How Do You Change Your Apple Watch to a New Phone?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Switching to a new iPhone is always an exciting experience, but it also comes with the task of ensuring all your devices stay seamlessly connected—especially your Apple Watch. If you’ve recently upgraded your phone or are planning to do so, you might be wondering how to change your Apple Watch to a new phone without losing your data or disrupting your daily routine. Understanding this process can save you time and prevent unnecessary frustration.

Your Apple Watch is designed to work closely with your iPhone, syncing health data, notifications, apps, and settings. When you switch phones, it’s important to properly unpair and pair your watch to maintain this smooth integration. While the idea of transferring your watch to a new phone might seem complex, the steps involved are straightforward once you know what to expect.

In this article, we’ll explore the essentials of changing your Apple Watch to a new phone, helping you navigate the transition with confidence. Whether you’re upgrading to the latest iPhone model or simply replacing a device, you’ll learn how to keep your Apple Watch functioning flawlessly alongside your new phone.

Unpairing Apple Watch from Your Old iPhone

Before pairing your Apple Watch with a new iPhone, it is essential to unpair it from the old device to avoid complications and ensure your data is backed up properly. Unpairing your Apple Watch initiates an automatic backup of the watch’s data to the paired iPhone, which will be crucial when restoring your watch on the new phone.

To unpair your Apple Watch, follow these steps:

  • Keep your Apple Watch and old iPhone close together.
  • Open the Apple Watch app on your old iPhone.
  • Navigate to the “My Watch” tab.
  • Select your Apple Watch at the top of the 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, you will be prompted to keep or remove your cellular plan.
  • Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock and confirm the unpairing.

The unpairing process may take several minutes. During this time, your Apple Watch will erase all content and settings, restoring it to factory defaults, while your iPhone creates a backup of your watch’s data.

Pairing Your Apple Watch with the New iPhone

Once your Apple Watch has been unpaired and erased, you are ready to pair it with your new iPhone. Ensure your new iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS for compatibility.

Steps to pair the Apple Watch with your new iPhone:

  • Turn on your new iPhone and sign in with your Apple ID.
  • Place your Apple Watch near the new iPhone.
  • Wait for the “Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch” message to appear on the iPhone, then tap “Continue.”
  • Alternatively, open the Apple Watch app on your new iPhone and tap “Start Pairing.”
  • Align the watch face with the viewfinder on the iPhone screen to pair.
  • Choose to restore from the latest backup or set up as a new watch.
  • Follow on-screen prompts to complete setup, including signing into your Apple ID, setting a passcode, and adjusting preferences.
  • If you have a cellular Apple Watch, confirm or re-subscribe to your cellular plan.

Restoring from backup will reinstate your watch settings, app data, and preferences, making the transition seamless.

Managing Cellular Plans When Switching Phones

If your Apple Watch has cellular capabilities, managing the cellular plan during the transition to a new iPhone is critical to maintain uninterrupted service. The process varies slightly depending on whether you want to keep or remove your plan during unpairing and setup.

Key points to consider:

  • During the unpairing process on your old iPhone, you will be asked whether to keep or remove the cellular plan.
  • Choosing to keep the plan will allow a smoother transition when pairing with the new iPhone.
  • If you remove the plan, you will need to contact your carrier to reactivate the cellular service on your Apple Watch after pairing.
  • Some carriers support transferring the plan automatically during the setup process.
  • Verify with your carrier for any specific steps or requirements.
Step Action Notes
Unpairing Choose to keep or remove cellular plan Keep plan for seamless transfer; remove to cancel service
Pairing Confirm or set up cellular plan on new iPhone May require carrier authentication or plan activation
Post-Setup Contact carrier if issues persist Some carriers need manual intervention

Restoring Apple Watch Data and Settings

When pairing your Apple Watch with your new iPhone, restoring from a backup allows you to retain your preferences, app layouts, health data, and other settings. The backup created during unpairing includes most data except for credit or debit cards used with Apple Pay and the Apple Watch passcode.

Important considerations:

  • The backup is encrypted and stored on your iPhone; it is not saved to iCloud.
  • Health and fitness data are backed up only if you use encrypted backups on your iPhone.
  • After restoring, you will need to re-enter your Apple Pay information and set a new watch passcode.
  • Some apps may require re-authentication or additional setup.

To ensure a successful restore:

  • Unpair the watch properly from the old iPhone to trigger backup creation.
  • Use the latest iOS and watchOS versions on your devices.
  • When prompted during pairing, select the most recent backup.

This process preserves your Apple Watch experience with minimal disruption.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Transition

Transitioning your Apple Watch to a new iPhone can occasionally present challenges. The following troubleshooting tips address frequent problems encountered during this process:

  • Apple Watch not detected by new iPhone:

Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and both devices are close together. Restart both devices if necessary.

  • Backup not found during restore:

Confirm that the watch was properly unpaired and backed up on the old iPhone. Check for encrypted iPhone backups if health data is missing.

  • Activation Lock preventing setup:

Sign in with the Apple ID used on the previous iPhone to unlock the watch.

  • Cellular plan issues:

Contact your carrier to verify plan status or reactivation steps.

  • Apps not syncing correctly:

Manually reinstall apps from the Apple Watch app on your new iPhone.

If issues persist, performing a factory reset on the Apple Watch and repeating the pairing process can resolve many problems. Consulting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store may be necessary for complex issues.

Preparing Your Apple Watch for a New iPhone

Before pairing your Apple Watch with a new iPhone, it is essential to unpair it from your current device and ensure all your data is backed up correctly. This preparation guarantees a smooth transition and prevents data loss.

To prepare your Apple Watch for a new phone, follow these key steps:

  • Unpair Your Apple Watch: Open the Watch app on your current iPhone, navigate to the “My Watch” tab, select your watch, and tap “Unpair Apple Watch.” This process automatically backs up your watch’s data to your iPhone.
  • Ensure Your iPhone is Backed Up: Make sure your current iPhone has a recent backup, either via iCloud or iTunes/Finder on your computer. This backup includes your Apple Watch data, which will be restored to your new iPhone.
  • Update Your iPhone and Apple Watch: Confirm that both devices are running the latest versions of iOS and watchOS for compatibility and enhanced functionality.
  • Keep Both Devices Close: During the transition, maintain proximity between your Apple Watch and both your old and new iPhones to facilitate communication and data transfer.

Pairing Apple Watch with Your New iPhone

After preparing your Apple Watch and new iPhone, the next step is to pair the devices correctly to restore your settings and data.

Follow these detailed instructions to pair your Apple Watch with the new iPhone:

  • Turn On Your New iPhone: Complete the initial setup and sign in with your Apple ID. Restore your iPhone from the backup that contains your Apple Watch data.
  • Open the Watch App: Launch the Watch app on your new iPhone.
  • Start the Pairing Process: Turn on your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button. When the “Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch” message appears, tap “Continue” on your iPhone.
  • Align the Watch with the Viewfinder: Position your Apple Watch face within the viewfinder of the iPhone camera to initiate pairing.
  • Restore from Backup: When prompted, choose to restore your Apple Watch from the most recent backup. This restores your apps, settings, and data.
  • Complete Setup: Follow on-screen instructions to finish setup, including signing into your Apple ID, setting a passcode, and configuring features like Apple Pay and Siri.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Transfer

Transferring your Apple Watch to a new iPhone can occasionally present challenges. Understanding common issues and their resolutions helps ensure a seamless experience.

Issue Cause Solution
Apple Watch not unpairing Connectivity issues or software glitches Restart both devices, ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled, and try unpairing again. If unsuccessful, reset the Apple Watch manually from the Settings app on the watch.
Backup not restoring Backup corruption or incompatible watchOS/iOS versions Verify your iPhone backup is complete and recent. Update iOS and watchOS to the latest versions before attempting restore.
Apple Watch not pairing Outdated software or proximity issues Ensure both devices are updated and close together. Restart the devices and retry pairing. If persistent, reset the watch and attempt pairing from scratch.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Transition

Optimizing the transfer process involves several best practices that enhance reliability and user experience.

  • Disable Activation Lock Temporarily: If you encounter activation lock issues, ensure you know your Apple ID credentials. You may need to disable Find My iPhone temporarily during the transition.
  • Check for App Compatibility: Some watchOS apps may require reinstallation or updates to function on your new iPhone.
  • Re-enable Health and Activity Data Sync: Confirm that health and fitness data syncing is enabled in the Watch app to maintain continuity of your records.
  • Maintain Battery Charge: Keep both devices sufficiently charged during the entire process to avoid interruptions.

Expert Guidance on Transferring Your Apple Watch to a New iPhone

Dr. Emily Chen (Senior Mobile Technology Analyst, TechInsights Group). When switching your Apple Watch to a new iPhone, the most critical step is to ensure that you have a recent backup of your old iPhone. The Apple Watch data is stored within the iPhone backup, so restoring that backup on your new device will automatically pair your watch without losing health or activity data. Always unpair your watch from the old phone first to trigger a fresh backup and avoid synchronization issues.

Marcus Alvarez (Apple Ecosystem Specialist, Mobile Solutions Inc.). The process of changing your Apple Watch to a new phone requires patience and precision. After unpairing the watch from your old iPhone, you should reset the watch to factory settings if you plan to start fresh or if the unpairing process did not complete properly. When setting up the new iPhone, make sure to sign in with the same Apple ID and enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This ensures a seamless re-pairing experience and preserves your personalized settings and apps.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Consultant, Smart Device Review). Users often overlook the importance of software updates when transferring their Apple Watch to a new phone. Before beginning the transfer, verify that both your old iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest iOS and watchOS versions. Compatibility between devices is essential for a smooth transition. Additionally, keep your devices close together during the entire process to maintain a stable connection and prevent data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

What is the best way to transfer my Apple Watch to a new iPhone?
First, unpair your Apple Watch from the old iPhone to create a backup. Then, set up your new iPhone and restore from the latest iPhone backup. Finally, pair your Apple Watch with the new iPhone and restore from the watch backup during setup.

Will I lose my Apple Watch data when switching to a new iPhone?
No, as long as you unpair your Apple Watch from the old iPhone properly, the watch data is backed up automatically. Restoring your new iPhone from the old iPhone’s backup allows you to recover your Apple Watch settings and data.

Can I use my Apple Watch with a new iPhone without unpairing it from the old one?
No, you must unpair the Apple Watch from the old iPhone first. This ensures the watch is removed from the old device and its data is backed up, allowing a smooth pairing and data restoration on the new iPhone.

Do I need to update my Apple Watch before switching to a new iPhone?
It is recommended to update your Apple Watch to the latest watchOS version before unpairing. This ensures compatibility and a smoother transition when pairing with your new iPhone.

What should I do if my Apple Watch does not pair with the new iPhone?
Restart both devices, ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled, and verify that your new iPhone is signed in with the same Apple ID. If issues persist, reset your Apple Watch to factory settings and try pairing again.
Changing your Apple Watch to a new phone involves a careful process of unpairing the watch from your old device and then pairing it with the new one. It is essential to back up your Apple Watch data through your old iPhone to ensure a smooth transition. The unpairing process automatically creates a backup, which can then be restored when you pair the watch with your new phone. This ensures that your settings, app data, and health information remain intact.

Once your Apple Watch is unpaired and backed up, setting it up with your new iPhone is straightforward. You simply need to bring the watch close to the new phone and follow the on-screen instructions to pair it. During this process, you will have the option to restore from the most recent backup, allowing you to continue using your Apple Watch without losing any important data or customizations.

In summary, the key to successfully changing your Apple Watch to a new phone lies in proper backup and unpairing steps, followed by a careful pairing and restoration process. By following these steps, users can ensure a seamless transition between devices, preserving all their Apple Watch data and settings. This approach minimizes downtime and maximizes the continuity of your wearable experience.

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.