Apple Watch and phone not syncing

My Apple Watch and phone are paired, but my watch doesn’t show up in the watch app. When I look at my Apple ID, my phone and watch are listed- but there’s no communication happening. When I try to add an Apple Watch, it cannot find my watch. Please help!

Posted on Oct 21, 2023 7:21 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 22, 2023 2:42 PM

Hi MeMarsh,


It's unclear how your iPhone and Apple Watch are simultaneously paired but not showing the device in the Apple Watch app. If you recently switched your device or completed other changes that could explain what you're seeing.


Erase the Apple Watch using the steps in Unpair and erase your Apple Watch on the watch itself:


  1. "On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. 
  2. Type your password if prompted.
  3. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan.
    • If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan. 
    • If you don't want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, remove your plan. If you aren't going to pair with a different watch or iPhone, you might need to contact your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription. 

4. Tap Erase All to confirm. This resets your Apple Watch to the factory settings.


Now you can set up your Apple Watch again. You'll need the Apple ID and password associated with the watch turn off Activation Lock."


Once erased complete the linked directions to set it up again which should remedy the concerns you're reporting regarding connection.


Regards.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 22, 2023 2:42 PM in response to MeMarsh

Hi MeMarsh,


It's unclear how your iPhone and Apple Watch are simultaneously paired but not showing the device in the Apple Watch app. If you recently switched your device or completed other changes that could explain what you're seeing.


Erase the Apple Watch using the steps in Unpair and erase your Apple Watch on the watch itself:


  1. "On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. 
  2. Type your password if prompted.
  3. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan.
    • If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan. 
    • If you don't want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, remove your plan. If you aren't going to pair with a different watch or iPhone, you might need to contact your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription. 

4. Tap Erase All to confirm. This resets your Apple Watch to the factory settings.


Now you can set up your Apple Watch again. You'll need the Apple ID and password associated with the watch turn off Activation Lock."


Once erased complete the linked directions to set it up again which should remedy the concerns you're reporting regarding connection.


Regards.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Apple Watch and phone not syncing

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