How to unpair your Apple Watch

what to know

• On iPhone: Open the Watch app > All Watches > Information ( i ) > Unpair Apple Watch . Then, enter your password > Unpair .
• On the watch: Press crown > Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings > Delete all .
• If you need to remove Activation Lock protection, use your iPhone to unpair it.

This article explains how to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone using your iPhone or Apple Watch. This information applies to Apple Watch running watchOS 6 or later and the iPhone Watch app in iOS 15 through iOS 10.

If you plan to sell or give away your watch, or if you plan to buy a newer watch, you may need to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone. Here's how to unpair your Apple Watch using your iPhone.

1. Click on the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

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

3. Click the information ( i ) icon next to your watch.

   

4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch .

5. If your Apple Watch has cellular data capabilities, you'll need instructions on how to use your monthly cellular data plan. If you plan to pair this Apple Watch and iPhone again, tap Keep Plan . If you want to pair a different Apple Watch and iPhone combination, tap Delete Plan . Click OK.

6. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. You'll have to do this if you want to turn off features like Activation Lock and Find My Watch.

   You don't need to remove the Activation Lock if you're pairing your Apple Watch with another iPhone you own, but you should remove it if you're selling or giving it away. While the watch remains locked to your account, the new owner will not be able to use the watch.

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

   

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

   You can also unpair your Apple Watch using the watch itself. Doing so will restore the watch to factory settings but will not remove Activation Lock. To do this, you must unpair the watch using your iPhone, as described above.

   Use this method only if you plan to use your Apple Watch with another iPhone you own or a new iPhone.

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

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

9. Click the "Settings" icon.

10. Click General .

11. Scroll down and click Reset .

    

12. Click to delete all content and settings .

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

    If you don't plan to keep your cell phone plan, contact your carrier to cancel the service.

14. Select Erase All . This action will restore your Apple Watch to factory settings.

    

A copy of Apple Watch data is backed up to iPhone before being deleted.

If you plan to upgrade your phone after this unpairing process, make a backup of your old phone. As mentioned above, when you unpair your Apple Watch from your phone, the data in your Apple Watch is backed up to your phone.

Activate your new iPhone and restore your backup data (including watch data) to it.

After you set up your new phone, follow the standard steps to pair your Apple Watch with your new iPhone.

FAQ

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

• If you turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone, or turn on airplane mode on either device, your Apple Watch may become unpaired.