How to Factory Reset an Apple Watch

If you are selling your Apple Watch, upgrading to a newer model, or experiencing severe software glitches that a simple restart won’t fix, you need to perform a factory reset. A factory reset wipes all your personal data, credit cards, and apps from the watch, returning the software to its original, out-of-the-box state.

There is a critical security feature you must be aware of before you begin: Activation Lock. Activation Lock ties the Apple Watch to your specific iCloud account. If you simply wipe the watch using the watch’s own settings menu, Activation Lock remains engaged, and the next person who buys the watch will be completely locked out.

To safely erase the watch and remove the Activation Lock, you must use your paired iPhone.

The Best Method: Unpair Using Your iPhone

This is the safest and most complete method. It securely backs up your watch data to your iPhone, deletes everything on the watch, and automatically removes the Activation Lock.

1. Keep your Apple Watch and your iPhone close together.
2. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
3. Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom left of the screen.
4. At the very top left, tap on All Watches.
5. You will see a picture of your watch. Tap the small, circular ‘i’ (info) icon next to it.
6. At the bottom of the next screen, tap the red text that says Unpair Apple Watch.
7. A warning pop-up will appear. Tap Unpair [Your Name’s] Apple Watch to confirm.
8. The Crucial Step: You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password. This is required to turn off Activation Lock. Enter the password and tap Unpair.

Your iPhone will spend a few minutes creating a final backup of your watch’s data. Once the backup is complete, the Apple Watch will wipe itself and restart. When you see the screen prompting you to bring an iPhone near the watch, the reset is complete.

The Alternative Method: Reset from the Watch Itself

If you no longer have your paired iPhone, or if the iPhone was lost or destroyed, you can still factory reset the Apple Watch directly from the device. Warning: This method will erase the data, but it will NOT remove the Activation Lock.

1. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown (the dial on the side) to open the app list.
2. Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
3. Tap General.
4. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Reset.
5. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
6. You will be prompted to enter the passcode you use to unlock the watch.
7. Scroll down and tap Erase All to confirm.

How to Remove Activation Lock Remotely

If you used the alternative method above, the watch is wiped, but the next owner will not be able to use it until you remove it from your iCloud account. You can do this remotely from any computer.

1. Go to iCloud.com on a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Click on the Find My app (or the “Find Devices” option).
3. Click All Devices at the top of the screen and select your Apple Watch from the list.
4. Click Remove from Account (do not click Erase, you must click Remove).

The Activation Lock is now disabled, and the watch is fully ready for a new owner.