How to Factory Reset an Apple Watch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

You may need to factory reset your Apple watch as part of a troubleshooting step or if you decide to give it away or sell it. This guide will take you through steps to help get your Apple watch back to the way it was when it first came out of the box.

Performing a factory reset on your Apple watch erases everything from it. Be sure you have all appropriate data that you do not wish to lose backed up before proceeding further.

2. Factory Reset from iPhone

Depending on which version of Apple's iOS your device is running, what you see on your screen may differ slightly from these photos. However, the steps outlined in this process should be no different.

1. Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
   

1. Tap your active watch at the top of the My Watch screen.
   

1. Tap the info button to the right of your current watch.
   

1. Select Unpair Apple Watch.
   

1. Confirm the process by pressing Unpair [watch name].
   

1. If you have cellular service, choose to Keep or Remove your plan.
   

1. Disable Activation Lock by entering your Apple ID password and pressing Unpair.
   

1. Your watch will now begin the factory reset process.
   

It'll take a few moments for your Apple Watch to complete the factory reset process. Once finished, your Apple Watch will have been completely reset to factory default settings.

3. Factory Reset from Watch

Depending on which version of the Apple WatchOS your device is running, what you see on your watch may differ slightly from these photos. However, the steps outlined in this process should be no different.

1. Launch the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
   

1. Tap on the General setting.
   

1. Select Reset.
   

1. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
   

1. Type in your passcode (if prompted).
   

1. Scroll or swipe to the bottom of the on-screen message and select Erase All (or, if you have a cellular plan and wish to keep it, Erase All & Keep Plan).
   

1. Your watch will now begin the factory reset process.

It'll take a few moments for your Apple Watch to complete the factory reset process. Once finished, your Apple Watch will have been completely reset to factory default settings.

4. Introduction

When you factory reset your Apple watch from the watch itself, the watch does not create a backup of it's information beforehand, nor does it automatically disable Activation Lock. With Activation Lock enabled, a new user won't be able to set up the Apple watch until it is disabled.

Disabling activation lock is absolutely necessary if you are giving away or selling your Apple watch, as a new user cannot use it until activation lock has been disabled.

If your Apple watch was factory reset using your iPhone's Watch app, disabling activation lock is not necessary. Activation lock is automatically disabled when factory resetting from the iPhone's Watch app.

5. Disable Activation Lock

1. Navigate to iCloud.com from your computer's web browser to disable Activation Lock.
   

1. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
   

1. Click on Settings.
   

1. Select your Apple Watch under My Devices.
   

1. Click on the X next to your Apple Watch to remove it.
   

1. Click Remove to confirm.
   

Because your Apple watch has already been factory reset, there is no need to worry about the warning when selecting "Remove." Your Apple watch is now no longer associated with your iCloud account and can be setup by a new user/owner without any issues.