How to pair your Apple Watch with a new iPhone

Here’s what you need

• Your Apple ID and password (so you can turn off Activation Lock)
• Your old and new iPhone both need to be connected to Wi-Fi
• Your Apple Watch and iPhone both need to be at least 50 per cent charged
• Your Apple Watch passcode

If you don’t have your old iPhone, you need to use different steps. Choose an option below.

If you have your old iPhone

Use these steps to back up your Apple Watch before pairing with your new iPhone.

Update your old iPhone

Before you switch your Apple Watch to a new iPhone, update your old iPhone to the newest version of iOS that’s available. You should also update your Apple Watch. It can take from several minutes up to an hour for the update process to be completed. You might want to update overnight or wait until you have time, and make sure that both of your devices are charged.

“ You may see that your iPhone is up to date on its current version, but there’s an update available. For example, even if your iPhone is up to date and running the latest version of iOS 14, there may be an option to update to iOS 15”

Check your Health and Activity settings

If you back up using iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and make sure that Health is on.

If you back up using your computer, encrypt your backup to save your Health and Activity content.

iCloud doesn’t store your Activity Sharing data.

Check your Health and Activity settings

If you back up using iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and make sure that Health is on.

If you back up using your computer, encrypt your backup to save your Health and Activity content.

iCloud doesn’t store your Activity Sharing data.

Set up your new iPhone

Set up your new iPhone. When asked if you have an iCloud or iTunes backup, choose your most recent backup to restore your data from your old device to your new device. Make sure that your iPhone and Apple Watch are up to date; if they aren’t, you might not see your backup in the list. 

If your iPhone asks if you want to use your Apple Watch, make sure your watch is unlocked and on your wrist, then tap Continue. If it doesn’t ask, you can still set up your Apple Watch manually in the next step. Get help if your iPhone doesn’t ask if you want to use your Apple Watch.

Open the Apple Watch app on your new iPhone

Keep your Apple Watch unlocked and on your wrist with your iPhone nearby. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

If your iPhone asks you to confirm that you want to use your watch, follow the onscreen steps to finish setting up.

If your iPhone asks you to Start Pairing, unpair your Apple Watch so that you can set it up. 

After setup, you can start using your Apple Watch with your new iPhone. 

DN Review