How To Unlink Apple Watch From Iphone

If you're having issues, selling, or upgrading your wearable, you'll want to unpair Apple Watch from your iPhone and probably back it up. Below we'll look at how to do this if you have your iPhone nearby and also a couple of options if you just have your watch.

When you unpair Apple Watch from iPhone, the wearable is returned to factory settings. Since the watch is erased in the process, your iPhone automatically makes a backup of it. That's one of the reasons it's important to keep your Apple Watch close to your iPhone during the steps below.

How to unpair Apple Watch from iPhone

Apple says to first remove any Transit cards you have stored with Apple Watch (Watch app on iPhone > Wallet & Apple Pay > Transit Cards)
While keeping your watch and iPhone close, open the Watch app on iPhone
Choose the My Watch tab at the bottom, then tap All Watches in the top left corner
Tap the circled "i" next to the watch you want to unpair
Choose Unpair Apple Watch then tap Unpair again
If you have a cellular plan, choose to keep or remove the plan (you'll still need to call your carrier if you want to actually cancel the plan)
Enter your Apple ID password if asked
When the unpairing is complete you'll see the "Start Pairing" message

Here's how the process looks:

Erase Apple Watch without iPhone

If you need to factory reset Apple Watch and you don't have your iPhone on hand, you can do it from the wearable (but remember it won't be able to do a fresh backup). Also, you'll want to head to the Watch app on your iPhone and remove it when you can.

Head to Settings on your Apple Watch
Tap General
Swipe down to the bottom and tap Reset
Tap Erase All Content and Settings
If you're using a passcode, enter it when prompted
Swipe down and choose Erase All or Erase All & Keep Plan if you have a cellular watch

Erase Apple Watch without your passcode

You can also reset your Apple Watch if you can't remember your passcode (but again, it won't be able to create a fresh backup). Like above, don't forget to remove it from the Watch app on your iPhone at some point.

Put Apple Watch on its charger
Press and hold the side button as if you were going to power it down
Do a firm press on the Power Off slider and let go
TapErase all content and settings

How to unpair Apple Watch without iPhone

About the Author

Michael Potuck

@michaelpotuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.