You'll need to go through the unpairing process if you have an Apple Watch and wish to stop using it with your iPhone. Although it's a straightforward process, unpairing an Apple Watch requires accuracy to prevent data loss or other issues. You will find instructions for unpairing your Apple Watch from your iPhone in this tutorial, along with some advice on how to do so quickly and easily.
Reasons for Unpairing an Apple Watch
There are various reasons why you might want to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone. Some common scenarios include:
- Upgrading to a new iPhone and wanting to pair your existing Apple Watch with it.
- Selling or giving away your Apple Watch and needing to unpair it from your iPhone.
- Troubleshooting connectivity issues between your Apple Watch and iPhone.
- Resetting the Apple Watch to its factory settings.
Whatever the reason, unpairing your Apple Watch will remove it from your current iPhone's list of paired devices.
Preparing for Unpairing
Before you proceed with the unpairing process, it's crucial to take a few preparatory steps to ensure a seamless experience:
Backup Your Apple Watch: To safeguard your data, create a backup of your Apple Watch. This backup will enable you to restore your settings, apps, and data to a new or reset Apple Watch later.
Keep Devices Charged: Ensure that both your Apple Watch and iPhone have sufficient battery life before starting the unpairing process.
Update Software: Check for any available updates for both your iPhone and Apple Watch. Running the latest software versions can help prevent compatibility issues during unpairing.
Method 1: Unpair through the Watch app on your iPhone
This is the easiest and safest method to unpair your Apple Watch, as it will back up your data on your iPhone and disable Activation Lock. Make sure your Apple Watch is next to your iPhone and both devices are fully charged.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches at the top.
- Tap the info button next to the watch you want to unpair.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch at the bottom of the page.
- If you have a cellular model, you can choose to keep or remove your mobile data plan. If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan. If you don’t want to pair them again, remove your plan. You may need to contact your network provider to cancel your subscription.
- Type your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock, then tap Unpair.
- Wait for the backup and unpairing process to complete. You will see the Start Pairing message on your Apple Watch when it is done. You can now set up your Apple Watch again or turn it off if you are selling it or giving it away.
Method 2: Unpair through your Apple Watch with a passcode
If you don’t have access to your iPhone, but you know the passcode of your Apple Watch, you can unpair it through the settings on the watch itself. This will erase all the data on your watch, but Activation Lock will remain. You will need the Apple ID and password associated with the watch to turn off Activation Lock later.
- On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Type your passcode if prompted.
- If you have a cellular model, you can choose to keep or remove your mobile data plan. If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan. If you don’t want to pair them again, remove your plan. You may need to contact your network provider to cancel your subscription.
- Tap Erase All to confirm. This resets your Apple Watch to the factory settings.
- You can now set up your Apple Watch again with a new iPhone or turn it off if you are selling it or giving it away.
Method 3: Unpair through your Apple Watch without a passcode
If you don’t have access to your iPhone, and you have forgotten the passcode of your Apple Watch, you can still unpair it by using a force restart method. This will erase all the data on your watch, but Activation Lock will remain. You will need the Apple ID and password associated with the watch to turn off Activation Lock later.
- Place your Apple Watch on its charger and keep it there until you complete these steps.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
- As soon as you see the Apple logo, release both buttons and immediately press and hold the side button again until you see Erase all content and settings.
- Tap Erase All to confirm. This resets your Apple Watch to the factory settings.
- You can now set up your Apple Watch again with a new iPhone or turn it off if you are selling it or giving it away.
Method 4: Unpair remotely through iCloud website
If you don’t have access to either your iPhone or your Apple Watch, but they are both online, you can unpair them remotely through iCloud.com. This will erase all the data on both devices and remove them from Find My app.
- On a computer or another device, go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click Find iPhone, then click All Devices at the top of the screen.
- Select the device that has both devices paired (usually an iPhone) from the list of devices associated with this account.
- Click Erase [device] in order to erase both devices (iPhone and watch) paired together.
- Enter your Apple ID password, then click Erase.
- Once both devices are erased, click Remove from Account to remove them from your Apple account and disable Activation Lock.
Method 5: Unpair through Apple Support
If none of the above methods work for you, or you have lost or stolen your Apple Watch, you can contact Apple Support to unpair it from your account. You will need to provide proof of purchase and ownership of the watch, as well as your Apple ID and password.
- Go to Apple Support website and choose Apple Watch from the list of products.
- Choose Lost or Stolen from the list of topics.
- Choose Talk to Apple Support Now or Schedule a Call to speak with a representative.
- Explain your situation and provide the necessary information to verify your identity and ownership of the watch.
- Follow the instructions given by the representative to unpair your Apple Watch from your account and disable Activation Lock.
Backing Up Apple Watch Data
Before unpairing your Apple Watch, it's vital to create a backup to preserve your settings and data. Follow these steps to back up your Apple Watch:
Ensure iPhone Connection: Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and paired with your Apple Watch.
Open the Apple Watch App: Launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap on "My Watch": Go to the "My Watch" tab at the bottom of the screen.
Select "General": Scroll down and tap on "General."
Choose "Reset": Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select "Reset."
Create Backup: Tap on "Backup Apple Watch" to initiate the backup process.
Wait for Backup Completion: The backup process may take some time, so be patient.
Restoring Apple Watch after Unpairing
If you're unpairing your Apple Watch temporarily or upgrading to a new Apple Watch, you can easily restore your settings and data after the unpairing process. Here's how to do it:
Pair New or Reset Apple Watch: Follow the initial setup process for your new or reset Apple Watch until you reach the "Set Up Apple Watch" screen.
Choose "Restore from Backup": When prompted, select "Restore from Backup" and choose the backup you created earlier.
Enter Apple ID Password: If required, enter your Apple ID password to restore the backup.
Wait for Restoration to Complete: Your Apple Watch will now be restored with the data and settings from your backup.
Troubleshooting Unpairing Issues
Connection Problems
If you encounter connection issues during the unpairing process, try the following steps:
Ensure your iPhone and Apple Watch are close together.
Restart both devices and try unpairing again.
Check for software updates on both devices and install them if available.
Error Messages
If you receive any error messages during unpairing, take note of the error code or message and search online for specific solutions related to your situation.
Stuck on the Unpairing Process
If your Apple Watch gets stuck on the unpairing process, try the following:
Force restart your Apple Watch and try unpairing again.
If the problem persists, contact Apple Support for assistance.
Common FAQs About Unpairing Apple Watch
Will unpairing my Apple Watch delete my data?
No, unpairing your Apple Watch will not delete your data if you've backed it up before the unpairing process.
Can I unpair my Apple Watch without an iPhone?
Yes, you can unpair your Apple Watch directly from the device itself by accessing the "Settings" and performing a reset.
Do I need to disable Activation Lock before unpairing?
Yes, to unpair your Apple Watch, you'll need to disable Activation Lock by entering your Apple ID password.
Can I restore my Apple Watch after unpairing?
Yes, you can restore your Apple Watch after unpairing by pairing it with a new or reset Apple Watch and selecting the "Restore from Backup" option.
What should I do if unpairing takes too long?
If unpairing takes an unusually long time, try force restarting both your iPhone and Apple Watch and attempt the unpairing process again.
Is unpairing the same as resetting my Apple Watch?
No, unpairing is different from resetting your Apple Watch. Unpairing disconnects the watch from your iPhone, while resetting erases all content and settings on the watch.
Can I pair my Apple Watch with multiple iPhones?
No, an Apple Watch can only be paired with one iPhone at a time.
Will I lose my activity data when unpairing my Apple Watch?
If you have a backup of your Apple Watch, you can restore the activity data after unpairing and re-pairing with a new or reset Apple Watch.
Can I unpair my Apple Watch remotely if it's lost or stolen?
No, you need physical access to your Apple Watch to unpair it from your iPhone.
Can I unpair my Apple Watch if it's not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular?
Yes, you can unpair your Apple Watch without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, as long as your iPhone is nearby and connected to the internet.
