If your Apple Watch isn't pairing, you'll see a red iPhone icon or red X on your watch face.
Moving your devices closer together or restarting them can resolve your issue.
If all else fails, reset your Apple Watch and try re-pairing it to your iPhone.
Advertisem*nt
When your Apple Watch isn't paired to your iPhone, the number of features it has decreases dramatically.
Sure, you can still record a workout and check the time, but you won't get any notifications, messages, or calls on your watch.
The good news is that — in most cases — Apple Watch pairing issues can be fixed in a matter of minutes. Just follow the steps outlined below to reconnect your devices.
Advertisem*nt
1. Move your iPhone closer to your Apple Watch
There's a chance your phone is simply too far away from your Apple Watch, or that it's in a bag or drawer that is blocking a clear signal.
Because the watch and phone pair via Bluetooth, proximity is key. So, get them closer together and see if that alleviates the issue.
If your phone has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned off — or if either of your devices are in Airplane Mode — they won't be able to pair. Make sure all settings are set properly to facilitate the connection.
On the iPhone, you can quickly check this in the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen and ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on (the icons will be blue) and Airplane Mode is off (the icon will be gray). On the Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center.
Advertisem*nt
3. Turn your devices off and on again
There's no doubt that you've heard this tech troubleshooting tip before, but it's a popular one for a reason.
To turn off your iPhone, hold down the side lock button and volume up buttons until the slide to power off toggle appears. Slide the power button to turn the phone off. Hold the side button until the Apple logo appears to turn the phone back on.
You can shut down your Apple Watch by holding down the side button (not the crown) and then swiping the power off slider. Press and hold the side button to turn the watch back on.
Advertisem*nt
4. Reset your Apple Watch
If you've followed all of the previous steps and you're still having issues, it's time to reset that watch. This fix should resolve the pairing issue, but it will wipe saved data off the watch, so you should back it up before doing so.
In the watch's Settings app, choose General, then Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings.
Advertisem*nt
5. Unpair your iPhone and Apple Watch, then pair them again
In the Watch app on your iPhone, tap All Watches, the information button next to your Apple Watch, then Unpair Apple Watch.
Now everything should be just like new, and you'll be able to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone.
Steven John
Freelance Writer
Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a contributing writer for Insider based in New York. She loves a good glazed donut and nerdy deep dives into the science of food and how it's made.
Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.
When your iPhone is off or out of range, your Apple Watch can use a Wi-Fi network to send and receive data. Your watch can also connect to a cellular network if it's a cellular model. And if you've set up an Apple Watch for a family member, they can use a cellular or Wi-Fi connection with their watch.
When your iPhone is off or out of range, your Apple Watch can use a Wi-Fi network to send and receive data. Your watch can also connect to a cellular network if it's a cellular model. And if you've set up an Apple Watch for a family member, they can use a cellular or Wi-Fi connection with their watch.
If your Apple Watch doesn't turn on, you might need to charge the battery. Hold your iPhone near your Apple Watch, wait for the Apple Watch pairing screen to appear on your iPhone, then tap Continue. You can also open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap Pair New Watch. Tap Set Up for Myself.
If your Apple Watch fails to start up or won't turn on, you can force-restart it by holding the side and Digital Crown buttons down together for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. This also works to reboot your watch in the event that an app is hung or it's otherwise become unresponsive.
If it seems like the pairing process has stalled — for example, the pairing animation remains on the screen for several minutes — resetting your Apple Watch might help: Press and hold the Digital Crown while your Apple Watch is in pairing mode. Tap Reset when it appears on your watch.
After your watch restarts, firmly press the screen or press and hold the Digital Crown. Tap Reset. After your watch resets, you can pair it with your iPhone. Bring your iPhone near your watch, then follow the on-screen instructions.
You can set up and manage Apple Watch for someone who doesn't have their own iPhone—your school-aged child or parent, for example. To do so, you must be the family organizer or parent/guardian in your Family Sharing group.
Is my Apple Watch waterproof? Your Apple Watch is water resistant, but not waterproof. For example, you can wear and use your Apple Watch during activities such as exercise (exposure to sweat is OK), walking in rain, and washing your hands.
If you can't turn off your Apple Watch or if the problem continues, you may need to force your Apple Watch to restart. Do this only if you're unable to restart your Apple Watch. To force restart, hold down the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
See the Apple Support article If your Apple Watch won't charge or it won't turn on. at the top right, then slide the Power Off slider to the right. When your Apple Watch is turned off, you can press and hold the Digital Crown to see the time.
Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown until the screen turns black and the Apple logo reappears, then release both buttons. Your watch might take a few moments to restart.
So how long does an Apple Watch last and are Apple Watches worth buying? There will always be exceptions, but on balance, based on the experience of our own reviewers and the comments we've seen from users online, I would say that an Apple Watch provide five to six years of good performance.
If you can't turn off your Apple Watch or if the problem continues, you may need to force your Apple Watch to restart. Do this only if you're unable to restart your Apple Watch. To force restart, hold down the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697
Phone: +2424755286529
Job: District Education Designer
Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling
Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
