How to Unpair Your Apple Watch and Disable the Activation Lock SUPPORTrix

Even great tech pieces also need restoration at some point in time — and that includes the Apple Watch. If in case you need to unpair your Apple Watch because you need to pair it with a new iPhone, restore it to its factory settings because you need to troubleshoot it, or you’re planning to hand it over to someone else, this article will guide you on how to do the unpairing properly.

Unpairing Your Apple Watch via the Watch App

STEP 1: On your iPhone, go to the Watch app.

STEP 2: Tap on your active watch at the top of the My Watch screen.

STEP 3: Tap the info button to the right of your current watch.

STEP 4: Select Unpair Apple Watch.

STEP 5: Confirm the process by pressing Unpair [watch name].

STEP 6: If you have cellular service, choose to Keep or Remove your plan.

STEP 7: Disable Activation Lock by entering your Apple ID password, and then pressing Unpair.

NOTE: Your Watch will now start backing up your watch’s latest data to your iPhone. Once it’s complete, it will automatically unpair itself from your current iPhone, delete all active Bluetooth accessory pairings, remove any Apple Pay cards used on Apple Watch, and then wipe the passcode. Finally, your Watch will proceed to restore itself to Apple’s factory settings.

Unpairing Your Apple Watch Directly from the Smartwatch

NOTE: When you unpair your Apple Watch via your iPhone’s Watch app, it automatically syncs and backs up the latest data from your smartwatch before restoring it to factory settings. It’s the best and smartest way to save your most recent data. Unpairing directly from the watch does not create a backup, nor does it automatically disable Activation Lock. (And remember, while Activation Lock is enabled, a new user won’t be able to set up the Apple Watch.) If you absolutely need a current backup, make sure you unpair using the Watch app.

STEP 1: On your Apple Watch, launch the Settings app.

STEP 2: Tap on General.

STEP 3: Select Reset.

STEP 4: Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.

STEP 5: Type in your passcode (if enabled).

STEP 6: Tap on Erase All (or, if you have a cellular plan and would like to keep it, choose Erase All & Keep Plan).

STEP 7: Once the Apple Watch has finished restoring, navigate to iCloud.com from your computer’s web browser to disable the Activation Lock.

STEP 8: Next, sign in using your Apple ID and password.

STEP 9: Select Settings.

STEP 10: Select your Apple Watch under My Devices.

STEP 11: Click the x next to your Apple Watch to remove it.

STEP 12: Select Remove to confirm.