No matter if you’re having issues or ready to sell or give away your current watch, follow along for how to factory reset Apple Watch. We’ll look at how to do this both with and without iPhone even if you’ve forgotten your Apple Watch passcode. Show
Before doing a factory reset with your Apple Watch, make sure to back it up if you want to restore your data on the same or a new watch. If you backup your iPhone with iCloud or a Mac, an Apple Watch backup is automatically created. Keep in mind that iPhone backups on Mac need to be encrypted for all data to be saved for Apple Watch. With the first option below, Apple Watch will also make a fresh backup when you unpair it from iPhone. One more important piece, only unpairing Apple Watch from iPhone will remove the Activation Lock (if enabled) so someone else can use the wearable after it’s reset. How to factory reset Apple WatchReset Apple Watch with iPhone (recommended)The ideal way to factory reset Apple Watch is by unpairing it from iPhone. This will create a backup, erase your watch, and remove Activation Lock and the connection to your iPhone.
Here’s how these steps look: Factory reset directly on Apple WatchIf you don’t have your iPhone on hand, you can erase Apple Watch directly on the wearable but it won’t remove Activation Lock. Remember it won’t be able to do a fresh backup and you’ll also want to head to the Watch app on your iPhone and unpair it with the process above when you can to remove the Apple Watch Activation Lock.
Can’t remember your Apple Watch passcode?If you can’t remember your Apple Watch passcode but have your iPhone:
You can also reset your Apple Watch directly if you can’t remember your passcode. Follow these steps:
Apple notes you’ll need to remove Apple Watch from Activation Lock separately by unpairing it from your iPhone. Thanks for reading our guide on how to reset Apple Watch! Read more 9to5Mac tutorials:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: How do I factory reset my Apple I watch?Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Go to General > Reset, tap Erase All Content and Settings, then enter your passcode. If you have an Apple Watch with a cellular plan, you're offered two options—Erase All and Erase All & Keep Plan. To completely erase your Apple Watch, choose Erase All.
How do I reset an unresponsive Apple Watch?To force restart, hold down the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
Why won't my Apple Watch do a hard reset?There are four main reasons why your Apple Watch won't force restart. The first is that it has frozen, and is therefore completely unresponsive. The next is that it is in Power Reserve mode. It could be that it has run out of battery life and isn't charging.
How do I reset my Apple Watch without paired phone?How to erase your Apple Watch if you don't have your iPhone. On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.. Type your password if prompted.. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan. ... . Tap Erase All to confirm.. |