You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Apple Watch series 8 set up

Trying to set up new watch with iPhone 13 pro. I’ve been unable to complete the set-up process. During set up I confirm which wrist I want to wear it on, but within a few seconds of my response it tells me it’s unpairing. The phone has the latest software installed. The watch is new today. Both devices are charged. Any advice that means I don’t have to go back to the store would be most welcome.

Posted on Sep 17, 2022 6:33 AM

Reply
4 replies

Sep 17, 2022 7:10 AM in response to Karlpitman

When you set up Apple Watch, your iPhone asks you to hold the watch up to your iPhone camera. If your iPhone says that it's unable to connect to Apple Watch — or if the watch shows a clock face — Apple Watch might already be paired.

If you have its paired iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap the "i" button  next to the watch that you want to unpair, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
  3. Tap again to confirm, then wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs, you can pair again.

If you don’t have its paired iPhone, erase your Apple Watch 

If you can't unpair Apple Watch because you don't have its paired iPhone, you can erase the watch.

When you erase Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, enter the Apple ID and password that was used to set it up.

  1. Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Reset.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap again to confirm.
  3. Wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs completely, you can pair again. You'll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.

If you don’t know the passcode, reset your Apple Watch

If you can't unpair or erase your Apple Watch because you’ve forgotten its passcode, you can reset the watch.

When you reset Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, you'll have to enter the Apple ID and password that was used to set it up.

  1. Put Apple Watch on its charger.
  2. Press and hold the side button until you see the screen with the power button  in the upper-right corner, then let go of the side button. If your Apple Watch has an earlier version of watchOS, you see the Power Off slider instead of the power button.
  3. Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see the red Reset button.
  4. Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm.
  5. After Apple Watch unpairs completely, you can pair again. Remember that you'll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.


If the pairing process stalls

If it seems like the pairing process has stalled — for example, the pairing animation remains on the screen for several minutes — resetting your Apple Watch might help:

  1. Press and hold the Digital Crown while your Apple Watch is in pairing mode.
  2. Tap Reset when it appears on your watch.
  3. After your watch resets, you can pair again.


Apple Watch series 8 set up

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.