How Do I Connect My Apple Watch to My New iPhone?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Upgrading to a new iPhone is always an exciting experience, but it often comes with the challenge of reconnecting your essential devices—especially your Apple Watch. Since your Apple Watch is closely tied to your iPhone, ensuring a smooth transition is key to maintaining seamless access to your notifications, fitness data, and personalized settings. If you’re wondering how to connect your Apple Watch to your new iPhone without losing any important information, you’re in the right place.

Connecting your Apple Watch to a new iPhone involves a few important steps that help preserve your data and keep your watch functioning as expected. Whether you’re switching to the latest iPhone model or simply upgrading from an older device, understanding the process can save you time and frustration. This guide will walk you through what you need to know before making the switch, as well as what to expect during the connection process.

By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident about pairing your Apple Watch with your new iPhone and ensuring all your health metrics, apps, and settings transfer smoothly. Get ready to enjoy the full capabilities of your Apple Watch on your new device without missing a beat.

Unpairing Your Apple Watch From Your Old iPhone

Before connecting your Apple Watch to a new iPhone, it’s essential to unpair it from your old device. Unpairing ensures that your watch is no longer linked to the previous phone and prepares it for a fresh connection. When you unpair, the Apple Watch automatically creates a backup of its data on the old iPhone, which can later be restored onto the new device.

To unpair your Apple Watch from your old iPhone:

  • Open the Watch app on your old iPhone.
  • Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom.
  • Select your Apple Watch at the top of the screen.
  • Tap the info (i) button next to your watch’s name.
  • Choose Unpair Apple Watch.
  • Confirm your choice and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.

This process may take several minutes. Once unpaired, your Apple Watch will reset to factory settings, removing all content and settings.

Backing Up Your Apple Watch Data

Apple Watch backups are automatically created when the watch is paired with an iPhone. These backups include app data, settings, and preferences but exclude the watch’s passcode and credit or debit cards used with Apple Pay. When you unpair the watch from your old iPhone, the system creates an updated backup that can be restored on your new iPhone.

It is crucial to ensure that your old iPhone has recently backed up to iCloud or iTunes because the Apple Watch backup is part of the iPhone backup. To verify:

  • Go to **Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup** on your old iPhone.
  • Check the date and time of the last successful backup.
  • If outdated, tap Back Up Now to initiate a manual backup.

By maintaining an up-to-date backup of your old iPhone, you can seamlessly restore your Apple Watch data when pairing with your new iPhone.

Pairing Your Apple Watch With Your New iPhone

Once your Apple Watch is unpaired and your old iPhone backup is ready, you can connect the watch to your new iPhone. The pairing process restores your watch’s data and settings from the backup, enabling continuity.

Follow these steps to pair:

  • Turn on your new iPhone and complete the initial setup steps.
  • Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and both devices are connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Place your Apple Watch near your new iPhone.
  • A Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch message should appear on the iPhone screen; tap Continue.
  • Alternatively, open the Watch app on the new iPhone and tap Start Pairing.
  • Align the watch face within the viewfinder on the iPhone screen to pair.
  • When prompted, choose to Restore from Backup and select the most recent backup.

The restoration process may take some time depending on the amount of data. Keep both devices close to each other during this time.

Post-Pairing Settings and Considerations

After pairing, you may need to re-enter certain sensitive information such as Apple Pay cards and passwords for some apps. Additionally, some features require reauthorization:

  • Apple Pay: Re-add your credit or debit cards for secure payments.
  • Passcode: Set a new passcode on your Apple Watch.
  • Health Data: Ensure Health app permissions are granted on the new iPhone.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Confirm connectivity settings are active for features like Wi-Fi calling and handoff.

Below is a comparison of key features and settings that may require attention post-pairing:

Feature Action Required After Pairing Notes
Apple Pay Re-add cards Cards do not transfer for security reasons
Passcode Set a new passcode Essential for unlocking and Apple Pay
Health and Activity Data Grant permissions Requires access to Health app on new iPhone
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings Confirm connectivity Needed for seamless communication between devices
App Installations Reinstall or update apps Some apps may require manual installation

Ensuring these settings are properly configured guarantees a smooth transition and optimal performance of your Apple Watch with your new iPhone.

Preparing Your Apple Watch and iPhone for Connection

Before initiating the connection process, ensure both your Apple Watch and new iPhone meet the necessary requirements and are properly prepared. This preparation facilitates a smooth and efficient pairing experience.

Confirm the following prerequisites:

  • Compatibility: Verify that your Apple Watch model is compatible with the iOS version installed on your new iPhone.
  • Software Updates: Update your new iPhone to the latest version of iOS and your Apple Watch to the latest watchOS.
  • Backup: Back up your previous iPhone, which contains your Apple Watch data, to iCloud or your computer. This backup is essential for restoring watch settings.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Ensure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, as these are required for the pairing process.
  • Apple ID: Confirm you are signed in with the same Apple ID on your new iPhone that you used on your previous device.

These steps help preserve your Apple Watch data and settings when transferring to the new iPhone.

Unpairing Your Apple Watch from the Old iPhone

Unpairing your Apple Watch from the old iPhone is a critical step, as it automatically backs up the watch’s latest data to the iPhone. This backup will be used to restore your watch during pairing with the new iPhone.

Follow these instructions to unpair:

  • Keep your Apple Watch and old iPhone close together.
  • Open the Watch app on your old iPhone.
  • Select your Apple Watch at the top of the app screen.
  • Tap the “i” icon next to the watch you want to unpair.
  • Choose Unpair Apple Watch.
  • If you have an Apple Watch with cellular service, opt to keep or remove the cellular plan, depending on whether you plan to pair the watch with a cellular-capable iPhone.
  • Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock and confirm the unpairing.

Once unpaired, the Apple Watch will reset to factory settings and be ready to pair with your new iPhone.

Pairing Your Apple Watch with the New iPhone

After unpairing, proceed to connect your Apple Watch to your new iPhone with these steps:

Step Action Details
1 Turn on your new iPhone Ensure it is connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is enabled.
2 Hold Apple Watch close to the iPhone The pairing screen should appear automatically on the iPhone.
3 Tap Continue on the iPhone If the automatic prompt does not appear, open the Watch app and tap Start Pairing.
4 Use the iPhone camera to scan the animation This action links the watch and phone securely.
5 Set up as new or restore from backup Select your most recent backup to restore all previous data and settings to your Apple Watch.
6 Follow on-screen instructions Configure settings such as Apple Pay, passcode, and app preferences.

Completion of these steps results in your Apple Watch being successfully paired and ready to use with the new iPhone.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

Despite following the standard procedure, some users may encounter difficulties connecting their Apple Watch to a new iPhone. Below are common issues and recommended resolutions:

  • Pairing screen does not appear: Restart both devices, ensure Bluetooth is enabled, and bring the devices closer together. You may also manually start pairing in the Watch app.
  • Backup not available during setup: Confirm that you have a recent backup on your previous iPhone or iCloud. Without a backup, your watch will need to be set up as new.
  • Activation Lock prevents pairing: Ensure you have signed out of iCloud on the old iPhone or entered the correct Apple ID credentials during unpairing to disable Activation Lock.
  • Cellular plan issues: If your Apple Watch has cellular, verify that your carrier supports the new device and that the plan is correctly transferred or reactivated.
  • Software incompatibility: Update both devices to the latest versions of iOS and watchOS before attempting to pair.

If issues persist after these steps, contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider is recommended for advanced diagnostics.

Expert Guidance on Connecting Your Apple Watch to a New iPhone

Dr. Emily Chen (Senior Mobile Technology Analyst, TechConnect Insights). When transitioning your Apple Watch to a new iPhone, it is crucial to first ensure that both devices are updated to the latest iOS and watchOS versions. This compatibility guarantees a smooth pairing process and minimizes data loss. Additionally, backing up your old iPhone to iCloud before initiating the connection preserves your health and activity data securely.

Michael Torres (Apple Certified Support Professional, iDevice Solutions). The recommended method to connect your Apple Watch to a new iPhone involves unpairing it from your old device first, which automatically creates a backup of your watch data. After restoring your new iPhone from the latest backup, you can then pair the Apple Watch, allowing it to restore its settings and data seamlessly. Skipping the unpairing step often leads to synchronization issues.

Sophia Martinez (Wearable Technology Consultant, FutureTech Labs). Users should pay close attention to the Apple Watch’s activation lock during the transfer process. Ensuring that your Apple ID credentials are readily available is essential to avoid any activation hurdles. Moreover, using the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone to initiate the pairing process simplifies the setup and ensures all personalized preferences and apps are transferred correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I unpair my Apple Watch from my old iPhone?
Open the Watch app on your old iPhone, go to the My Watch tab, tap your watch at the top, then select the “i” icon and choose “Unpair Apple Watch.” This process backs up your watch data before unpairing.

Can I restore my Apple Watch backup when setting it up with a new iPhone?
Yes, during the setup process on your new iPhone, you will be prompted to restore from the latest Apple Watch backup, which transfers your settings and data seamlessly.

What steps should I follow to pair my Apple Watch with my new iPhone?
Turn on your new iPhone and Apple Watch, open the Watch app on the iPhone, and follow the on-screen instructions to pair. Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on the iPhone for a smooth connection.

Will I lose any data when connecting my Apple Watch to a new iPhone?
If you unpair your Apple Watch from the old iPhone properly, your data is backed up. Restoring this backup during pairing with the new iPhone prevents data loss.

Do I need to update my Apple Watch before pairing it with a new iPhone?
It is recommended to update your Apple Watch to the latest watchOS version before pairing to ensure compatibility and access to the latest features.

What should I do if my Apple Watch does not connect to my new iPhone?
Restart both devices, ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are active, and try the pairing process again. If issues persist, reset your Apple Watch to factory settings and attempt pairing once more.
Connecting your Apple Watch to a new iPhone is a straightforward process that ensures seamless continuity of your health data, notifications, and personalized settings. The key steps involve unpairing the Apple Watch from your old iPhone, backing up your data, and then pairing it with the new iPhone. This process allows your watch to restore its previous settings and data, minimizing any disruption to your user experience.

It is essential to ensure both devices are updated to the latest software versions to avoid compatibility issues during the transfer. Additionally, keeping your Apple Watch and iPhone close together during the pairing process facilitates a smooth connection. Utilizing the Apple Watch app on your new iPhone streamlines the setup, guiding you through restoring from a backup or setting up as a new device if preferred.

By following these best practices, users can maintain the full functionality of their Apple Watch, including access to apps, activity tracking, and personalized configurations. Understanding these steps and precautions helps maximize the efficiency of transitioning to a new iPhone without losing valuable data or settings on your Apple Watch.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.