How to Reset Apple Watch

You may want to reset your Apple Watch if you forgot your passcode or if you want to transfer the ownership to another person. It doesn’t necessarily mean when your Apple Watch is stuck or because there are too many passcode attempts. So, in this article, we will take a look at how to reset Apple Watch and pair again.

It’s important to reset your Apple Watch if you intend to sell it or give it away so that no one else can access any sensitive information you may have saved on it. This also makes it much simpler for the new owner to sync the device with their iPhone and iCloud account.

So, it’s a win-win situation when you choose to reset your Apple Watch because you want to give it out. It’s also worth noting that how to reset Apple Watch is different from how to reset the Apple Watch password.

How to Reset Apple Watch

When Should I Reset My Apple Watch?

In case you want to know why you should reset or when to reset your Apple watch, then you can check out the below to guide you:

  • When there is a technical problem with your Apple Watch, you may need to reset it.
  • You should also reset it if you want to give or sell the watch to someone else.
  • Corrupted apps, incomplete or unsuccessful software updates, as well as several other potential snags, could all result in software troubles.
  • Resetting your Apple Watch is essential if you plan to sell, give, or gift it to safeguard your private information and ensure that the new owner will be able to use it.How to Reset Apple Watch

How to Reset Apple Watch

Before you go ahead to reset your Apple Watch, you need the exact smartwatch you need to reset and an optional iPhone. But since you can reset your Apple Watch without an iPhone you might not need this. This process requires about 5 to 10 minutes.

There are several ways you can explore to reset your Apple Watch, they include using iPhone or using the Apple Watch itself.

You can as well unpair your Apple Watch to remove the sync and reset it. In case you are trying to fix a technical issue, we recommend that you back up your smartwatch first since this will allow you to recover all your apps and data to it afterwards. 

Recommended: How to Reset Apple Watch without paired Phone and Password

How to Reset Apple Watch with iPhone

If you are transferring ownership of the Apple watch, we recommend you reset the Apple Watch with your iPhone as the watch’s activation lock will be disabled which will allow the new owner to pair the Apple watch with their iPhone correctly. Follow the steps below:

Note: You need to back up your Apple Watch

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
  • Tap the My Watch tab.
  • Tap General > Reset.
  • Tap Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.
  • tap it again at the bottom of the screen to confirm.
  • You might need to enter your Apple ID password.

There you go. The steps above will reset your Apple Watch and restore it to the default setting and be ready to pair again.

How to Reset Apple Watch without Paired Phone and Password

You don’t need either the phone your Apple Watch is paired with or the Apple Watch password as you can reset your Apple Watch without them. However, the downside of how to reset Apple watch without paired phone and password is that the iPhone Activation lock is not going to be removed. This will limit the new owner if you are transferring the ownership as the new owner will be prompted to enter the previous owner’s Apple ID login password and username to use it.

However, if your Apple Watch is nearby your iPhone it will be backup automatically using this method to reset your Apple Watch.

  • Place the Apple Watch on its charging to start charging it and let the watch keep charging until the reset is complete.
  • Press & hold the side button and don’t let go until the power off screen appears.
  • Press and hold the Digital Crown until “Erase all content and settings” on the screen appears.
  • Click on the “Reset” button.
  • Click on “Reset” again to confirm the decision.
  • Wait for your Apple Watch reset to complete without removing the watch from the charger.

Once the Apple Watch is reset completely, you can remove it from the charger and pair it with your new device. Note, if you are transferring the ownership you will be prompted to provide your AppleID because of the Activation Lock.

How to Reset Apple Watch without Passcode

Whether you can remember your Apple Watch passcode or not you can easily reset your Apple Watch. So, in this guide, I’ll walk you through how to reset Apple Watch without passcode.

  • Keep the Apple Watch whose passcode is forgotten and your iPhone close to each other.
  • Launch the “Apple Watch” app on your iPhone close to your Apple Watch.
  • Choose “General.”
  • Scroll down and click on “Reset.”
  • Select “Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings” and click on the “Confirm” button.
  • Sign in with your “AppleID.”
  • Click “Erase”

The steps above should complete the reset approach. However, if you have an Apple plan you will be asked to either continue with it or cancel it. So, you need to choose what is best for you at that point.

How to Reset Apple Watch

Unpair Apple Watch

This is another method that will completely reset your Apple watch by removing all stored data and also makes it readily available for an iPhone to connect with it afterwards.

Note that before the watch will pair properly with a new iPhone, Activation Lock, which prevents lost or stolen Apple Watches from being used, must be properly disabled during the unpairing procedure. 

  • Tap Unpair Apple Watch at the bottom of the Apple Watch settings and information screen.
  • This will start the final procedure.
  • This is also the only time you will see different options based on the model of your Apple Watch.

For GPS-only models:

  • Enter your Apple ID password to turn off the activation lock and complete the unpairing process.

For GPS and cellular models:

  • Choose whether or not to keep your Apple Watch’s active cellular plan.
  • In case you are trying to fix a technical issue and you want to keep the watch you can go ahead.
  • Remove the watch if you are selling or giving it away.
  • After making this selection, enter your Apple ID password to disable the activation lock on your Apple Watch and finish the unpairing process.

How to Reset Apple Watch

Using Apple Watch’s Settings App

If you don’t have your iPhone with you, you can as well complete a portion of the process straight on the Apple Watch. However, there are two limitations to this.

First and foremost, you won’t be able to conduct a final backup without your iPhone. Second, you can’t disable Activation Lock without first unpairing your watch from the iPhone, as described above.

This implies that if you intend to sell or give the watch away, you should use the “with iPhone” method, as Activation Lock will prevent any new owners from properly pairing your old Apple Watch.

  • On the Apple Watch, the Reset option is found in the Settings app.
  • To get there, go to Settings >> General >> Reset.

If this still doesn’t solve your issue, likely, a visit to an Apple Store or at the very least a phone contact to Apple technical support will be required to address any potential hardware issues. Drop your comments below and let us know if you were able to reset your watch successfully.

Leave a Comment