In this short guide, I share with you exactly how to unpair your Apple Watch from an iPhone to which you have it currently connected.
Because unparing your Apple Watch erases it from your iPhone, you’ll have to configure it from scratch to use it.
There are three ways to disconnect your Apple Watch from your iPhone. You can use the Watch app, erase the device from the watch itself, or use the Find My app if you lost your watch.
Unpair Apple Watch from Your iPhone
To unpair and reset your Apple Watch directly from your iPhone:
- Open Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap All Watches.
- Select the info icon next to the Apple Watch you’d like to unpair.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
- Confirm that you want to disconnect the watch from your iPhone.
Watch app will ask you if you would like to keep or remove your data plan if yours is a cellular Apple Watch model. I suggest that you don’t delete the plan if you intend to use it with another cellular smartwatch from Apple.
Two things happen in the background if you unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone.
First, Activation Lock deactivates automatically to allow you or someone else to configure the Apple Watch with a different iPhone. This is important especially if you intend to sell the watch or pass it on to a family member.
Second, Apple Watch saves your to your iPhone, erases all content from the watch, disconnects from your iPhone, and then deletes all Bluetooth connections.
Your Apple Watch backup includes essential information, such as health and fitness data, app settings, watch faces, and system settings, which you may need for a new smartwatch.
Erase Your Apple Watch from the Watch Itself
To unpair your Apple Watch via the watch itself:
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Select General and then tap Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode if required.
Your Apple Watch will ask you if you wish to keep or remove your data plan if your version is a cellular model. Choose your option accordingly.
Keep in mind that unpairing your Apple Watch from the watch doesn’t back up your information to your iPhone. It erases all data, settings, app history, and configurations forever.
Additionally, you need to disable the activation lock because it’s still active at this point.
- Go to iCloud.com
- Sign in with Apple Account.
- Select the Find My option.
- Click All Devicesbutton to see a list of all your devices.
- Select your Apple Watch from the drop down.
- Click Erase Apple Watch.
- Provide your Apple ID when prompted.
iCloud will send a notification with a verification code to your Apple Watch. Allow the notification and then type the code on your iCloud to remove the Activation Lock from the watch.
Use Find My App to Erase Your Apple Watch Remotely
It’s possible to unpair your Apple Watch remotely via iCloud or Find My app, but only if it’s connected to the internet via cellular data or Wi-Fi.
- Open Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Tap Devices.
- Choose your Apple Watch.
- Tap Erase This Device and tap Continue.
- Enter your preferred phone (if you lost your watch so anyone who gets it can contact you).
- Tap Erase.
Once you erase your Apple Watch remotely, it will disappear from the Find My app, meaning you won’t be able to track or find it ever again.
Should I Unpair My Apple Watch?
You can unpair your Apple Watch if you want to:
- Sell it as a second hand model or pass it on to a family member.
- Fix common Apple Watch problems such as unresponsive screen, stuck Digital Crown, and incomplete watchOS updates.
- Erase your data from a lost Apple Watch, especially if there are zero chances that you’ll find it later on.
- Create a new passcode for your Apple Watch because you forgot the current one.
How Do I Reconfigure My Apple Watch?
If you disconnected your Apple Watch from iPhone because of performance issues, check out my guide on how to pair an Apple Watch to reconfigure the device.
Depending on how you unpaired your smartwatch, you’ll have to complete the setup process from scratch or from a backup.
