How to unpair Apple Watch | Explained

Since the Apple watches release in April 2015 with the Apple Watch 1st Generation, there have be a number of different, new & improved releases. From the Apple watch Series 1 & 2 released in 2016, all the way up to the Series 8, SE 2nd Gen, and the “Ulta” that came out in 2022.

So, if you are a seasoned AppleWatch owner, but are looking to upgrade or sell & would like to unpair or erase your device.

Or have sadly just lost your watch & don’t want someone else accessing your watch, then in this article we will show you just how to do it, through 9 quick & easy-to-follow (but vital) steps that will allow you to safely unpair your device.

As well as answering some Frequently Asked Questions at the end!

Current apple watch release dates (as of June 2023):

1st generation: April 24 2015

Series 1 and Series 2: September 16 2016
Series 3: September 22, 2017.
Series 4: September 21, 2018.
Series 5: September 20, 2019.
Series 6 and SE (1st generation): September 18, 2020.
Series 7: October 15, 2021.
Series 8 and SE (2nd generation): September 16, 2022. Ultra: September 23, 2022.

How to unpair apple watch

So, you’ve figured out how to pair your watch to your apple device, you’ve used it, and now you’d like to sell it, upgrade it for a new one, or perhaps you’ve lost your phone (don’t worry, we’ve all been there), or just want another watch all together.

But you don’t yet know how to unpair the watch, and don’t want to keep it connected to your iPhone or iMac. So let’s dive in & ensure that by the end of this article, you can easily disconnect your apple watch.

Unpairing your device from iPhone:

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to unpair an Apple Watch from your iPhone:

Open the Apple Watch app: On your iPhone, locate and open the “Apple Watch” app. It is a pre-installed app on iPhones running iOS 14 or later.
Access your Watch settings: Once the Apple Watch app is open, tap on the “My Watch” tab at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the settings and configuration options for your Watch.
Select your Watch: In the “My Watch” tab, you will see a list of connected Apple Watches. Tap on the specific Apple Watch that you want to unpair from your iPhone.
Unpair the Apple Watch: After selecting your Apple Watch, you will see a screen with various settings and options. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on the “i” icon next to your Apple Watch’s name.
Start the unpairing process: On the Watch’s details screen, you will find the option “Unpair Apple Watch.” Tap unpair apple watch option to initiate the unpairing process.
Confirm unpairing: A confirmation message will appear, informing you that unpairing the Watch will erase all data and settings. If you are sure you want to proceed, tap on “Unpair [Apple Watch Name]”.
Enter your Apple ID password: To confirm the unpairing, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password. This is a security measure to ensure that only the owner of the Apple Watch can unpair it. Enter your password when prompted and tap on “Unpair” to proceed.
Wait for the unpairing process to complete: The unpairing process will begin, and it may take a few minutes to complete. During this time, your iPhone will create a new backup of your Apple Watch’s data.
Set up as new or restore from backup: After the unpairing process is complete, you will have the option to set up the Watch as new or restore it from a backup. You can choose the appropriate option based on your preference and follow the on-screen instructions.

That’s it! Following these steps will allow you to successfully unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone. Remember that unpairing the watch will erase its data and settings, so it’s essential to have a recent backup if you wish to restore it to a previous state.

FAQ's

How do I unpair my Apple Watch without my phone?

To unpair your Apple Watch without your phone, you can perform a factory reset directly on the watch itself. Here’s how:

On your Watch, go to the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on “General.”
Scroll down again and choose “Reset.”
Select “Erase All Content and Settings” and confirm the action.
The watch will reset to factory settings, removing all apple watch data and settings, allowing you to start fresh.

Please note that unpairing without an iPhone will result in the loss of data and settings on the watch. Additionally, some features may not work correctly without a proper unpairing process.

Can I unpair my Apple Watch without my watch?

Yes, you can unpair the watch from your iphone without your phone to hand. However, by doing this, you will be resetting the watch back to factory settings, and will not have a backup.

How do I transfer my Apple Watch to a new watch?

If you are referring to transferring data and settings from one apple watch to another, you can use the backup and restore feature. Here’s how:

Make sure your current Watch is paired with your iPhone.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap on the “My Watch” tab at the bottom.
Tap on your current watch.
Select “Unpair Apple Watch” and confirm the unpairing process.
Pair your new Watch with your iPhone.
During the setup process, choose the option to “Restore from Backup” and select the most recent backup of your previous watch.

This will transfer your settings, preferences, and some data from your previous watch to the new one.

Can you disable Apple Watch if stolen?

Yes, if your Watch is stolen, you can use the Find My app on your iPhone or iCloud.com to put the watch in Lost Mode or remotely erase its data.

Lost Mode will lock the watch, display a custom message with contact information, and disable Apple Pay functionality. If necessary, you can also choose to erase the data on the watch completely.

Should I unpair my Apple Watch before pairing a new one?

It is generally recommended to unpair your current Watch before pairing a new one. Unpairing ensures a clean disconnection and allows for a smoother pairing process with the new watch.

Unpairing also creates a latest backup of your watch’s data and settings, which can be useful if you want to restore the new watch from the previous one.

Why won't my Apple Watch pair with my new phone?

If your Watch is not pairing from your old phone to your new phone, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

- Make sure both your iPhone and Watch are running the latest software updates.
- Restart both your iPhone and Watch.
- Keep your devices close together during the pairing process.
- Disable Bluetooth on any other devices that might interfere with the pairing.
- Reset network settings on your iPhone (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
- If none of the above steps work, try resetting your Watch by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings (note that this will erase all data on the watch).

Why is my Apple Watch not pairing?

If your Watch is not pairing with your iPhone, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS.
Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone (Settings > Bluetooth).
Restart both your iPhone and watch.
Keep your iPhone and Watch close together during the pairing process.
If possible, try resetting your network settings on your iPhone (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
If the problem persists, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

If you continue to experience issues with pairing, it’s recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit a local store for more personalised assistance.

Summary

In summary, the popular smartwatch developed by Apple Inc. combines fitness tracking capabilities with various smartphone features such as notifications, messaging, and app integration.

The Watch is primarily designed to be paired with an iPhone, and the unpairing process is typically done through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.

Unpairing the Watch without an iPhone can be done by performing a factory reset on the watch itself, but this may result in data loss and limited functionality.

Transferring data and settings to a new Apple Watch can be done through the backup and restore feature. If the Watch is stolen, it can be disabled or remotely erased using the Find My app.

It is generally recommended to unpair the Watch before pairing a new one to ensure a smooth connection.

Troubleshooting steps for Apple Watch pairing issues include updating software, restarting devices, keeping them close together, and resetting network settings if necessary. This should usually do the trick!