Transfer Apple Watch to new iPhone

Imagine holding your brand-new iPhone in your hand—shiny, fast, and full of possibilities. Your first thought, of course, is to transfer everything from your old phone to it: photos, apps, contacts...

But what about your Apple Watch? The small smartwatch on your wrist isn't just an accessory. It stores your health data, your workouts, your messages, and has become an indispensable part of your everyday life. It's like the secret star of the Apple ecosystem.

The good news is: Pairing your Apple Watch with a new iPhone isn't rocket science, but a cleverly thought-out process. At WRISTR, we know how important it is to ensure this transition goes smoothly. After all, you shouldn't waste time on complicated settings; you should be able to enjoy your new device right away. In this guide, we'll take you step by step and show you how to easily transfer your Apple Watch to your new iPhone. We've helped over 500,000 customers find their individual style on their wrist—and we celebrate the change that comes with switching devices.

The 7 most important points for moving your Apple Watch to your new iPhone

Before we go into detail, here's a quick rundown of the most important steps. This will give you a quick overview of what to expect.

1. Check requirements: Make sure your devices are up to date and meet the most important requirements.
2. Create a backup: Make sure you have a current backup of your Apple Watch.
3. Unpair: Disconnect your watch from your old iPhone so the backup is saved in iCloud.
4. Set up a new iPhone: Set up your new iPhone and restore it from an iCloud or iTunes backup.
5. Re-pair: Connect your watch to the new device and pair it.
6. Restore: Select your watch backup to restore your data.
7. Confirmation: Confirm the settings and wait until the process is complete.

Creating the right conditions: the first step towards a successful transition

What requirements must my Apple device meet?

The key to a stress-free transition lies in proper preparation. Before you take a single step, you need to make sure both your old and new iPhone meet the right requirements. The software is crucial! Your watch and iPhone should always be running the latest version of watchOS and iOS, respectively. An older version can prevent the devices from communicating with each other or cause data loss. So make sure you've installed all updates before moving.

To do this, all you have to do is go to your iPhone's settings, select "General" and then "Software Update."

The same applies to your Apple Watch: Open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to General > Software Update.

Also, make sure both devices have a stable Wi-Fi connection and enough battery power to complete the process.

Another important point is iCloud. For a smooth backup and subsequent restore, it's crucial that iCloud syncing is enabled. Your Apple Watch backup isn't stored on your iPhone, but in iCloud. Without a functioning iCloud backup, you can't seamlessly transfer your data to your new device.

Your Apple Watch backup: The secret savior

When your watch is paired, it regularly creates an automatic backup on your iPhone. This backup isn't a separate file that you can simply copy. Rather, it's part of your iPhone backup—whether in iCloud or on your computer. To ensure your backup is up-to-date, you'll need to unpair your Apple Watch from your old iPhone.

Why? It's simple: The moment you unpair your watch, your iPhone creates a final, up-to-date backup and saves it to iCloud. This is the crucial step! You can find the unpair option in the Watch app on your old iPhone under "All Watches." Select your watch and tap "Unpair Apple Watch." You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password to remove Activation Lock. Follow the onscreen instructions, and the process is underway.

Transfer to the new iPhone: The magical moment of reunion

Set up your new iPhone and pair your Apple Watch

Now comes the most exciting part: setting up your new iPhone. You'll need to either configure it as a new device or restore it from an iCloud or computer backup. It's important that you sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. If you restore your new iPhone from a backup, your Apple Watch will automatically be offered for pairing. This is the easiest way.

If you're setting up your new iPhone from scratch, you'll need to pair your watch manually. Turn on your Apple Watch and hold it near your new iPhone. You'll see a prompt on your iPhone screen asking if you want to pair your watch. Tap "Continue" and follow the instructions. The Watch app will then guide you through the pairing process. You can then choose between "Restore from backup" and "Set up as new watch." Want to keep your data? Choose the first option!

Data recovery: How to revive your data

After selecting "Restore from Backup," the app will display a list of available backups. Select the most recent backup of your watch. You'll then need to enter your Apple ID to begin the restore. Now it's time to be patient. The process may take a few minutes, depending on the amount of data. Your Apple Watch will show you the progress on the screen. Once the restore is complete, your watch will restart, and all your data, settings, apps, and watch faces should be back where they belong. Your Health data, workouts, and step count are safe.

Common problems and expert tips for a smooth transition

While the process usually runs smoothly, minor hiccups can occur. Sometimes the devices won't connect, or the backup can't be found. In such cases, it's helpful to restart the watch and phone. Checking the Wi-Fi connection can also work wonders.

If you can't unpair your Apple Watch because your old iPhone is broken or lost, there's still a solution. You can reset your watch to factory settings. However, this will delete any data that isn't backed up to iCloud. Don't worry, your Health data that's synced to iCloud will remain intact.

Expert tip from WRISTR: The grand finale

Whether you want to set up your Apple Watch from scratch or restore it from a backup, one thing is clear: your device deserves the best styling. At WRISTR you will not only find timeless, simple Apple Watch bands that are perfect for every occasion, but also a community that shares your love of variety. We offer a huge selection of high-quality bands that not only protect your watch but also make it a real statement. From simple silicone bands to elegant Milanese straps - you will find the perfect match for your Apple Watch with us. And if you still have questions about pairing, we are at your side with our reliable customer service. We listen and are there for you so that you can concentrate on what really matters: living life to the fullest - with the perfect accessory on your wrist.