To disconnect your Apple Watch from your old phone, you must unpair it using the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone. This process erases the watch, creates a backup of its data on the iPhone, and gives you the option to keep or remove any cellular plan.
Unpair your Apple Watch from the iPhone
Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together throughout the process. On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap My Watch, followed by All Watches. Tap the i button next to the watch you want to remove, then tap Unpair Apple Watch. Confirm by tapping Unpair [your Apple Watch name]. If the watch has a cellular plan, choose whether to keep or remove it. Finally, enter your Apple Account password to disable Activation Lock, then tap Unpair.
How Apple Watch data is backed up
When you unpair your Apple Watch, Apple automatically backs up its data to the paired iPhone. To transfer that data to a new iPhone, you restore an iCloud backup of the old iPhone onto the new device during setup. This is the only documented path Apple provides for moving Apple Watch data between phones. As an alternative backup method, you can also create an encrypted iTunes backup of your iPhone on a computer, which includes Apple Watch data.
Pair your Apple Watch with a new iPhone
First, set up the new iPhone. During setup, on the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup and select the latest backup of your old iPhone. Keep your Apple Watch unlocked and on your wrist near the new iPhone. Open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone. If the iPhone asks you to confirm you want to use the watch, follow the onscreen steps. If it asks you to Start Pairing, you must first unpair the watch from the old iPhone, erase it, then set up the new iPhone and pair again. When iPhone setup completes, the watch prompts you to pair with the new iPhone; tap OK on the watch and enter your passcode.
For readers interested in how the Apple Watch compares to other wearables, detailed smartwatch and tracker comparisons can help you decide which device best fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple Watch be disconnected from an Android phone?
No. Apple Watch setup and pairing are iPhone-only.
Do I need to unpair my Apple Watch before selling or giving it away?
Yes. Unpairing erases the watch and disables Activation Lock, removing your personal data and allowing the new owner to pair it as a new device.
What happens to my cellular plan when I unpair?
During unpairing, you can choose to keep or remove the cellular plan. If you keep it, the plan remains active on your account. If you remove it, the plan is canceled from the watch.
Can I unpair my Apple Watch if I don't have my old iPhone?
Apple's documented method requires the paired iPhone. If you no longer have access to that iPhone, you may need to contact Apple Support for assistance with unpairing and disabling Activation Lock.
Will unpairing delete my activity and health data?
Unpairing creates a backup of your Apple Watch data on the iPhone, which includes activity and health data. That data is restored when you restore the iPhone backup on a new device and pair the watch.
Does unpairing require resetting the watch?
Yes. Unpairing requires resetting the watch, and you cannot disconnect it without resetting it. After unpairing, you can pair the watch with a different phone by opening the Apple Watch app on the new phone.
