What you need before you start
Your Apple Watch and iPhone must be close to each other — within a few feet — during the entire pairing process. The watch needs to be charged to at least 10 percent battery. Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 17 or later (or whatever the current version is when you read this), and your watch needs to be running watchOS 10 or later. Both devices must have Bluetooth turned on, and your iPhone's Wi-Fi should be on as well.
If you have never set up this particular Apple Watch before, it will be in pairing mode already. If someone else set it up first, or if you are pairing it to a different iPhone, you will need to erase the watch and start fresh. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on the watch itself.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, and hold your iPhone's camera up to the watch's pairing code to connect them.
- Your iPhone and watch must be within a few feet of each other, both have Bluetooth on, and the watch must have at least 10 percent battery.
- After pairing, you will be asked to set a passcode on the watch and choose which apps to install — this takes five to ten minutes.
- If pairing fails, restart both devices, make sure they are close together, and try again rather than erasing the watch when ready.
The step-by-step pairing process
Open the Watch app on your iPhone. This is a separate app from the main Apple Watch app that shows your activity — it is the one with a small watch face icon. Tap the plus sign in the upper left corner. Your iPhone will ask for permission to use Bluetooth and your location; allow both.
Hold your iPhone's camera up to the animation code that appears on your Apple Watch screen. The code looks like a moving target or spiral pattern. Keep the watch steady and in frame until your iPhone says "Pairing in progress." This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Do not move the watch or iPhone until the pairing completes.
Once pairing is done, your iPhone will ask you to create a passcode for the watch. This is a four-digit code that protects your watch if it is lost or stolen. You can skip this step, but it is worth doing if you plan to use Apple Pay on the watch or store any sensitive information. After the passcode, your iPhone will ask which apps you want on the watch. You can choose now or add them later.
What happens after pairing is complete
Your watch will begin downloading and installing the apps you selected. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you chose and your Wi-Fi speed. During this time, keep the watch and iPhone near each other and plugged in if possible. The watch will show a progress circle as apps install.
Once installation is done, your watch will show the time and your iPhone will display a summary of what is now on the watch. You can start using it right away. Your activity data, contacts, and calendar will begin syncing automatically. If you have Apple Pay set up on your iPhone, you can add a card to the watch by opening the Wallet app on the watch and following the prompts.
Troubleshooting when pairing does not work
If the pairing code does not scan, make sure you are holding the iPhone steady and the watch screen is clean and bright. Try moving the iPhone slightly closer or farther away. If it still does not work, restart both devices: hold the side button on the watch until the power-off slider appears, swipe it, wait 10 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. Do the same with your iPhone.
If pairing still fails after a restart, check that Bluetooth is on for both devices. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure it is toggled on. On the watch, go to Settings > Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is on and pairing still will not work, try moving to a different room away from other wireless devices, as interference can sometimes block the connection.
If you have tried restarting and moving locations and pairing still fails, then erase the watch and try again. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on the watch. This will put it back into pairing mode. Wait a minute, then open the Watch app on your iPhone and start the pairing process over.
Keeping your watch and phone connected after pairing
After the initial pairing, your watch and iPhone stay connected through Bluetooth as long as they are in range of each other. If you leave your iPhone at home and take your watch out, the watch can still use Wi-Fi to send and receive messages, check the weather, and get notifications — but only if you have connected the watch to a Wi-Fi network first. To do this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi on the watch and select a network.
If your watch keeps disconnecting from your iPhone, the most common cause is that Bluetooth is being turned off accidentally or that the devices are too far apart. Check that Bluetooth is still on in your iPhone's Settings. If you have multiple Apple Watches or iPhones in the same house, make sure you are pairing the right watch to the right phone — the Watch app will show you which device is currently paired.
Pairing a second watch or switching to a new iPhone
If you want to pair a second Apple Watch to the same iPhone, open the Watch app, tap the Watches tab at the bottom, and tap the plus sign. You can have up to two watches paired to one iPhone at a time. The watch you use most often should be set as your primary watch in the Watch app settings.
If you are switching to a new iPhone, unpair your watch from the old phone first. Open the Watch app on the old iPhone, tap the Watches tab, tap the watch you want to unpair, tap the info icon, and select "Unpair Apple Watch." This erases the watch. Then set up the watch again with your new iPhone by following the pairing steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple ID to pair my watch with my phone?
You need to be signed into your Apple ID on your iPhone before you start pairing. The watch will use the same Apple ID as your phone. If you are not signed in, go to Settings > [Your Name] on your iPhone and sign in first.
Can I pair my Apple Watch to an Android phone?
No. Apple Watches only work with iPhones. If you have an Android phone, you will need a different smartwatch — Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, or Wear OS watches are common alternatives.
What if the pairing code on my watch is not showing up?
If you do not see the pairing code on your watch screen, the watch may already be paired to another iPhone. Erase the watch by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will clear the old pairing and show the code again.
Do I need cellular service on my watch to pair it?
No. Pairing works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi only. If you want cellular service on your watch later, you can add it through your carrier, but it is not required for pairing or basic use.
How do I know if my watch is actually paired?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone and look at the Watches tab. If your watch is listed there with a green dot next to it, it is paired and connected. If the dot is gray, the watch is paired but out of range or Bluetooth is off.