Read on to first learn how to unpair your Apple Watch. If you need to pair an Apple Watch, scroll down to find those instructions. Also: How to AirPlay to a TV
How to unpair an Apple Watch
If you want to upgrade to a new Apple Watch and reset your current one before selling it or gifting it to someone else, you’ll need to unpair it from your iPhone first. A backup of your Apple Watch data and settings will be created, which is helpful if you want to reset your Apple Watch and not lose your data or if you’re upgrading to a new Apple Watch.
How to pair an Apple Watch
Before trying to pair your Apple Watch, it’s a good idea to make sure your iPhone’s iOS version is up-to-date by checking your settings. Once you’ve done that, ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and you’re connected to a network: either Wi-Fi or cellular. You can see I’m holding the Apple Watch behind the iPhone to scan the animation.
What is Activation Lock?
Activation lock is a security feature on your Apple Watch (and other Apple devices) that prevents someone from using your watch in the event it gets lost or stolen. If you do a factory reset on the Apple Watch itself, it will continue to be linked to your Apple ID and paired with your iPhone, so you want to unpair it from your iPhone before resetting it to prevent this. Also: How to factory-reset an iPhone
Should I unpair my old Apple Watch before pairing a new one?
If you’re upgrading to a newer Apple Watch, you’ll need to unpair your old one from your iPhone, unless you decide to keep using both watches.
How do I unpair my Apple Watch without my iPhone?
If you’re ever in a situation where you need to unpair your Apple Watch but don’t have your phone (such as if it was lost or stolen), you can simply go to iCloud and log in with your Apple ID, then go to Settings and remove your Apple Watch under My Devices. This will prevent Activation Lock just like the in-person unpairing process above.
