How to Unpair an Apple Watch With and Without iPhone

Liputan6.com, Jakarta How to unpair an Apple Watch? This short guide explains the easiest way. If you want to disconnect your watch from your iPhone, protect your data, or prepare the watch for someone else, these steps will help you do it safely and clearly.

When you unpair your Apple Watch, you disconnect it from your iPhone, so the two devices are no longer linked. This action can help when you plan to sell the watch, give it away, fix connection problems, or pair it with a new phone. The unpairing process usually creates a backup of your watch on the iPhone, so your important health and activity data remain safe. It is a quick process and works with all modern Apple Watch models.

In this article, we will learn how to unpair an Apple Watch with and without your iPhone. We will also share the steps to pair back your Apple Watch and iPhone. We made this guide on Friday (19/9/2025).

When you have both your Apple Watch and iPhone, unpairing is the best and easiest method. This way removes all data safely and turns off Activation Lock. Activation Lock is a security feature that protects your watch from being used by other people.

Before you start the unpairing process, make sure to remove any transit cards from your Apple Watch. Transit cards are used for public transportation, like buses and trains. You can find these cards in the Wallet app on your watch.

Here are the steps to unpair your Apple Watch when you have your iPhone:

1. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close to each other during this process.

2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. This app has a blue icon that looks like an Apple Watch.

3. Tap on the "My Watch" tab at the bottom of the screen.

4. Look for "All Watches" and tap on it.

5. Find the info button next to the watch you want to unpair. The info button looks like a small "i" in a circle.

6. Tap "Unpair Apple Watch" from the menu that appears.

7. Confirm by tapping "Unpair [your Apple Watch name]" again.

8. If you have a GPS + Cellular model, choose whether to keep or remove your cellular plan. Keep the plan if you want to pair the watch again later. Remove it if you are giving the watch away or selling it.

9. Type your Apple Account password when asked. This step disables Activation Lock on your watch.

10. Tap "Unpair" to finish the process.

Your iPhone will create a backup of your Apple Watch before erasing it. This backup can help you set up a new watch later. After unpairing is complete, your watch will show the "Start Pairing" message.

Sometimes you do not have access to the iPhone that your Apple Watch is paired with because you lost it, it broke, or you sold it already. In this case, you can still erase your Apple Watch, but Activation Lock will remain active, which means the new owner will need your Apple Account information to use the watch.

Follow these steps to erase your Apple Watch without your iPhone:

1. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to go to the home screen.

2. Find and tap the "Settings" app. It looks like a gray gear icon.

3. Scroll down and tap "General."

4. Scroll down again and tap "Reset."

5. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings." This option will remove everything from your watch.

6. If your watch asks for a password, type it in using the screen.

7. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan. Keep it if you plan to use the watch again. Remove it if you are giving it away.

8. Tap "Erase All" to confirm your choice.

9. Wait for the process to finish. Your watch will restart and show the setup screen.

Remember that this method does not remove Activation Lock. The person who gets your watch will need your Apple Account and password to set it up. If possible, always use the first method with your iPhone.

After you unpair your Apple Watch, you might want to connect it again. This could happen if you fixed a problem, got a new iPhone, or decided to keep using the same watch. Pairing your watch again is simple and similar to setting up a new watch.

Here is how to pair your Apple Watch again:

1. Put your Apple Watch on your wrist and adjust the band so it fits comfortably.

2. Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until you see the Apple logo. If the watch does not turn on, charge it first.

3. Hold your iPhone near your Apple Watch and wait for the pairing screen to appear on your iPhone.

4. Tap "Continue" when the pairing screen shows up. You can also open the Apple Watch app and tap "Pair New Watch."

5. Tap "Set Up for Myself" when asked.

6. Point your iPhone camera at your Apple Watch screen when prompted. The viewfinder will help align your watch properly.

7. Wait for the devices to connect. This usually takes a few seconds.

8. Choose "Set Up Apple Watch" if this is your first time, or "Make This Your New Apple Watch" if you had another watch before.

9. Sign in with your Apple Account when asked.

10. Create a new passcode for your watch. You can choose a four-digit code or a longer six-digit code.

11. Customize your settings for text size, health information, and notifications.

12. If you have a cellular model, decide whether to activate cellular service now or later.

13. Keep your devices close together while they sync. This process copies your apps and settings to the watch.

Your Apple Watch will show the watch face when everything is ready. You can now use your watch normally. If you had a backup from before, your watch will restore your previous apps and settings automatically.