How to Pair Apple Watch to New Phone
How to Pair an Apple Watch With a New iPhone
Bought a new iPhone and want to keep using your Apple Watch? You can move the watch to the new device without setting everything up from scratch in many cases.
The process is easiest when you still have your old iPhone. If the old phone is unavailable, there is another way to prepare the watch for pairing.
Before You Connect the Watch
Before beginning, check a few things:
- Charge both devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the new iPhone.
- Update the iPhone if an update is available.
- Keep your Apple Account password nearby.
- Keep your old iPhone if you still have it.
- Don't erase the old iPhone until you've confirmed the transfer.
If You Still Have Your Old iPhone
Having the old iPhone makes the transition much easier.
Back Up Your Old iPhone
Start by making a recent backup of the old iPhone. You can use iCloud or a computer.
This gives you a current backup that can be used when setting up the new device.
Set Up the New iPhone
Turn on the new iPhone and follow the setup instructions.
When Apple offers options for transferring your information, use the available transfer or backup method to move your data from the old iPhone.
Open the Apple Watch App
After setting up the new iPhone, launch the Watch app.
Keep the Apple Watch close to the iPhone. If a message appears asking you to pair the watch, follow the instructions shown on the screen.
If the watch isn't detected automatically, use the option in the Watch app to add or pair an Apple Watch.
Restore the Watch
Depending on your setup, you may be offered a previous Apple Watch backup.
Select the appropriate backup if you want to restore your previous watch settings and supported information.
Keep both devices nearby until the process is finished.
If You Don't Have Your Old iPhone
You can still connect the Apple Watch to a new iPhone if your previous phone is lost, broken or unavailable.
However, the watch may need to be erased before it can be paired.
On the Apple Watch, go to:
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
After the reset, place the Apple Watch next to the new iPhone and follow the pairing instructions.
Apple Watch Not Showing Up on the New iPhone?
If the new iPhone doesn't recognize the watch, try these fixes.
Restart Both Devices
Turn the iPhone and Apple Watch off and back on, then try the pairing process again.
Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on the iPhone.
Update the Software
Check whether the iPhone or Apple Watch needs a software update. An incompatible or outdated software version can interfere with pairing.
Keep the Devices Close
During pairing, keep the Apple Watch and iPhone next to each other rather than moving them far apart.
What If the Watch Is Still Paired With the Previous iPhone?
If you have the old iPhone, it's preferable to manage the watch through the Watch app on that device.
Using the proper transfer or unpairing process can help create or preserve a backup before you connect the watch to the new iPhone.
Activation Lock May Appear
If the Apple Watch is associated with an Apple Account, Activation Lock may be enabled.
If the watch asks for the previous Apple Account information during setup, you'll need the correct account credentials to continue.
Simply resetting the watch does not necessarily remove Activation Lock.
Can You Keep Your Watch Data?
In many cases, yes.
If your old iPhone has a suitable backup and your watch information has been synchronized, supported data and settings can be restored during the transfer.
For this reason, creating a backup before changing phones is strongly recommended.
Moving a Cellular Apple Watch
If you have an Apple Watch with cellular service, the cellular plan may need to be transferred or activated on the new iPhone.
The available options depend on your carrier and mobile plan.
If the cellular plan doesn't appear during setup, your carrier may need to help complete the activation.
Common Questions
Can I pair my existing Apple Watch with a new iPhone?
Yes. You can move a compatible Apple Watch to a new iPhone using the Watch app and Apple's pairing process.
Do I need to reset the Apple Watch?
Not necessarily. If your old iPhone is available, use the transfer process first. If you no longer have access to the old phone, erasing the watch may be necessary.
Can I pair an Apple Watch without the old iPhone?
Yes. Erase the watch when required and then pair it with the new iPhone. Your ability to restore previous information depends on the available backup.
Why isn't my Apple Watch connecting?
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi problems, outdated software, an existing pairing with another iPhone or Activation Lock can all prevent the connection.
Will my Apple Watch data disappear?
Not necessarily. A compatible backup can allow supported watch information and settings to be restored during setup.
Final Takeaway
The simplest way to pair an Apple Watch with a new iPhone is to keep your old iPhone, create a fresh backup and use Apple's transfer process during the new phone's setup.
If your old iPhone isn't available, you can erase the Apple Watch and pair it with the new device. Make sure you know the Apple Account details associated with the watch before starting the process.
