Prepare your Apple Watch for Express Replacement Service
After you schedule Express Replacement Service*, you'll get a kit that has your replacement Apple Watch and everything that you need to send your original Apple Watch to Apple.
Prepare your Apple Watch for service
If you have your iPhone:
For an Apple Watch with watchOS 27 or later, turn on Ready for Repair on your paired iPhone with iOS 27 or later.
For an Apple Watch with watchOS 26 or earlier, unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone with iOS 26 or earlier.
If you don’t have your iPhone, erase your Apple Watch.
Remove your watch band.
Learn how to unpair or erase your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is unresponsive and you don’t have your iPhone, you can remove the cards that you use with Apple Pay and turn off Apple Cash on the web at your Apple Account page.
Pack your Apple Watch
Your Express Replacement Service kit includes everything you need to pack up and send your original Apple Watch to Apple — including the box that your replacement Apple Watch arrived in, which you’ll use to send your original watch to Apple.
When you pack your Apple Watch, don’t include anything else in the box — like the watch band or other accessories. If you do, they won’t be returned to you.
Place your original Apple Watch in the smaller insert box, then close the insert's lid. Make sure that the screen of your watch faces up.
Place the insert into the larger box, then close it. Make sure that the battery sticker is pasted flat on the box and isn't covered by tape or a shipping label.
Ship your original Apple Watch to Apple
Find the name of the courier on the provided return shipping label.
Visit the courier's website to schedule a pickup or find a drop-off location.
Make sure to get a receipt from the courier to confirm that you've returned your original Apple Watch. Apple isn't responsible for any damage during shipping.
Apple will release the temporary hold on your card after we process your original device and confirm that the issue is covered. If your original device is not returned within 10 business days or is found ineligible for service due to unauthorized modifications or severe damage, the hold will be charged to your card.
*Express Replacement Service is an AppleCare benefit that is not available in all countries or regions.
