How to Reset an Apple Watch

Resetting an Apple Watch can solve certain software problems, remove a forgotten passcode, or prepare the watch for a new owner. The correct method depends on whether you still have the paired iPhone and what you plan to do with the watch afterward.

If you are selling or giving away your Apple Watch, the best option is usually to unpair it through the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. This erases the watch and removes Activation Lock. If you erase the watch directly from its Settings app, your data is removed, but Activation Lock remains connected to your Apple Account. Apple confirms this distinction in its current support instructions.

Which Reset Method Should You Use?

Before resetting your Apple Watch, choose the method that matches your situation.

Situation	Recommended method	Removes Activation Lock?
You have the paired iPhone	Unpair through the Apple Watch app	Yes
You are selling or giving away the watch	Unpair through the paired iPhone	Yes
You don’t have the paired iPhone	Erase from the Apple Watch	No
You forgot the passcode	Reset using the charger and buttons	No
You only have a temporary software problem	Restart first	No data is erased

If you simply want to fix a frozen app or minor software issue, try restarting the watch before performing a factory reset. A reset erases data and settings, so it should not usually be the first troubleshooting step.

Before You Reset Your Apple Watch

Make sure you know the Apple Account password associated with the watch. If possible, you should also know the Apple Watch passcode. You may need these details during the reset or when setting up the watch again.

If you have an Apple Watch with cellular service, decide whether you want to keep the mobile plan. Keep it if you plan to pair the watch with the same iPhone again. If you are selling the watch or moving it to another iPhone, you will normally want to remove the plan. Removing it from the watch does not necessarily cancel your carrier subscription, so you may still need to contact your mobile provider.

It is also worth noting that Apple Watch does not have a physical reset hole. Apple specifically warns users not to insert anything into the openings on the watch case.

How to Reset an Apple Watch Using Your iPhone

If you still have the iPhone paired with the Apple Watch, this is generally the easiest method. It is especially important if you are preparing the watch for another person because unpairing also removes Activation Lock.

Keep the Apple Watch and iPhone close together while you complete the process.

Unpair and Factory Reset the Apple Watch

Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go to the My Watch tab. Tap All Watches, then tap the information button next to the Apple Watch you want to reset.

Tap Unpair Apple Watch, then confirm that you want to unpair it. If the watch has a cellular plan, you will be asked whether you want to keep or remove it. Keep the plan if you intend to pair the same watch and iPhone again; remove it if you are selling or giving away the watch.

Enter your Apple Account password when requested, then tap Unpair. The Apple Watch will be erased and restored to factory settings. Because you used the paired iPhone to unpair it, Activation Lock is also removed.

How to Reset an Apple Watch Without an iPhone

You can also erase an Apple Watch directly from the watch itself. This is useful when the paired iPhone is unavailable, but there is an important limitation: Activation Lock will remain enabled.

On the Apple Watch, open Settings, then go to General > Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings and enter your passcode if requested.

If you have a cellular model, choose whether to keep or remove your cellular plan. Tap Erase All to confirm and wait for the process to finish.

Afterward, the watch will return to its setup screen. To pair it again, you will need the Apple Account and password associated with the watch because Activation Lock is still active.

How to Reset an Apple Watch if You Forgot the Passcode

If you cannot access the Settings app because you forgot your Apple Watch passcode, you can still erase the watch using its physical controls.

Place the Apple Watch on its charger and leave it there throughout the process. Press and hold the side button until the power button appears in the upper-right corner of the screen. Then press and hold the Digital Crown until Erase all content and settings appears.

Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm. Wait until the erase process finishes, then set up the Apple Watch again. If a backup is available, you can restore it during setup.

This method removes the forgotten passcode along with the rest of the watch’s data, but it does not remove Activation Lock. You will still need the Apple Account credentials previously associated with the device.

What Happens When You Reset an Apple Watch?

A factory reset erases the content and settings stored on the Apple Watch. This includes installed apps, preferences, Apple Pay cards, and other locally stored information.

After the reset is complete, the watch behaves much like it did when it was first set up. You can pair it with an iPhone again and, when available, restore information from a previous backup.

However, erasing and unpairing are not exactly the same thing. Erasing directly from the watch removes its data but leaves Activation Lock enabled. Unpairing through the paired iPhone removes both the data and Activation Lock.

Resetting vs. Restarting an Apple Watch

A restart does not delete your data. It simply turns the Apple Watch off and back on, which can fix temporary software issues such as an unresponsive app or minor performance problem.

A factory reset is much more significant because it removes your content and settings. If your watch is simply frozen or behaving strangely, try a normal restart before erasing everything.

If the Apple Watch is completely unresponsive, Apple also provides a force-restart procedure. This involves holding the side button and Digital Crown together until the Apple logo appears, but it should not be confused with a factory reset.

What Is Activation Lock?

Activation Lock is a security feature linked to Find My and your Apple Account. It is designed to make it harder for someone else to use your Apple Watch if it is lost or stolen.

If you erase an Apple Watch directly without first unpairing it, Activation Lock remains active. During setup, the watch may ask for the Apple Account and password that were previously used with it.

This is why anyone selling or giving away an Apple Watch should preferably unpair it through the paired iPhone first. Apple states that this process restores the watch to factory settings while also removing Activation Lock.

How to Reset an Apple Watch Before Selling It

If another person will be using the Apple Watch, do not simply erase it from the watch’s Settings menu. Instead, keep the watch close to the paired iPhone and unpair it through the Apple Watch app.

During the process, remove the cellular plan if applicable and enter your Apple Account password to disable Activation Lock. Once the watch has finished unpairing, it can be turned off and prepared for the new owner.

This avoids the common situation where a buyer receives an erased Apple Watch but cannot activate it because it is still linked to the previous owner’s account.

What if the Apple Watch Won’t Reset?

If the normal reset option is unavailable because you forgot the passcode, use the charger, side button, and Digital Crown method described above. If the watch is frozen, try restarting or force-restarting it before attempting another reset.

If the Watch still does not respond, does not power on, or repeatedly fails during setup, the problem may not be something a factory reset can fix. In that case, Apple’s support or service options may be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions