How to reset a locked apple watch

Forgot your Apple Watch passcode? Is your Apple Watch disabled due to too many failed login attempts? Here’s how to unlock your Apple Watch.

If your Apple Watch is disabled but you know your passcode

Your Apple Watch will be disabled after 10 unsuccessful login attempts, which can happen if you forget your passcode or your kids try to access your Apple Watch. If you remember your passcode, you can unlock your Apple Watch from your paired iPhone.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
2. Tap Passcode
3. Select Unlock with iPhone
4. Put your Apple Watch on and press the Digital Crown
5. Enter the passcode or use Touch ID on your iPhone to unlock your Apple Watch

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode but have a paired iPhone

If you don’t know your passcode, you can still unlock your Apple Watch with your paired iPhone. This process will hard reset your Apple Watch and erase all content and data (if Data Erase is turned on, your Apple Watch data will be wiped after the tenth failed login attempt anyway).

Fortunately, your Apple Watch is automatically backed up your iPhone, so it can be restored immediately after you reset it (it’s also backed up to iCloud and iTunes when you back up your iPhone).

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone
2. Browse to My Watch > General > Reset
3. Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings, then confirm (you might need your Apple ID password. If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can restore it here)
4. If prompted, elect to keep your cellular plan
5. Your Apple Watch will be reset to factory settings. When the process completes, select the prompt to restore from backup. You’ll be able to set a new passcode after it restores

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode and do not have a paired iPhone

If you’re locked out of your Apple Watch and it’s unpaired, you can still perform a hard reset without an iPhone. Then, you can restore it from a backup when you pair it to your iPhone.

1. Place your Apple Watch on its charger
2. Hold the side button until the Power Off screen appears
3. Press the Power Off slider firmly (do not slide it)
4. Select Erase All Content and Settings
5. Your Apple Watch will reset to factory settings. You can then pair it to your iPhone, restore it from a backup and set a new passcode

Related Help

There might be an odd day when you forgot your Apple Watch password, and end up disabling your Watch after trying to enter it multiple times. Don’t worry!! We have your back. In this article, I will show how you can reset the Apple Watch passcode to erase all data and start from scratch or restore it from a backup.

• How to reset Apple Watch if you forgot password
• How to reset your Apple Watch passcode with your paired iPhone
• Set up Apple Watch again

Before we move further: Put your watch in charging mode and do not remove it until you finish all the steps below.

1. Press and hold the Side button. Leave it when you see the Power Off Screen.
2. Force press the POWER OFF slider for a few seconds. After that, lift your finger.
3. Tap on Erase all content and settings. Once the process completes, you will have to set up your Apple Watch again.
   

How to reset your Apple Watch passcode with your paired iPhone

1. Keep the paired iPhone and Apple Watch close. Next, open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. From the My Watch tab, tap on General → Reset.
   

3. Tap on Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings. Confirm by tapping Erase All Content and Settings. If asked, enter your Apple ID password.
   

4. 4. Let the process finish. Once it completes, you will have to set up your Apple Watch again.

Note: On the cellular model with an active plan, you might be asked to keep or remove your cellular plan. Make sure to keep it. In case you do not wish to pair the watch and iPhone, you may remove it.

Set up Apple Watch again

After your reset the watch following one of the above methods, you have two options. The first is to set it up entirely as a new device. The second involves restoring from a previous backup. For most people, the latter is the way to go. We have a step-by-step guide that shows you how to restore your Apple Watch from a backup.

Note: During set up if you see the Activation Lock screen, enter the Apple ID and password.

Signing off…

This is what you need to do if you forget your Apple Watch passcode. I believe this quick guide was helpful. If you have an additional query, feel free to reach us via the comments section below.

You may also check out related posts:

• How to share Apple Watch faces
• Use Handwashing feature on Apple Watch
• How to check Apple Watch Battery Health

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A tech-aficionado whose superpower lies in blabbering interminably about new technologies. After 4+ years and 4500+ content pieces that helped diverse companies grow, I followed my passion and made iGeeks Media my home. When not gushing over technology, you will find me immersed in a fictional world, either reading or creating one.

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