Set up and pair your Apple Watch with iPhone (2024)

• Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap General, then tap Software Update.

• Make sure that your iPhone has Bluetooth turned on, and it’s connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. To check, swipe down from the top-right corner of the iPhone screen to show ControlCenter. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (or Cellular) buttons should be on.

1. Put your AppleWatch on your wrist. Adjust the band or choose a band size so your AppleWatch fits closely but comfortably.

   See Also

   How to set up an Apple Watch

   For information about changing the band on your AppleWatch, see Remove, change, and fasten Apple Watch bands.

2. To turn on your AppleWatch, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

   If your AppleWatch doesn’t turn on, you might need to charge the battery.

3. Hold your iPhone near your AppleWatch, wait for the AppleWatch pairing screen to appear on your iPhone, then tap Continue.

   You can also open the AppleWatch app on your iPhone, then tap Pair New Watch.

   

4. Tap Set Up for Myself.

5. When prompted, position your iPhone so that your AppleWatch appears in the viewfinder in the AppleWatch app. This pairs the two devices.

1. If this is your first AppleWatch, tap Set Up AppleWatch, then follow the instructions on your iPhone and AppleWatch to finish setup.

   If you’ve set up another Apple Watch with your current iPhone, a screen appears that says Make This Your New Apple Watch. Tap Apps & Data and Settings to see how Express Setup will configure your new watch. Then tap Continue. If you want to choose how your new watch is set up, tap Customize Settings. Then choose a backup from another previous Apple Watch to restore. Or tap Set Up as New Apple Watch if you want to fully customize your new device's settings.

2. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up the following:

   • Enter your AppleID and password.

   • Create a passcode—either a standard four-digit passcode, or a long passcode, which requires six digits.

   • Customize settings for text size, optionally enter personal information such as date of birth and height that are used for fitness and health, and choose the health notifications you want to receive.

   You can change these settings after you’ve set up your AppleWatch.

If you have an AppleWatch with cellular, you can activate cellular service during setup. If you don’t wish to, you can activate it later in the AppleWatch app on your iPhone. See Set up and use cellular service on AppleWatch.

Your iPhone and AppleWatch must use the same cellular carrier. However, if you set up an Apple Watch for someone in your Family Sharing group, that watch can use a cellular carrier different from the one used on the iPhone you manage it with.

Note: Cellular service not available in all regions.

Your Apple Watch shows the watch face when the pairing procedure is finished and your watch is ready to use.

To learn more about your AppleWatch while it’s syncing, tap Get to Know Your Watch. You can learn what’s new, view AppleWatch tips, and read this user guide, right on your iPhone. After your AppleWatch is set up, you can find this information by opening the AppleWatch app on your iPhone, then tapping Discover.

• If you see a watch face when you’re trying to pair: Your AppleWatch is already paired with an iPhone. You need to first erase all AppleWatch content and reset settings.

• If the camera doesn’t start the pairing process: Tap Pair AppleWatch Manually at the bottom of the iPhone screen, and follow the onscreen instructions.

• If AppleWatch isn’t pairing with iPhone: See the Apple Support article If your Apple Watch isn’t connected or paired with your iPhone.