A reset is often the solution to many issues you may have with your Apple Watch. If your watch is unresponsive, not working correctly, or you just want to start fresh, you can try resetting it. Resetting your watch will erase all your data and settings, from music to apps to your passcode. After completing a reset, you’ll need to set it up as new. Resetting an Apple Watch using your iPhone is a popular option, but you can also reset it without one.
To reset your watch without a phone, keep it charged as you: Power off the watch, then hold down the Digital Crown to show “Erase all content and settings.” Tap reset. This deletes all data, so you’ll set up your watch like it’s new. If Activation Lock is on, the previous owner has to disable it.
The reset process is the same for all models of the Apple Watch regardless of whether you have an original Apple Watch, Series 1, 2, or 3. The only difference is that on some models, you may need to enter your passcode before confirming erasing all content and settings. If you’re having trouble with your Apple Watch, a reset might be just what you need. Let’s look at how to reset your Apple Watch with and without an iPhone.
What Does Resetting an Apple Watch Do?
Resetting your Apple Watch (on Amazon) can be a helpful troubleshooting step if you’re experiencing issues with the device. When you reset your watch, all of your data and settings are erased. This includes your alarm clock settings, saved Wi-Fi networks, and custom watch faces.
After resetting, you’ll need to set up your watch again as if it were new. There are two ways to reset your Apple Watch: from the Settings app or by using the Erase All Content and Settings option in the Watch app on your iPhone.
If you’re having trouble getting your watch to connect to your iPhone or if apps are crashing, you may want to try resetting the connection between the two devices.
To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap the “My Watch” tab. Then, tap General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. The process will forget any Wi-Fi networks you’ve previously connected to and clear out any saved passwords.
Disabling Activation Lock
If you’re using watchOS 2 and higher, you might see the “Activation Lock” message when you try to set up your Apple Watch. This happens if the original owner didn’t disable “Activation Lock” on your watch before you received it.
“Activation Lock” is a security feature that is designed to prevent anyone else from using your Apple Watch if it’s lost or stolen. To set up and use your Apple Watch, you’ll need to get in touch with the previous owner and ask them to disable Activation Lock.
To disable Activation Lock, they’ll need to enter their Apple ID and password on the Watch app on their iPhone. Follow these steps to disable Activation Lock:
- Open the Watch app on iPhone and tap the My Watch tab.
- Navigate to your watch name, tap the info button and click “Unpair Apple Watch.”
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted and tap to confirm.
With your Apple Watch no longer paired to your iPhone, you should be able to set it up again without any issues.
How to Factory Reset Your Apple Watch
You can always factory reset your Apple Watch whether or not the device is connected to your iPhone. But resetting your watch without the iPhone won’t remove Activation Lock, and you won’t be able to restore from a backup. Follow these steps to factory reset your Apple Watch:
- Open the Settings app on your watch.
- Tap General > Reset.
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- Enter the passcode when prompted.
- Tap “Erase All” or “Erase All & Keep Plan” if you want to maintain your cellular plan.
How to Reset Apple Watch Without a Passcode
If you cannot remember your passcode, then you can always reset your Apple Watch using your iPhone. Resetting your watch using your phone will also delete any data stored on the watch itself, including music, apps, and photos. Follow these steps to reset your watch without a passcode.
- Plug the charger into your watch and keep both the watch and charger close together.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap My Watch, then tap General > Reset.
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- If you’ve turned on “Find My iPhone,” you might need to enter your Apple ID and password.
- If your watch model has a Cellular + GPS, choose to keep or remove your mobile plan.
- If you don’t plan on pairing the Apple Watch and iPhone again, you can unpair them.
- Wait for the process to finish, then set up your Apple Watch again.
Alternatively, if you can’t remember your passcode, you may reset your Apple Watch directly by following these steps:
- Put your watch on your charger.
- Press and hold down the side button to Power Off the screen.
- Hold down the Digital Crown to reveal the erase option.
- Tap “Erase all content and settings.”
- Tap “Reset” and confirm.
How Do You Reset an Apple Watch Without an Apple ID and Previous Owner?
If you can’t trace the watch’s previous owner and don’t know their Apple ID or Apple passcode, then you can try resetting the Apple Watch using the last process above. If the previous owner disabled Activation Lock, you are lucky, but if they didn’t, there really isn’t anything you can do.
Several third-party services claim to remove Activation Lock without an Apple ID or password, but we cannot verify the safety or efficacy of these services.