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Can’t sync watch with new phone

I need help syncing my Apple Watch 8 to my new iPhone 14 plus

Apple Watch Series 8

Posted on Jan 5, 2023 1:34 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2023 1:36 PM

What is happening when you try to pair the Apple Watch? Make sure that it is unpaired from your previous phone.


Make sure that Apple Watch isn’t already paired

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 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.


1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 5, 2023 1:36 PM in response to Lolli1979

What is happening when you try to pair the Apple Watch? Make sure that it is unpaired from your previous phone.


Make sure that Apple Watch isn’t already paired

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 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.


Can’t sync watch with new phone

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