll down and tap Reset.

  12. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

  13. Enter your password. For cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan on the watch.

    If you aren't going to keep your cellular plan, contact your carrier to cancel the service.

  14. Select Erase all. This action returns your Apple Watch to factory settings.

A copy of your Apple Watch data is backed up to the iPhone before it is erased.

What to Do When Upgrading to a New iPhone

If you plan to upgrade your phone following this unpairing process, make a backup of the old phone. When you unpaired your Apple Watch from the phone, as described above, the data from your Apple Watch was backed up on your phone.

Activate the new iPhone and restore the backed-up data (which includes the watch data) onto it.

Follow the standard steps to pair your Apple Watch with your new iPhone when the new phone is set up.

How to Erase an Apple Watch

FAQ

  • Why won't my Apple Watch pair with my phone?

    If your Apple Watch won't pair, check your watch's connection, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, then update and reboot both devices. If you still have trouble, clear the iPhone's network settings.

  • Why did my Apple Watch unpair?

    Your Apple Watch can get unpaired if you turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone, or if you turn on Airplane mode on either device.

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How do I unpair my Apple Watch without my phone?

Unpair Apple Watch without iPhone.
Put your Apple Watch on its charger..
Press and hold the side button as if you were going to power it down..
Do a firm press on the POWER OFF slider and let go..
Tap Erase all content and settings..

Does unpairing Apple Watch erase everything?

When you unpair Apple Watch from iPhone, the wearable is returned to factory settings. Since the watch is erased in the process, your iPhone automatically makes a backup of it. That's one of the reasons it's important to keep your Apple Watch close to your iPhone during the steps below.

How do I reset Apple Watch and pair again?

Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together until you complete these steps. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap the My Watch tab. Tap General > Reset. Tap Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings, then tap it again at the bottom of the screen to confirm.