Pairing needs both devices side by side. Get the phone on the latest iOS with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switched on, power the watch up, then bring the two together and tap Continue when the prompt shows. Frame the watch in the viewfinder on screen, and the rest of setup takes over from there.
Before you start pairing your watch
Check these first, from Apple's pairing and setup guide. Most of them sit on the iPhone side, and Apple puts them under before you begin, so sort them out before the watch is even switched on:
- Your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS, via Settings, General, Software Update.
- Bluetooth is turned on.
- The iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular.
- The watch has enough charge to turn on. If it won't power up, the battery may need charging.
- Your Apple Account details are to hand, because setup asks you to sign in.
A cellular watch brings one extra check. Your iPhone and watch must use the same carrier, unless you're setting the watch up for someone in your Family Sharing group. Cellular isn't available in all countries or regions either, so it's worth confirming that before you rely on it.
Pairing the watch with your iPhone, step by step
- Turn the watch on with a long press of the side button.
- Let go once the Apple logo appears.
- Hold your iPhone near the watch and wait for the pairing screen to appear on the phone.
- Tap Continue. If no screen pops up, launch the Apple Watch app yourself and tap Start Pairing.
- Tap Set Up for Myself.
- Position your iPhone so the watch appears in the viewfinder in the Apple Watch app. This is what pairs the two devices.
- Tap Set Up Apple Watch if it's your first one, or use the 'Make This Your New Apple Watch' screen to restore a backup or set up as new.
- Sign in to your Apple Account.
- Create a passcode, either four digits or a six-digit long passcode.
- On a cellular model, activate cellular service if you want it.
- Keep both devices close while they sync.
What you'll see once the sync finishes
When syncing is complete, the watch shows its watch face. That's your sign setup has finished and you can put the phone down. Until it appears, keep the two together.
Want a different look once setup's done? There's a separate walkthrough for switching the face on your watch.
Two snags that stop a watch pairing
First snag: if a watch face appears while you're trying to pair, that watch is already paired with an iPhone. It won't pair again until you erase all its content and reset its settings. That's worth checking on any watch that's been used before, and this guide on resetting an Apple Watch walks through it. There's also a separate guide on how to unpair an Apple Watch.
The second snag is the camera. If pointing the iPhone at the watch doesn't start anything, look at the bottom of the iPhone screen and tap Pair Apple Watch Manually. That lets you carry on without the viewfinder.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to pair an Apple Watch?
Not strictly. A cellular connection on the phone does the job too, as long as Bluetooth is also on.
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Can I restore my old watch's settings onto a new one?
Yes, from a backup, when the iPhone has set up a watch before.
How long should the watch passcode be?
You pick either a four-digit passcode or a six-digit long passcode during setup.
Can my watch use a different carrier from my iPhone?
Only for a Family Sharing member's watch; otherwise they must match.
Why won't my watch switch on for setup?
A flat battery may be the reason, so charge it first.
Can I pair without the camera?
Yes. Tap Pair Apple Watch Manually.
