In case you want to sell your Apple Watch or even give it to someone or even do any kind of troubleshooting, it is very important to know how to unpair Apple Watch. Unpairing makes your personal information safely stored, disassociates your Apple ID with the device, and gets it ready to install again. Regardless of whether you have your iPhone, an ancient phone, or no phone whatsoever, this comprehensive guide will take you through all the possible approaches.
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What Happens When You Unpair an Apple Watch
It is good to know what unpairing does before you begin. In case of unpairing your Apple Watch, it will automatically save your recent preferences, applications and health data to your iPhone. This is a backup that may later be reinstated in case you want to pair the watch once more. The watch then restarts to factory settings eliminating any personal data, watch faces, and customizations.
Unpairing with the iPhone also turns off Activation Lock which is the Apple security measure that ensures that an unauthorized user cannot reactivate your watch. But when you delete the watch on the device itself, without deleting it on your iPhone, the Activation Lock is still on until you delete it by hand through iCloud. This is why it is so crucial to consider the appropriate unpairing process, particularly when you intend to resell or donate your Apple Watch.
How to Unpair Apple Watch from iPhone
Unpairing is best and most reliable via your iPhone with which your Apple Watch is already linked. In this way, your data will be backed up, and Activation Lock will be switched off automatically.
Step-by-Step Process
First, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. On the upper part of the screen, tap My Watch and then All Watches, and you will be presented with a list of watches connected to your iPhone. Tap the information icon (i) beside the watch that you would wish to unpair. Select their Unpair Apple Watch and affirm the same.
When your Apple Watch is a cellular version, you will be asked to choose whether to retain or discard your cellular plan. In case you intend to pair this watch once more with the same or new iPhone, it is reasonable to keep the plan. But when you are selling or giving the device away it is advisable to take off the device. After confirming, you should fill your Apple ID password in order to disable the Activation Lock.
Once these steps are performed, your iPhone will start generating a final backup of the information on your watch and then wipe it clean. It can last several minutes. When it is successful, your Apple Watch will reboot and show the setup screen which is ready to be paired to a new device.
What Happens Next
Once the unpairing has been done, the final backup is automatically saved on your iPhone. This backup will be available in future to restore your data, settings, and customizations. Activation Lock is turned off, so now your watch is fully free to be configured by you or any other person.
How to Unpair Apple Watch from an Old Phone
In case you have recently switched your iPhone and you still have the old one that you were using, then it would be advisable to unpair your Apple Watch to the old phone and connect it to the new phone. By doing so, a clean transfer is achieved and no connection problems will arise.
Using the Old iPhone
Just repeat the unpairing process as above but with the Apple Watch app on your old phone. After unpairing, pair your new iPhone and re-pair the Watch with the Watch app. You have a choice of Restoring a Backup during setup – this will re-import your data, apps and settings with the former unpaired watch.
If You No Longer Have the Old iPhone
You can sometimes sell or erase your old iPhone and neglect to unpair your Apple Watch. You can still disconnect it in that case via iCloud. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. There, in Find My, go to All Devices Apple Watch. Choose your watch and select Erase Apple Watch and then Remove from Account. This will erase everything on your watch, and it will remove the Activation Lock so that it can be paired with another iPhone.
How to Unpair Apple Watch Without Phone
You can also reset your watch directly on the device, even when your iPhone is lost, damaged or unavailable. This process will delete all content and settings in your watch returning it to factory status.
Steps to Erase on the Watch
In order to accomplish this, you need to have your Apple Watch on its charger since it has to be on during the reset process. To do this, open the Settings app on your watch, tap General, and then Reset, followed by a final tap on Erase All Content and Settings. Type in your passcode when asked. In the case of cellular models, you will also be prompted to keep or delete the cellular plan – again, deleting it is recommended in case you do not intend to utilize the gadget anymore.
Important Note About Activation Lock
This is a method that will delete the data, but will not clear Activation Lock. Even after your watch is removed via iCloud, it will remain linked to your Apple ID, meaning that other people cannot use it until it is cleared. In order to accomplish the process, go to iCloud.com → Find My → All Devices → Apple Watch → Remove from Account. After this, the watch can be paired with another phone safely.
How to Remove Activation Lock on Apple Watch
The Apple Watch may have Activation Lock, which can be removed manually in iCloud. Sign in to iCloud.com with the same Apple ID that is associated with the watch. To do this, visit Find My, then go to All Devices and select your Apple Watch. Click on Erase Apple Watch and choose Removal in Account.
Once this is done, your Apple Watch will no longer be connected to your iCloud account and can be configured by a new user. This is critical especially when you intend to sell/gift your device because it will make sure that the subsequent user does not face any restrictions during the setup process.
Troubleshooting Unpairing Issues
The unpairing process is sometimes not smooth. In case the watch has been stuck on the Apple logo or the process has stopped half-way, begin by keeping the two devices within close proximity and by making sure that the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi services are enabled. To re-establish the connection, re-boot both your iPhone and Apple watch. It is also worth checking whether iOS or watchOS updates are available, with the old software potentially getting in the way of syncing.
In case you still cannot unpair, then attempt to reset the Apple Watch using the Erase All Content and Settings. To cellular users: in case your data plan does not automatically cancel upon unpairing, make sure to contact your network provider so that the plan can be removed.
In case you purchased a second hand Apple Watch that is still locked to the old owner and the Apple ID, the best thing you can do is to get him or her to take the watch out of his/her iCloud account. Activation Lock can not be disabled in Apple, since it prevents stealing and safeguards user information.
Preparing Apple Watch for Sale or Gift
It is also important to take care of your personal information by completely deleting it and disassociating your accounts before your Apple Watch is transferred to another person. The first step is to unpair the watch with your iPhone, this way you can be sure that a backup is made and Activation Lock is disabled. Next, delete the Apple Pay cards associated with the device, and exit your iCloud account where appropriate. In case you have a cellular model, call your carrier to cancel or transfer your plan. By ensuring all these steps, your Apple Watch will be all set to be used by its new owner.
Conclusion
When you are upgrading, selling or troubleshooting your Apple Watch, unpairing your device is a simple yet necessary process. Your best and safest method is via your iPhone because it will automatically generate a backup and deactivate Activation Lock. But, despite the fact you no longer have your iPhone, you can still delete and disconnect your watch on iCloud. Remember to disable Activation Lock: before giving your watch to another person, make sure to turn this feature off this way, and you will easily set up your device and keep your personal information safe.
FAQs How to Unpair Apple Watch?
Can I Unpair Apple Watch Without iPhone?
Yes, it is possible to delete your watch right into its settings, though it is important to keep in mind that such a procedure would not delete Activation Lock. To detach it with the Apple ID, you will have to use iCloud.
Does Unpairing Delete My Apple Watch Data?
Whenever you unpair your iPhone, it makes a backup and then it erases. This backup will be later recoverable in the setup process, and thus no permanent loss of any of your data.
How Do I Remove Activation Lock?
The simplest solution is via unpairing using your iPhone, which becomes self-disabling. Alternatively, log in to iCloud and manually delete the watch in your account.
What If I Lost My Old iPhone?
Signing in online will still allow you to remove your watch off iCloud. On the Find My dashboard, delete your Apple Watch and take it off your account.
Can I Use My Watch with a New iPhone?
Yes. Once unpaired and reset, all you need to do is to pair your watch to your new iPhone and select “Restore from Backup” to restore your old settings.