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To restore an Apple Watch, pair it with the same or a new iPhone, then choose Restore from Backup during setup. There is no separate, normally browsable Apple Watch backup file: for an ordinary paired watch, its backup is stored through the paired iPhone and included in that iPhone’s iCloud or computer backup. (Apple Watch User Guide)
Before you start
- Keep the iPhone and Apple Watch close together and charge both devices.
- Sign in to the same Apple Account used with the previous setup.
- Update the iPhone and Apple Watch as far as their hardware supports.
- If the old iPhone is available, create a fresh iCloud backup or encrypted computer backup before erasing, trading in, or replacing anything.
- If using a Mac or PC, securely save the encrypted-backup password.
Apple Watch backups happen automatically when the watch is near its paired iPhone. Unpairing the watch from the Watch app also attempts to create a final backup before erasing it. The backup is then carried inside the iPhone backup rather than exposed as an individual file you can open or extract. (Apple Support)
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Restore the watch to the same iPhone
If the watch is still paired, unpair it from the iPhone instead of erasing it directly on the watch. This gives the iPhone an opportunity to create a current backup and completes the Activation Lock process.
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- Tap My Watch, then All Watches.
- Tap the information button next to the watch.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch and confirm.
- For a cellular model, choose whether to keep or remove the cellular plan.
- Enter the Apple Account password if requested.
- Wait for unpairing to finish, then begin pairing the watch again.
- When setup offers a backup, tap Restore from Backup and select the most recent available backup.
Labels can vary slightly between iOS and watchOS releases. If the watch has already been erased, do not unpair it again: open the Watch app, start pairing, and look for Restore from Backup.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Restore an Apple Watch when moving to a new iPhone
The order matters because the watch backup is contained in the old iPhone’s backup.
- On the old iPhone, make a fresh iCloud backup or encrypted computer backup.
- Set up the new iPhone using Quick Start, an iCloud backup, or the computer backup.
- Sign in to the same Apple Account on the new iPhone.
- Open the Watch app and pair the Apple Watch.
- Follow the setup prompts. When the backup list appears, choose the most recent appropriate Apple Watch backup.
Do not pair the watch first and restore the old iPhone backup afterward if your goal is to recover the watch backup inside that iPhone backup. Transfer or restore the iPhone first, then pair the watch. (Apple’s new-iPhone pairing guidance)
Restore the iPhone backup from iCloud
- On a new or erased iPhone, begin setup.
- At the transfer screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with the Apple Account used for the backup.
- Select the appropriate backup and complete iPhone setup.
- Open the Watch app, pair the watch, and select its available backup.
An already configured iPhone may need to be erased before it can be restored from an iCloud backup through the initial setup flow. (Apple’s iPhone restoration guide)
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Restore the iPhone backup from a Mac or PC
- Connect the new or erased iPhone to the computer containing the backup.
- On macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select the iPhone. On Windows, use Apple Devices where available; older systems may use iTunes.
- Choose Restore from this backup or Restore Backup.
- Select the appropriate backup and enter its encryption password if requested.
- After the iPhone is restored, pair the Apple Watch and choose the watch backup.
What an Apple Watch backup restores
| Generally restored | Not restored as part of the watch backup |
|---|---|
| Built-in and third-party app settings | Bluetooth pairings |
| Brightness, sound, haptics, and other general settings | Credit and debit cards used with Apple Pay |
| Notifications and Siri Voice Feedback | The Apple Watch passcode |
| Home Screen app layout | Messages handled through iCloud or message synchronization |
| Watch-face settings, customizations, and order | |
| Health and Fitness data, history, awards, calibration, and user-entered data | |
| Music settings and synced playlists, albums, or mixes | |
| Selected synced photo album and time zone |
Restoration does not mean every app, song, photo, credential, or synchronized item is copied directly back to the watch. Apps and media may need to download again, while some information returns through iCloud synchronization or separate setup steps.
Protect Health and Activity data
Health data requires special care. An iCloud backup can preserve the watch data included in the iPhone backup, and Health and Activity data may also synchronize through iCloud when Health is enabled. Apple says iCloud does not store Activity Sharing data.
For a Mac or PC backup, enable Encrypt local backup. An unencrypted computer backup may not preserve Health and Activity content.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
- Connect the iPhone to the computer.
- Open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
- Select the iPhone.
- Enable Encrypt local backup.
- Create and securely store the backup password.
- Complete the backup.
Encrypted backups can also include saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, and call history that an unencrypted computer backup does not include. If the encryption password is lost, the old encrypted backup cannot simply be opened with a new password. (Apple’s encrypted-backup guidance)
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For important data, make both a fresh iCloud backup and a fresh encrypted computer backup before switching phones.
If “Restore from Backup” does not appear
- Update the iPhone and Apple Watch as far as their models support.
- Confirm that the correct Apple Account is signed in.
- Check that the iPhone backup containing the watch data was restored before pairing.
- Restart both devices.
- Start the pairing process again.
- If the watch was partially paired, erase it and retry setup.
- If no compatible backup is available, choose Set Up as New Apple Watch.
Software versions and device compatibility can affect which backups appear. An outdated iPhone or Apple Watch can prevent the expected backup from being offered. (Apple’s pairing troubleshooting guidance)
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
If the old iPhone is unavailable
You may still recover the watch if a usable iCloud backup of the old iPhone was completed, the new iPhone is restored from it, the watch backup was included, and you use the same Apple Account. Restore the iPhone backup first, then pair the watch.
If the old iPhone is gone, there is no usable iPhone backup, and the watch has already been erased, Apple’s documented fallback is Set Up as New Apple Watch. Health and Activity data may be unrecoverable if it was neither synchronized to iCloud nor preserved in an encrypted computer backup.
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Family Setup is different
An Apple Watch configured for a family member through Family Setup does not use the ordinary paired-iPhone backup route. Apple says it backs up directly to the family member’s iCloud account when connected to power and Wi-Fi. (Apple Support)
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
What you must set up again
- Add Apple Pay cards again; they are excluded from the watch backup.
- Reconnect Bluetooth accessories.
- Create a new Apple Watch passcode.
- Allow apps, music, photos, and other synchronized content time to download.
- Reactivate cellular service if required by your carrier. Restoring a backup does not guarantee that the cellular plan is ready automatically.
If Activation Lock appears, the original Apple Account credentials are required. For a second-hand watch, the previous owner must remove it from their account; Activation Lock cannot legitimately be bypassed by the buyer. (Apple’s pre-sale and transfer guidance)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restore an Apple Watch without the old iPhone?
Yes, if the old iPhone’s backup is available in iCloud or on a computer. Restore that iPhone backup to the new iPhone first, then pair the watch. Without a usable iPhone backup or synchronized data, the watch may need to be set up as new.
Can I choose an older Apple Watch backup?
Choose from the backups Apple makes available during pairing. The list may not contain every historical backup, so select the most recent appropriate one rather than assuming an old copy exists.
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A compatible backup may be offered when pairing another watch, but Apple does not guarantee that every watch model and software-version combination can use every backup.
What if I erased the watch before unpairing it?
Pair it again and select a stored backup if one appears. Direct erasure did not provide the same final-backup and Activation Lock workflow as unpairing through the Watch app.
How do I restore a Family Setup Apple Watch?
Family Setup watches back up directly to the family member’s iCloud account when connected to power and Wi-Fi, rather than through the ordinary paired-iPhone route.
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