This way you can pair your Apple Watch with a new iPhone

Pair Apple Watch with new iPhone

Have you bought a new iPhone and an Apple Watch on your wrist? Then you will have to pair the Apple Watch with the new iPhone. This is slightly different than pairing a new Apple Watch, especially if you want to keep all your data. In this tip we explain how this works.

• Make a backup
• Pair with new iPhone
• Alternative way

In a separate tip we explain how to use a new Apple Watch with your current iPhone. This is intended for when you set up an Apple Watch for the first time.

If you want to keep all your data on the Apple Watch, it is important that you have the old iPhone – to which the Watch is still paired – at hand. In the step-by-step plan below we explain how this works in a few steps. Your new iPhone may not yet be configured. This way you won’t lose the data on your Watch.

If you have already set up your new iPhone, follow the steps in the alternative method.

Step 1: Make a backup

Making a backup is very easy:

1. Back up your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes. If you use iCloud, check whether iCloud synchronization for Health is turned on via Settings > your name > iCloud > Health. iTunes requires you to encrypt your backup for health data.
2. Set up your new iPhone. Restore the iPhone backup when prompted. This is easiest via an iCloud backup.

As soon as you transfer the backup from the old iPhone to a new one, the data from your Apple Watch is automatically included. If you do not use iCloud but iTunes to transfer the data, do not forget to encrypt the backup. This means that your Health and Fitness data will also be saved.

Step 2: Pair the Apple Watch with the new iPhone

You should now be in the middle of the setup process for your new iPhone. Now follow the simple steps below to pair the two devices together.

1. During setup, the new iPhone asks whether you want to use the Apple Watch. Tap Continue and follow the steps.
2. Enter the passcode on the Apple Watch. The transfer will now begin.
3. Open the Watch app on your iPhone to view the transfer progress.
4. After a few minutes, your Apple Watch will be paired with your new iPhone.

Alternative way: new iPhone already in use

If you already have your new iPhone in use and would now like to transfer your Apple Watch to your new iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Watch app on the old iPhone (where your Apple Watch is still paired) and tap All Apple Watches.
2. The next window shows the paired Apple Watch. Tap the i icon, followed by Disconnect Apple Watch.

3. During this disconnection, a backup of the Apple Watch is automatically created, including all apps previously installed on it.
4. Open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone.
5. Connect the Apple Watch to your new iPhone.
6. On your Apple Watch, choose the language you want to use and then tap Start Link.
7. Restore a backup when prompted. If you do not have this, you must set up the Apple Watch as new. You will not lose your Health and Activity data, provided you sync the health data with iCloud.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete pairing.

Need more help connecting your Apple Watch to an iPhone? Then take a look at our Apple Watch getting started guide where we explain this process step by step.