Start the pairing process on your new iPhone first

Open the Watch app on your new iPhone before you touch the Apple Watch itself. The Watch app is already installed on every iPhone — look for the icon that looks like a small watch face. Tap it, then tap "Start Pairing" or the plus sign in the upper left corner.

Your iPhone will ask you to hold the watch up to the camera so it can read the animation on the watch face. This is faster and more reliable than typing a code. If the camera method does not work — because the watch screen is cracked, for example — you can tap "Pair Apple Watch Manually" and enter the code shown on the watch instead.

Keep your iPhone and watch close together during this step. They need to be within a few feet of each other and both need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for the pairing to complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Start pairing on your iPhone using the Watch app, not on the watch itself — the phone guides the whole process.
  • Your iPhone will ask to read the watch face with its camera, which is faster than manually entering a code.
  • Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and stay close together until pairing finishes.
  • After pairing, your watch will restore your previous data automatically if you signed in with the same Apple ID.
  • If pairing fails, unpair the watch completely, restart both devices, and try again from the Watch app.

Choose whether to restore your old watch data or start fresh

After the camera reads your watch face, your iPhone will ask if you want to restore from a backup or set up as new. If you had an Apple Watch before and backed it up, choose "Restore from Backup." This brings back your apps, watch faces, and settings without you having to set them up again.

If you are setting up a watch for the first time, or if you want a clean start, choose "Set Up as New Apple Watch." You will still need to sign in with your Apple ID — this is what lets the watch read your apps and sync with your phone — but you will configure everything from scratch.

The restore process takes several minutes. Your watch will show a progress bar. Do not unplug either device or move them far apart until it finishes.

Sign in with your Apple ID on the watch

During setup, your watch will ask for your Apple ID and password. This is the same account you use for your iPhone. Entering it here lets the watch read your apps, sync your health data, and connect to iCloud.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID — which you should — your iPhone will send a verification code to your trusted devices. You may need to approve the sign-in on your iPhone or another device you own. This is a security step and takes less than a minute.

After you sign in, the watch will read your apps in the background. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have and how fast your Wi-Fi is. You can use your watch while this happens.

Connect your watch to Wi-Fi and cellular if you have it

Your watch pairs to your iPhone over Bluetooth, but it also needs its own Wi-Fi connection to work when you are away from your phone. During setup, your iPhone will show you a list of Wi-Fi networks. Select the same network your iPhone is on and enter the password if one is needed.

If you have an Apple Watch with cellular — the kind that can make calls and send messages without your phone nearby — you will also see a prompt to set up cellular service. This requires a separate plan from your phone carrier. Your carrier's website or a call to their customer service line will tell you whether they offer this and what it costs.

If you skip Wi-Fi setup now, you can add it later in the Watch app under Settings > Wi-Fi.

Unpair your old watch if you still have it

If you are moving from an old Apple Watch to a new one, you should unpair the old watch from your old iPhone before you pair the new watch to your new iPhone. This prevents confusion and makes sure your data backs up correctly.

To unpair an old watch, open the Watch app on the old iPhone, tap the Watches tab at the bottom, tap the watch you want to remove, tap the info icon (the circle with an "i"), and then tap "Unpair Apple Watch." You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password to confirm. This erases the watch and backs up your data to iCloud.

If you no longer have the old iPhone, you can unpair the watch directly on the watch itself: go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This also backs up your data if you are signed in with your Apple ID.

Troubleshoot if pairing fails or gets stuck

If the camera cannot read your watch face, make sure the watch screen is clean and the lighting is good. Wipe the screen with a soft cloth and try again. If it still does not work, tap "Pair Apple Watch Manually" and type the code shown on the watch instead.

If pairing starts but never finishes, or if you see an error message, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, then turn it back on. On the watch, go to Settings > General > Shut Down, then press and hold the side button until you see the power-off slider. Turn the watch back on and try pairing again from the Watch app.

Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that Bluetooth is turned on in your iPhone's Settings. If you still have trouble, unpair completely (using the steps above), restart both devices again, and start the pairing process over from the Watch app.

Verify your watch is working after pairing completes

Once pairing finishes, your watch should show the time and your watch face. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and check that your watch appears in the Watches tab. The status should say "Connected" in green.

Test a few basic functions: raise your wrist to wake the screen, swipe up from the bottom to see notifications, and swipe down from the top to see quick settings. Try sending a message from your phone to see if it appears on your watch. Check that your health app is syncing by opening the Health app on your iPhone and looking for recent activity.

If your watch shows as disconnected or if notifications are not coming through, make sure Wi-Fi is on, Bluetooth is on, and both devices are close together. Restart your watch by pressing and holding the side button until you see the power-off slider, then turn it back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unpair my old watch before pairing a new one?

You should unpair the old watch before pairing the new one, but it is not strictly required. If you pair the new watch first, your old watch will automatically unpair from your iPhone. However, unpairing the old watch first ensures your backup saves correctly and prevents any confusion during the process.

Can I pair my watch to a different iPhone than before?

Yes. As long as you sign in with the same Apple ID during setup, your watch will restore your apps, watch faces, and settings from your previous backup. You can pair an Apple Watch to a new iPhone at any time.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password during watch setup?

You can skip signing in during setup and add your Apple ID later in the Watch app. Go to Watch app > General > About and scroll down to find the Apple ID section. However, you will not be able to read apps or use some features until you sign in.

How long does pairing usually take?

The pairing itself takes 2 to 5 minutes. After that, your watch will read your apps and data in the background, which can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have. You can use your watch while this happens.

Why does my watch say it is not connected even though pairing finished?

This usually means Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is off on your iPhone, or the devices are too far apart. Check that Bluetooth is on in your iPhone Settings, that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, and that they are within 30 feet of each other. Restart your watch by holding the side button until the power-off slider appears.