Having trouble pairing your Apple Watch with your new iPhone? This can be a frustrating experience, especially when you rely on your watch for everyday tasks. If your Apple Watch won’t pair with your new iPhone, you’ll need to ensure both devices are updated to the latest software.
Keep your devices close to each other for the pairing process to work properly. Checking that Airplane Mode is off on both devices is also crucial. Having Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on will help maintain the connection. These steps can often resolve common pairing issues.
If the issue persists, you might need to unpair and then re-pair your Apple Watch. This can be done through the Watch app on your iPhone. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete this process smoothly.
1. Make Sure Both Devices Are Updated
Before pairing, check that both your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest software versions.
To update your iPhone:
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install if an update is available.
To update your Apple Watch:
- Place it on the charger.
- On your old iPhone or the Watch itself, go to Settings → General → Software Update.
- Install any available updates.
⚠️ If your Apple Watch is running an older version of watchOS than your new iPhone supports, it may not pair until updated.
2. Check Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Airplane Mode
Your Apple Watch pairs with your iPhone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so both need to be enabled.
- On your iPhone:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner → ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on.
- Make sure Airplane Mode is off.
- On your Apple Watch:
- Swipe up on the watch face → ensure Airplane Mode is off and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on.
3. Unpair from the Old iPhone First
If your Apple Watch is still linked to your old iPhone, it won’t pair with the new one until you unpair it.
To unpair:
- On your old iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Tap All Watches → (i) next to your watch’s name.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
- If it’s a cellular model, choose whether to keep or remove your plan.
- Wait for the process to finish — this also creates a backup of your watch data.
If you no longer have your old iPhone, skip ahead to step 5 to erase the watch manually.
4. Try Automatic Pairing
After unpairing, bring your Apple Watch close to your new iPhone.
- Turn on your new iPhone and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Turn on your Apple Watch (press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo).
- When the pairing animation appears on your iPhone, tap Continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore from backup or set up as new.
If the pairing animation doesn’t appear, continue to the next step.
5. Pair Manually
If automatic pairing fails:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap Start Pairing → Set Up for Myself.
- On your Watch, tap the “i” icon to view its name.
- On your iPhone, tap Pair Apple Watch Manually and select your watch from the list.
- Follow the prompts to finish setup.
6. Erase Your Apple Watch and Try Again
If your Apple Watch is still linked to your old phone or stuck on the pairing screen, a factory reset can help.
To erase directly on the Watch:
- Go to Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Once erased, try pairing it again with your new iPhone.
Alternatively, you can erase it using your old iPhone (if available) through the Watch app → All Watches → Unpair.
7. Check Apple ID and iCloud Settings
Your Apple Watch is tied to your Apple ID for security reasons (Activation Lock). If you’re signed into a different Apple ID on your new iPhone, pairing might fail.
To check:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings → [Your Name].
- Make sure it’s the same Apple ID used previously with your Apple Watch.
- If you see an Activation Lock message on your watch, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID credentials to remove it.
8. Reset Network Settings on iPhone
Sometimes, network conflicts prevent pairing.
To reset:
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
After resetting, turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi back on and retry pairing.
9. Contact Apple Support
If none of these steps work, your Apple Watch or iPhone may have a deeper software or hardware issue.
Visit Apple Support’s official pairing guide or schedule a Genius Bar appointment.
Quick Summary
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Outdated software | Update iPhone and Apple Watch |
| Bluetooth/Wi-Fi off | Enable both on iPhone and Watch |
| Still paired to old iPhone | Unpair or erase Watch |
| Pairing stuck | Try manual setup |
| Activation Lock | Sign in with correct Apple ID |
| Persistent issue | Reset network settings or contact Apple |
Final Thoughts
Pairing your Apple Watch with a new iPhone should be seamless — but if it isn’t, these steps will solve the problem in most cases. The key is ensuring both devices are updated, unpaired correctly, and connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
If all else fails, a quick reset or Apple Support visit will have your iWatch running with your new iPhone in no time.
Sources:
- Apple Support: If You Can’t Pair Your Apple Watch with a New iPhone
- TechBloat – Apple Watch Not Pairing with New iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide
- MacObserver – How to Pair an Apple Watch to a New iPhone
Key Takeaways
- Keep devices updated to the latest software.
- Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled.
- Unpair and re-pair the Apple Watch if needed.
Troubleshooting Pairing Issues
When your Apple Watch won’t pair with your iPhone, there are several steps you can take to fix the issue. This includes checking compatibility and initial setup, resolving connection problems, and trying advanced solutions like a factory reset.
Checking Compatibility and Preliminary Steps
First, make sure your devices are compatible. The Apple Watch works best with an iPhone running the latest version of iOS. Check that both devices are updated.
The iPhone and the Watch should both be charged. Also, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on the iPhone. Turn off Airplane Mode on both devices. If the Apple Watch doesn’t pair after this, restart both devices.
To restart, hold the side button on your Apple Watch until you see the power off slider. Do the same for the iPhone by holding the power button until the slider appears.
Resolving Connection Challenges
If issues persist, try checking the connection between your devices. Open the Control Center on your iPhone and ensure that Bluetooth is on. Also, ensure Airplane Mode is off.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Check your settings under “General” to ensure no restrictions are blocking connections. If the Apple Watch still doesn’t connect, try unpairing and re-pairing the devices.
To unpair, go to the Watch app, tap your watch, then tap the “i” button. Select “Unpair Apple Watch” and confirm. Pair the Watch again by following the instructions on your iPhone.
Advanced Solutions and Factory Reset
If all else fails, consider a factory reset. Please note that this step will erase all data, including Activity and Health data. To start, unpair the Apple Watch from the iPhone using the Watch app.
Next, go to the Apple Watch settings, select “General,” and tap “Reset.” Choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” Once the watch restarts, set it up again and pair it with your iPhone.
For severe issues, consider resetting the network settings on your iPhone. Go to “Settings,” select “General,” then “Reset,” and tap “Reset Network Settings.” This step will remove previously saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
