How to Unpair Apple Watch from Old iPhone (Transfer Your Watch to a New Device in 10 Minutes)

Why Unpair Your Apple Watch the Right Way

Getting a new iPhone? Planning to give away your old one? You need to unpair your Apple Watch first. This keeps your data safe and makes setup smooth on your new device.

Here’s what happens when you unpair:

• Your watch settings get backed up
• Personal data gets removed from your old iPhone
• Your watch gets ready for a new iPhone

Skip this step and you might lose workout data or have trouble pairing later.

What You Need Before Starting

Make sure you have these items ready:

Your Devices:

• iPhone 6s or newer with iOS 14+
• Any Apple Watch model (Series 1 to Ultra)
• Both devices charged to at least 50%

Your Accounts:

• Active Apple ID
• iCloud turned on
• Internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)

Keep your iPhone and watch close together. They need to stay within 30 feet of each other.

Warning: Unpairing erases everything on your watch. Check that your Health app has recent backups first.

Step 1: Check Your Backup Settings

Your watch data needs to save to iCloud first. Here’s how to check:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap your name at the top
3. Choose iCloud
4. Find Health and make sure it’s on (green)
5. Go back to Settings
6. Tap Privacy & Security
7. Select Health
8. Check that both iPhone and watch are listed

You should see green toggles and both devices listed.

Step 2: Open the Watch App

Find the Watch app on your iPhone. It has a black icon with a white watch shape.

1. Tap the Watch app to open it
2. Wait a few seconds for it to load
3. Look for “My Watch” at the bottom

You should see your watch name and model at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Find Your Watch

If you have more than one watch, pick the right one:

1. Stay on the My Watch tab
2. Check the watch name at the top
3. Is this the watch you want to unpair? Go to step 4
4. Need a different watch? Tap All Watches and pick the right one

Your current watch name and model should show clearly at the top.

Step 4: Open Watch Info

Look for the blue “i” button in the top-right corner:

1. Tap the “i” button
2. Wait for the info screen to load

You’ll see details about your watch like name, model, and storage space.

Step 5: Start Unpairing

Now you can unpair your watch:

1. Scroll down to find “Unpair Apple Watch”
2. Tap “Unpair Apple Watch” (shown in red)
3. Read the backup message
4. Tap “Unpair” to confirm

A warning will pop up. It explains that unpairing creates a backup and erases your watch.

Step 6: Enter Your Password

Apple needs your password for security:

1. Type your Apple ID password
2. Check that it’s correct
3. Tap “Unpair” or “Continue”
4. Wait for Apple to check your password

This takes 15-30 seconds with good internet.

Step 7: Wait for the Process

Unpairing takes time. Here’s what happens:

Backup Stage (2-4 minutes):

• iPhone shows “Backing up Apple Watch”
• Don’t use either device

Unpairing Stage (3-5 minutes):

• Shows “Unpairing Apple Watch”
• Progress bar appears
• Keep devices close together

Your watch will show animations and then display “Hello” when done.

Step 8: Check It Worked

Make sure unpairing finished correctly:

1. Check the Watch app - should show “Start Pairing”
2. Look at your watch - should show “Hello” screen
3. Go to iPhone Settings > Bluetooth - watch shouldn’t be listed
4. Check your backup: Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Manage Storage > Health

Your watch should look like it’s brand new.

Fix Common Problems

“Unable to Unpair” Error:

• Charge both devices to 50%+
• Check internet connection
• Close Watch app and restart both devices
• Try again

Password Won’t Work:

• Use Apple ID password, not device passcode
• Wait 24 hours if you just changed your password
• Sign out and back into iCloud

Backup Failed:

• Check iCloud storage space (need 1GB free)
• Delete old backups if needed
• Upgrade storage temporarily

Process Stops Working:

• Wait 10 minutes first
• If still frozen, restart both devices
• Start over

Watch Won’t Reset:

• Hold side button + Digital Crown
• Wait for Apple logo
• Release both buttons

Special Cases

Family Setup Watches: You need the family member’s Apple ID password or their iPhone to unpair.

Cellular Models: Call your carrier after unpairing. You might need to transfer service or cancel the watch line.

Multiple Watches: Rename your backups in iCloud to keep track of which is which.

You’re All Set

Your watch is now unpaired and your data is safe in iCloud. When you set up your new iPhone, you can restore everything from backup.

Keep your old iPhone until you’ve set up your watch with the new one. This makes sure you don’t lose any data.

Your health data, watch faces, and apps will all come back when you pair with your new device.