Connect your iPhone and Apple Watch before you use either one
Your new Apple Watch will not work until you pair it with an iPhone. The pairing process links the two devices so they can share data, notifications, and settings. You need to do this setup on the day you first turn on the watch — the watch will prompt you to start pairing as soon as it powers on.
The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need both devices, a Wi-Fi network, and your Apple ID password. If you are setting up a cellular Apple Watch (one with LTE), you will also need to contact your phone carrier after pairing to activate the cellular service, but that is a separate step.
Key Takeaways
- Start pairing on the day you first turn on the watch — do not turn it on and wait, because the initial setup prompt will not return.
- Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch within a few feet of each other during the entire pairing process.
- You must use the same Apple ID on both devices, and you need the password to complete setup.
- After pairing finishes, the watch will download apps and settings from your iPhone, which can take 30 minutes or longer depending on how many apps you have.
- If pairing fails, force restart both devices and try again — this fixes most connection problems.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin: your new Apple Watch, your iPhone, and the Apple Watch charger that came in the box. You will also need your Apple ID and the password you use to sign in to your Apple account. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it on Apple's website before you start, which saves time during setup.
Make sure your iPhone is running the current version of iOS. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update to check. If an update is available, install it before you pair the watch. Your iPhone and watch also need to be on the same Wi-Fi network during pairing, so make sure you know your Wi-Fi password.
Charge your Apple Watch to at least 10 percent battery before you start. The watch may have some charge from the factory, but plugging it in for a few minutes before setup prevents it from shutting down mid-pairing.
The pairing process step by step
1. Turn on your Apple Watch. Press and hold the side button (the one below the digital crown) until you see the Apple logo. The watch will take about 30 seconds to start up. You will see "Hello" in multiple languages, then a screen that says "Start Pairing" with an icon of an iPhone and watch.
2. Open the Watch app on your iPhone. The Watch app is the one with a picture of an Apple Watch on it. If you do not see it on your home screen, swipe left to open the app library, then search for "Watch". Tap "Start Pairing" in the Watch app. Your iPhone will ask for permission to use your camera — tap "Allow".
3. Point your iPhone camera at the watch screen. Hold your iPhone about 6 inches away from the watch face. Your iPhone will scan the animation on the watch screen automatically. You do not need to tap anything — just keep the watch in view until your iPhone says "Pairing in progress".
4. Sign in with your Apple ID. When the iPhone asks for your Apple ID, type it in and enter your password. This is the same Apple ID you use for the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you will need to approve the sign-in on another device or enter a code sent to your phone number.
5. Choose your watch settings. The iPhone will ask whether you want to set up the watch as a new device or restore from a backup. If this is your first Apple Watch, choose "Set Up as New Apple Watch". If you owned an Apple Watch before and saved a backup, you can restore your old settings and apps, but this takes longer.
6. Wait for the download to finish. After you choose your setup method, the watch will download your apps, settings, and data from your iPhone. This step can take 30 minutes or longer if you have many apps installed. Leave both devices near each other and plugged in. Do not force restart either device or disconnect them during this time.
What happens if pairing fails
If the pairing process stops or shows an error, the most common fix is to restart both devices. On your iPhone, press and hold the power button and either volume button until the "slide to power off" screen appears, then slide to turn it off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
On your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until you see "Power Off" on the screen, then slide to turn it off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. Once both devices are on, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap "Start Pairing" again.
If you see an error message about Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your iPhone's Settings. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is green. Also check that your Wi-Fi is working — the watch needs both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to pair successfully.
If pairing still fails after restarting, unpair the devices and try again. In the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the My Watch tab, tap the watch name at the top, tap the info icon, then tap "Unpair Apple Watch". This erases the watch, so you will set it up from scratch, but it often fixes stubborn pairing problems.
After pairing is complete
Once pairing finishes, your Apple Watch is ready to use. You will see a confirmation screen on both devices. The watch will show your watch face, and the iPhone will show a summary of what was set up. At this point, you can start using the watch to check the time, see notifications, and use apps.
The watch will continue downloading apps in the background for the next few hours. You may notice the watch getting warm or the battery draining faster than usual during this time — this is normal. Let it finish downloading before you judge battery life or app performance.
If you have a cellular Apple Watch, you still need to contact your carrier to activate the cellular service. The pairing process only connects the watch to your iPhone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Cellular activation is a separate step that your carrier handles, and it can take a few hours to take effect after you request it.
Troubleshooting common pairing problems
The watch screen stays black after I turn it on. The watch may need to charge longer. Plug it in for at least 15 minutes, then try turning it on again by pressing and holding the side button.
The iPhone camera will not scan the watch screen. Make sure you are holding the iPhone steady about 6 inches away from the watch. If the watch screen is very bright or very dim, the camera may have trouble reading it. Try adjusting the brightness or moving to a different lighting condition.
The pairing process asks for a code I do not have. If you have two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, check your other Apple devices or the phone number associated with your account for a code. You can also use your Apple ID password instead of a code in most cases.
The watch says "Unable to Pair" after I sign in. This usually means your iPhone and watch lost their Bluetooth connection. Make sure both devices are within a few feet of each other, then restart both and try again.
Connecting a second iPhone to the same Apple Watch
An Apple Watch can only be paired with one iPhone at a time. If you want to pair it with a different iPhone, you must unpair it from the first iPhone first. In the Watch app on the original iPhone, go to My Watch, tap the watch name, tap the info icon, then tap "Unpair Apple Watch".
After unpairing, the watch will erase and restart. Then follow the pairing steps above with the new iPhone. The process is the same as the initial setup. You can switch which iPhone the watch is paired with whenever you need to, but you cannot use the watch with two iPhones at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair my Apple Watch without an Apple ID?
No. An Apple ID is required to pair any Apple Watch with an iPhone. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free on Apple's website or during the pairing process itself. You will need an email address and a password.
What if my iPhone and Apple Watch are not the same generation?
Most iPhone and Apple Watch combinations work together. Older iPhones may not support the newest Apple Watches, and older Apple Watches may not support the newest iPhones. Check Apple's website to confirm your specific models are compatible before you start pairing.
Do I need cellular service on my iPhone to pair a cellular Apple Watch?
No. You can pair a cellular Apple Watch to any iPhone. However, to actually use the cellular features on the watch, you will need to contact your carrier and add a cellular plan for the watch. This is optional — the watch works fine with just Bluetooth and Wi-Fi even if you do not activate cellular.
How long does the download take after pairing?
The initial download usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many apps you have and your Wi-Fi speed. Some apps may continue downloading in the background for several hours after that. You can use the watch while apps are downloading, but performance may be slower.
What if I see a message about updating the watch during pairing?
If the watch needs a software update, the pairing process will pause and download the update automatically. This can add 15 to 30 minutes to the total setup time. Keep both devices plugged in and near each other while the update installs. Do not interrupt the process.