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The safest way to pair an Apple Watch with a new iPhone is to transfer it during setup from a recent backup. Keep the old and new iPhones on Wi‑Fi, update the old iPhone and watch, make sure the watch and new iPhone are at least 50% charged, and have your Apple Account password and Apple Watch passcode ready.
If the old iPhone is available, unpair the watch from it before pairing with the new phone. If the old iPhone is unavailable, erase the watch directly—but remember that erasing it does not remove Activation Lock.
Before you start
- Have the password for the Apple Account associated with the watch.
- Know the Apple Watch passcode.
- Connect both iPhones to Wi‑Fi.
- Charge the Apple Watch and new iPhone to at least 50%.
- Keep the watch unlocked and on your wrist when the transfer instructions ask for it.
- Update the old iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest versions available before transferring. An update can take several minutes or, in some cases, up to an hour.
Also check compatibility before troubleshooting. Requirements vary by watch model, iPhone model, iOS version, and watchOS version. For example, Apple’s current compatibility information lists Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 as requiring an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later and watchOS 26 or later. Apple Watch Series 10 has different requirements: iPhone XS or later, iOS 18 or later, and watchOS 11 or later. Older watches have different minimums, so check the exact model rather than assuming that a new iPhone supports every Apple Watch.
Protect your Health and Activity data first
Backing up the iPhone also backs up the Apple Watch, but the backup method matters if you care about Health and Activity data.
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- Durable, woven cable with fast-charging capabilities for select Apple Watch models. Simply hold the connector near the back of the watch, where magnets cause it to snap into place automatically.
- Supports fast charging on Apple Watch Series 7 and later and Apple Watch Ultra models. Supports regular charge times on all other models.
- Compatible with all Apple Watch
- USB-C Cable Length: 1m or 3.2 feet
For an iCloud backup
- On the old iPhone, open Settings.
- Tap your name, then iCloud.
- Make sure Health is enabled in the iCloud apps and features list.
- Return to Settings, tap your name, choose iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish.
For a Mac or PC backup
Create an encrypted backup of the old iPhone in Finder on a Mac or in Apple Devices on a Windows PC. Encryption is important for preserving Health and Activity data in a computer backup. Keep the backup available until the watch has been restored successfully.
If your watch needs charging
The transfer cannot proceed reliably if the watch is nearly empty. An Apple Watch magnetic charging cable is an optional replacement if the original cable is missing or damaged. It is not required because of any special pairing function; it simply helps meet the charging requirement. For fastest charging, Apple identifies its USB‑C Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable used with a USB‑C Power Delivery charger. You may already have a suitable USB‑C PD charger, so do not buy one solely because you are pairing the watch.
Normal method: transfer the watch while setting up the new iPhone
- Turn on the new iPhone and begin setup.
- When prompted, choose the most recent iCloud backup or encrypted computer backup of the old iPhone.
- Continue through iPhone setup. If the iPhone asks whether you want to use your Apple Watch, put the unlocked watch on your wrist and tap Continue.
- Follow the on-screen transfer instructions. Keep the watch near the new iPhone and leave it unlocked.
- After iPhone setup, open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone.
- Follow the prompt to finish transferring the watch.
If the new iPhone displays Start Pairing instead of offering to transfer the watch, the watch may still be associated with the old iPhone. Use the old-iPhone unpairing method below, then pair the watch again and restore its backup.
If the old iPhone is still available
Unpairing from the old iPhone is the cleanest fallback. It creates a watch backup, erases the watch, and removes Activation Lock so it can be paired with the new phone.
Rank #2
- 【Safe and Fast Wireless Watch Charging】- Our wireless charger provides a safer and faster charging mode,for a more convenient charging experience,Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Wide Compatible】- Our wireless batteries charger is compatible with iWatch series Ultra2/Ultra/12/11/10/9/8/7/6/SE2/SE/5/4/3/2 (including the 38 mm/40 mm/41 mm/42 mm/44 mm/45 mm Version).Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Portable design】- This 3.3Ft charging cable for apple watch is convenient to carry around, especially for traveling，and is suitable as a backup charger for your watch.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Advanced Safety】- Built-in protection device with safety functions such as overcurrent,overvoltage,short circuit and overtemperature protection. Protect your watch battery from overcharging damage.pls note:this is support usb c port,so pls use a usb c PD adapter,and 20w-30w is the best to use.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【12-Month Quality Assurance 】- As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and friendly customer service.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- Keep the old iPhone and Apple Watch close together.
- On the old iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
- Tap My Watch, then All Watches.
- Tap the information button next to the watch.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
- Confirm the watch name.
- If it is a cellular model, choose whether to Keep Plan or Remove Plan. Choose Keep Plan if you will pair the watch with your new iPhone. Choose Remove Plan if you are selling or giving away the watch.
- Enter the Apple Account password when asked. This removes Activation Lock.
- Wait for unpairing to finish and for the watch to return to its factory setup screen.
Next, unlock the new iPhone and place the watch nearby. Open the Apple Watch app, choose the option to add or pair a watch, and scan the animation shown on the watch. When prompted, choose the latest available watch backup. If the iPhone camera cannot read the animation, select the manual-pairing option and follow the instructions on both devices.
If the old iPhone is unavailable
You can erase the watch itself, but this route has two important limitations: it may leave you without the most recent backup, and it does not remove Activation Lock.
- On the Apple Watch, open Settings.
- Tap General, then Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter the watch passcode if requested.
- For a cellular watch, choose whether to keep or remove the cellular plan.
- Tap Erase All to confirm.
- Set up the new iPhone and sign in with the same Apple Account used on the watch.
- Open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone and pair the erased watch.
- Choose the latest watch backup if one is offered.
Activity, Workouts, or settings changed after the last usable backup may be lost. Health and Activity data that was already stored in iCloud can remain available on other devices signed in to the same Apple Account. If there is no usable backup and the old iPhone cannot be accessed, Apple says Health and Activity content from that missing backup cannot be recovered. Activity Sharing data is not stored in iCloud.
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- 【Wide Compatible】- Our wireless charger is compatible with iWatch series Ultra/10/9/8/7/6/SE2/SE/5/4/3/2/1 (including the 38 mm/40 mm/41 mm/42 mm/44 mm/45 mm Version)
- 【Portable design】-This 1.0M iWatch charging cable is convenient to carry around, especially for traveling，and is suitable as a backup charger for your watch.
- 【Advanced Safe & Rapid Charging】– Experience enhanced safety and speed with our wireless watch charger, delivering a 0% to 100% charge in under 3 hours.
- 【Smart Protection】 - Equipped with advanced safety mechanisms including over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit, and over-temperature protection. Automatically adjusts charging power to prevent overheating and overcharging, ensuring your premium watch battery remains healthy and extends its lifespan. Certified for safe, worry-free wireless charging day and night.
- 【12-Month Quality Assurance 】- As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and lifetime friendly customer service.
Removing Activation Lock when you cannot access the watch or old iPhone
If you no longer have access to both the old iPhone and the watch, use Find My on iCloud.com to erase the watch and then select Remove after the erase finishes. For a secondhand watch, the previous owner must remove it from their Apple Account. You cannot complete setup with only a factory erase if Activation Lock is still enabled.
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The new iPhone never asks to use the Apple Watch
Open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone. If the watch remains paired to the old iPhone, unpair it through My Watch > All Watches on the old phone, then pair it with the new one. Update both phones and the watch if a backup is not appearing; outdated software can prevent the transfer or backup from being recognized.
The screen says “Pairing Not Complete”
- Open the Apple Watch app.
- Go to My Watch > All Watches.
- Put the watch on your wrist and unlock it.
- Tap Finish Pairing.
Keep the watch close to the iPhone while the process completes.
Rank #4
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- Efficient Smart Charging: Our watch charger provides safe charging mode, it takes 2 hours to fully charge your S12-S4. Please note: Charging Ultra 4 3 2 1 will take less than 4 hours. We suggest that you purchase our store's 5W fast charging version for your Ultra series
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The watch is stuck on the Apple logo
- Press and hold the Digital Crown and side button at the same time until the watch restarts.
- After it restarts, firmly press the screen or hold the Digital Crown until the reset option appears.
- Tap Reset.
- Pair the watch again and restore a backup if one is available.
You do not know the Apple Watch passcode
A forgotten passcode requires erasing the watch and setting it up again. Put the watch on its charger. Hold the side button until the power button appears, then hold the Digital Crown until the erase option appears. Confirm the reset and follow the setup process afterward.
This erases the watch’s data and settings but does not remove Activation Lock. You will still need the Apple Account credentials associated with the watch.
Activation Lock appears
Activation Lock means the watch is still linked to an Apple Account. Enter the associated email address or phone number and password when prompted. If the watch belonged to someone else, the previous owner must remove it from their account; the buyer cannot bypass this requirement through another reset.
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Cellular plan decisions
When unpairing or erasing a cellular Apple Watch, you may be asked whether to keep the cellular plan. Keep it when you are moving the watch to your own new iPhone. Remove it when the watch is being sold, given away, or permanently disconnected from your account. The exact availability of the cellular option depends on the watch model and carrier.
Pairing checklist
- Both iPhones are connected to Wi‑Fi.
- The watch and new iPhone are at least 50% charged.
- The old iPhone and Apple Watch are updated.
- Health is enabled in iCloud, or the computer backup is encrypted.
- You know the Apple Account password and watch passcode.
- The watch is unlocked and close to the new iPhone.
- You restored the newest backup available.
- You kept the cellular plan if the watch is being transferred.
- You removed Activation Lock if the watch is being sold or was previously owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair an Apple Watch directly with a new iPhone without the old iPhone?
Yes, but you must first erase the watch from Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will then pair it with the new iPhone and restore a backup if available. Erasing the watch does not remove Activation Lock, so you still need the associated Apple Account.
Will I lose my Apple Watch Health and Activity data?
Not necessarily. A recent iCloud backup with Health enabled, or an encrypted computer backup, offers the best protection. Health and Activity data already stored in iCloud can remain available after signing in to the same Apple Account. Changes made after the last backup may be lost, and Activity Sharing data is not stored in iCloud.
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Why does my Apple Watch say Start Pairing?
The watch is probably no longer being recognized as part of the transfer, or it is still associated with the old iPhone. Unpair it from the old iPhone if possible, then open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone and pair it again.
Does erasing an Apple Watch remove Activation Lock?
No. Erasing the watch removes its content and settings but leaves Activation Lock enabled. Unpairing through the old iPhone removes Activation Lock, while a previous owner must remove it from their Apple Account before a secondhand watch can be used.
The Bottom Line
Use the transfer prompt during new-iPhone setup whenever possible. If that fails and the old iPhone is available, unpair the watch from My Watch > All Watches, then pair it with the new phone and restore the latest backup. If the old phone is gone, erase the watch directly, but expect possible loss of post-backup data and be prepared to enter the Apple Account credentials required by Activation Lock.
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