If you can’t pair an Apple Watch with your iPhone

When you set up Apple Watch, your iPhone will ask you to hold the watch up to your iPhone camera. If your iPhone says that it’s unable to connect to Apple Watch – or the watch shows a clock face – make sure that Apple Watch isn’t already paired.

Unpair Apple Watch from the paired iPhone

If you have the paired iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch:

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.

  2. Tap the “i” buttonI button next to the watch you want to unpair, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.

  3. Tap again to confirm, then wait for the watch to unpair.

  4. After Apple Watch has unpaired, you can pair again.

Erase Apple Watch without the paired iPhone

If you can't unpair Apple Watch because you don't have its paired iPhone, you can erase the watch.

When you erase Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, enter the Apple ID and password that was used to set it up.

  1. Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Reset.

  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap again to confirm.

  3. Wait for the watch to unpair.

  4. After Apple Watch has unpaired completely, you can pair again. You’ll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.

Reset Apple Watch without using a passcode

If you can't unpair or erase your Apple Watch because you've forgotten its passcode, you can reset the watch.

When you reset Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, you’ll need to enter the Apple ID and password that were used to set it up.

  1. Put Apple Watch on its charger.

  2. Press and hold the side button until you see the screen with the power buttonNo alt supplied for Image in the top right-hand corner, then let go of the side button. If your Apple Watch has an earlier version of watchOS, you’ll see the Power Off slider instead of the power button.

  3. Press and hold the Digital Crown until the red Reset button appears.

  4. Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm.

  5. After Apple Watch has unpaired completely, you can pair again. Remember that you’ll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.

Reset Apple Watch if the pairing process stalls

If it seems like the pairing process has stalled – for example, the pairing animation remains on the screen for several minutes – resetting your Apple Watch may help:

  1. Press and hold the Digital Crown while your Apple Watch is in pairing mode.

  2. Tap Reset when it appears on your watch.

  3. After your watch has reset, you can pair again.

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