The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To transfer an Apple Watch to a new Apple Watch without losing data, make sure the old iPhone has a current backup, then set up the new iPhone from that backup if you are replacing the phone. Pair the watch with the new iPhone and choose the latest available Apple Watch backup; Health and Activity data require Health syncing in iCloud or an encrypted computer backup.
Apple Watch backs up automatically to its paired iPhone, and unpairing through the iPhone also triggers a backup. Do not erase the old iPhone or watch until you have confirmed that the needed iPhone backup and Health data are available.
Choose the right transfer path
| Your situation | What to do | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the same iPhone and replacing the watch | Pair the new watch with the iPhone and select the latest available watch backup during setup. | If the old watch is available, unpairing it through the iPhone triggers a backup. |
| Replacing the iPhone too | Back up the old iPhone, set up the new iPhone from its latest backup, then pair the watch and restore its backup. | An iPhone backup includes Apple Watch data. |
| The old iPhone is unavailable | Sign in to the same Apple Account on the new iPhone, pair the watch, and try the latest available backup. | Data that was not synced or backed up may not be recoverable. |
| Selling or giving away the old watch | Unpair it through the paired iPhone. | Unpairing erases it and removes Activation Lock; erasing directly on the watch does not. |
Before you start
- Have your Apple Account password and Apple Watch passcode available.
- Connect both iPhones to Wi-Fi if you are moving to a new iPhone. Apple recommends that the watch and new iPhone have at least 50% charge.
- Update the old iPhone and Apple Watch to the newest versions available to them. Updates can take several minutes to an hour, according to Apple Support.
- For an iCloud workflow, check Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Saved to iCloud > Health and confirm Health syncing is on. Menu labels can vary by software version.
- If you use a Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes backup, encrypt it to preserve Health and Activity data.
- Back up the old iPhone to iCloud or a computer, and make sure the new iPhone is set up from the most recent backup before pairing the watch.
Transfer to a new watch using the same iPhone
- If the old watch is available and you are ready to stop using it, open the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.
- Tap My Watch > All Watches, tap the information button next to the old watch, then tap Unpair Apple Watch. This backs up the watch, erases it, and removes Activation Lock.
- Keep the cellular plan if the old watch will be paired again. Remove the plan if you are selling or giving away the watch.
- Bring the new watch near the iPhone and follow the pairing prompts. If prompted, open the Apple Watch app and choose All Watches > Add Watch.
- When setup offers a restore, select the most recent backup. If the old watch remains paired, keep it unlocked and on your wrist and follow the iPhone’s prompts.
- Finish setup and allow the watch to sync. Some apps or data may take time to appear.
Apple’s Watch User Guide says that the watch is backed up automatically to the paired iPhone and can be restored from a stored backup. If setup asks to start pairing instead of adopting the watch, Apple’s guidance is to unpair it from the old iPhone, pair again, and select a backup when offered.
Transfer when you are replacing the iPhone too
- On the old iPhone, make a current iCloud backup or an encrypted Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes backup.
- Confirm Health is syncing through iCloud, or confirm that the computer backup is encrypted if you need Health and Activity data.
- Set up the new iPhone from the latest available iPhone backup and sign in to the same Apple Account.
- Keep the watch unlocked and on your wrist, with the new iPhone nearby, then open the Watch app and follow the prompts.
- If asked, choose the latest available Apple Watch backup.
Do not erase or trade in the old iPhone before confirming the relevant backup is available. If the old iPhone is still available but the watch backup is missing, create a fresh iCloud or encrypted computer backup before proceeding.
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iCloud or computer backup?
| Backup path | Check before transfer | Health and Activity data |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud | Health syncing is enabled for the Apple Account used on the new iPhone. | Apple says Health and Activity data stored in iCloud stays current on devices signed in to the same Apple Account. |
| Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes | The iPhone backup is encrypted. | Apple says an unencrypted computer backup will not transfer Health and Activity data. |
Apple documents both backup routes. Neither is universally best; use the one you can verify is current and meets the Health-data requirements.
What transfers—and what may be missing
An Apple Watch backup includes app settings, watch-face customizations, Health and Fitness data, and other supported information. The restore reflects the latest available backup, not necessarily the watch’s current state. Some information syncs through iCloud rather than coming from the watch backup itself.
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| Data or setting | What to expect |
|---|---|
| App settings and watch-face customizations | Included in the automatic watch backup, subject to app support. |
| Health and Fitness data | Preserved through iCloud Health syncing or an encrypted computer backup. |
| Messages and other information that syncs to iCloud | Not included in the watch backup; it syncs through iCloud instead. |
| Activity Sharing | Apple says iCloud does not store Activity Sharing data. |
| Changes made after the latest backup | Not present in an older backup and may be lost if they were not synced elsewhere. |
If you do not have the old iPhone
- Set up the new iPhone and sign in to the same Apple Account used for the watch.
- Confirm that Health syncing is enabled in iCloud if you need Health and Activity data.
- Pair the watch and try to restore the most recent available backup.
- If the backup does not appear, update both devices as far as possible and confirm the new iPhone was restored from the correct recent backup.
- If no usable watch backup exists, set up the watch as new.
If the old iPhone is unavailable and its data was not backed up or synced, Apple says unsynced Health and Activity content cannot be recovered. A backup also cannot include changes made after it was created.
Unpairing, erasing, and Activation Lock
When the old iPhone is available, unpair the watch through its Watch app if you are selling or giving it away. Apple says this backs up and erases the watch and removes Activation Lock. Erasing directly on the watch restores factory settings but does not remove Activation Lock; the Apple Account credentials associated with it are still needed.
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Rank #3
- 【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)
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If the watch will be paired again, keep its cellular plan during unpairing. Removing the plan is for a watch being sold or given away. Follow the carrier’s instructions if you are moving service to another watch.
Troubleshooting
The backup does not appear
- Update the iPhone and watch to the newest versions available to them.
- Check that the new iPhone was restored from the correct recent iPhone backup.
- If the old iPhone is available, connect the watch to it, allow it to sync, and make a fresh iPhone backup.
- Try pairing again and select a backup if one is offered.
The iPhone shows “Pairing Not Complete”
Open the Watch app, tap My Watch > All Watches, put the unlocked watch on your wrist, and tap Finish Pairing if that option appears.
Rank #4
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Pairing is stuck on the Apple logo
- Hold the Digital Crown and side button together until the watch restarts.
- Release both buttons, then follow the reset option shown on the recovery screen.
- Pair the watch again and select a backup if one is offered.
Health or Activity data is missing
- Confirm that the new iPhone uses the same Apple Account.
- Confirm Health syncing is enabled in iCloud, or that the computer backup was encrypted.
- Check that the correct, latest available backup was selected.
- Allow time for iCloud and the watch to finish syncing.
Data that was not synced and was changed after the latest backup may not be recoverable. Activity Sharing is not stored in iCloud.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer my Apple Watch to a new Apple Watch without losing data?
Back up the old iPhone, then pair the new watch and choose the latest available Apple Watch backup. If you are replacing the iPhone too, set up the new iPhone from its latest backup before pairing the watch.
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How do I restore my Apple Watch from a backup?
Pair it with the iPhone that has the watch backup available, then choose the most recent backup when setup offers the restore option.
Will my Activity and Health data transfer to my new Apple Watch?
It can, if Health is syncing through iCloud or you restore from an encrypted computer backup. Changes made after the available backup and unsynced data may be missing.
What if I don’t have my old iPhone?
Set up the new iPhone with the same Apple Account, pair the watch, and try the latest available backup. If no usable backup exists, set up the watch as new; unsynced data may not be recoverable.
Should I remove the cellular plan when unpairing?
Keep it if the watch will be paired again. Remove it when selling or giving away the watch; follow your carrier’s instructions to set up service on a replacement.
Does erasing the watch remove Activation Lock?
No. Erasing directly on the watch does not remove Activation Lock. Unpair through the paired iPhone or have the account owner remove the watch from their account.
Quick Recap
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