How to Unpair an Apple Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Unpairing your Apple Watch from your iPhone can sometimes be required when upgrading to a new model, selling your device, or troubleshooting. Properly unpairing your device ensures that your data is backed up and your Apple Watch is reset to factory settings for new owners or for re-pairing to your iPhone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to properly unpair your Apple Watch and ensure a smooth process.
Why is unpairing important?
Before deep dive into the process, let's talk about unpairing . To unpair your Apple Watch:
Back up your data on your iPhone (this happens automatically during the pairing process).
Erase all content and settings on your watch to ensure that no personal data is retained.
Remove Activation Lock so that someone else can pair your watch to their device if necessary.
How to Unpair an Apple Watch Using Your iPhone
Follow these steps to unpair your Apple Watch with your iPhone:
1. Make sure the two devices are close to each other.
To make the unpairing process easy, make sure your Apple Watch and iPhone are close to each other. This process requires a connection between the two devices.
2. Use your Apple Watch App
In your iphone, open the apple watch app
at the bottom of your screen, tap the My Watch
3. Select your Apple Watch.
At the top of the screen, you will see your Apple Watch listed. Tap its image to open additional settings.
4. Tap the "i" (info button).
Next to the watch name, you will see a small "i" symbol in a circle. Tap the image to display additional options.
5. Select "Unpair Apple Watch."
Tap the option to unpair your Apple Watch. If you have a cellular model, you may be asked if you want to keep or remove your cellular plan.
If you plan to pair your Apple Watch again, choose to keep your plan.
Choose to remove your plan if you sell or give away your watch.
6. Confirm your decision.
You will be asked to confirm that you want to unpair the devices. It is may require you to use your Apple ID password to deactivate your lock
7. Wait for the process to complete.
Your Apple Watch will begin unpairing, which may take a few moments. During this process, your watch data will be backed up to your iPhone and your Apple Watch will be reset to factory settings.
How to Pair Directly with Apple Watch
If you don’t have access to your iPhone, you can connect your Apple Watch directly to the device. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
Press the Digital Crown to open the Apps screen, then tap the Settings app (represented by a gear icon).
2. Go to “General.”
Scroll down and tap General.
3. Select “Reset.”
Scroll down further and tap Reset.
4. Select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.” If you have a passcode set, you’ll need to enter it for verification.
5. Erase and Reset Watch.
Confirm that you want to erase your Apple Watch, and the reset process will begin, erasing all data and settings.
What happens after pairing completes?
After the unpairing process is complete, your Apple Watch returns to its factory settings, and all personal data is erased. If you unpaired via your iPhone, your watch data will be backed up to your phone. If you decide to pair your Apple Watch with a different iPhone, you’ll have the option to restore it from that backup.
If you’re selling or giving away your watch, they’re now ready to set it up and pair it with their iPhone.
Troubleshooting Pairing Issues
Unpairing sometimes doesn’t go as smoothly as you’d like. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
Unpairing is taking too long: If the unpairing
process is taking an unusually long time, Try restarting both your iPhone and Apple Watch, then try unpairing them again.
Apple Watch isn't showing up on iPhone: If your watch isn't showing up in the Apple Watch app, make sure both devices are connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and are within range.
Can't disable Activation Lock: If you can't disable Activation Lock through the app, go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, go to Find My, and Remove Apple Watch from your list of devices.
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