How to Unpair an Apple Watch

If you are upgrading to a new model, giving your smartwatch to a family member, or sending it in for repairs, you must unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone first. Simply turning off the watch or deleting the Bluetooth connection is not enough; if you do not unpair it properly, the watch will remain permanently locked to your Apple ID through Activation Lock.

Fortunately, Apple makes the unpairing process simple, and it automatically creates a backup of your watch data before erasing it. Here is the correct way to unpair an Apple Watch.

Method 1: Unpair Using Your iPhone (Recommended)

This is the safest and most complete method. It removes the Activation Lock and ensures your health data and watch faces are safely backed up to your iPhone.

1. Keep your Apple Watch and your iPhone physically close to each other.
2. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
3. Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom left corner.
4. At the very top of the screen, tap All Watches.
5. Find the watch you want to unpair in the list, and tap the info “i” icon next to it.
6. Tap the red Unpair Apple Watch button at the bottom of the screen.
7. A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Unpair [Your Name]’s Apple Watch.

Crucial Step: If your watch has a cellular data plan, the app will ask if you want to keep or remove the cellular plan. If you are selling the watch, choose Remove. If you are just troubleshooting and plan to pair it again, choose Keep.

Finally, type in your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock and tap Unpair. The process will take a few minutes as your iPhone creates a final backup and the watch factory resets itself.

Method 2: Unpair Directly from the Apple Watch

If you lost your iPhone, or if the phone was destroyed, you can erase the watch directly from your wrist. Note: This method does NOT remove Activation Lock. You will have to remove it via iCloud.com later.

1. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to view your apps.
2. Tap the Settings app (the gear icon).
3. Tap General.
4. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Reset.
5. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
6. Type your passcode if prompted.

The watch will wipe its hard drive and reboot to the initial pairing screen.

How to Remove Activation Lock (If You Used Method 2)

If you erased the watch directly from your wrist, the new owner will not be able to use it until you remove your Apple ID from the device.

1. Open a web browser on any computer and go to iCloud.com.
2. Log in with your Apple ID.
3. Click on Find My.
4. Click All Devices at the top of the screen.
5. Select your Apple Watch from the list.
6. Click Remove from Account (do not click “Erase”, as you already erased it).

Your Apple Watch is now fully wiped, unlocked, and ready for a new owner.