How to Unpair Apple Watch without an iPhone

Sometimes you need to unpair your Apple Watch, like when you buy a new one or want to give your old one away. You might also receive a Watch that's still paired to another phone. If you can't access the iPhone it was paired with—maybe it's lost, sold, or broken—there are still ways to unpair it.

This article explains simple methods to unpair an Apple Watch without the original iPhone, tailored to different scenarios. You'll also find tips for unique situations that might complicate the unpairing process.

3 Easy Ways to Unpair Apple Watch without Phone

Below are the three main methods to unpair your Apple Watch without the original iPhone. Each method is best suited for unique situations.

Features	1. iCloud Find Devices	2. Find My App	3. Manually Reset
Needs iCloud Login
Works with Passcode
Removes Activation Lock
Requires Internet

1Using iCloud Find Devices

This is the most direct approach because all Apple devices can be accessed via iCloud. This method removes the Activation Lock from your Watch. When you have access to the Apple ID and password of the iPhone, you can use this method.

You can then open the iCloud on a computer or browser. However, your Watch needs to be online through a connection to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

1.  Open the web browser on your device.
2.  Enter www.icloud.com/find into the URL box.
3.  Log in with the Apple ID of the iPhone.
4.  Click on Find iPhone from the screen.
5.  Select All Devices at the top of the screen.
6.  Click on Apple Watch from the list.
7.  Select “Erase Apple Watch” to reset it.
8.  Click on “Remove from Account” after the erase is complete to fully unpair it.
   

2Via Find My App

Another method is accessing the iPhone through the Find My app. It allows you to remove the Apple Watch remotely, effectively disabling the Activation Lock. However, this approach only applies when you have another Apple device like an iPad or a Mac logged into the same Apple ID with iPhone.

Also, the device you are using to access the iPhone must be signed into iCloud. If not, you need the Apple ID password of the iPhone. While the method is fast and works well for lost or sold devices, the Apple Watch must still be online.

1. Open the Find My app on your device.
2. Log in with the Apple ID of the iPhone.
3. Click on the Devices tab.
4. Select your Apple Watch.
5. Click on “Erase This Device.”
6. Select “Remove This Device” once erasing is done.
7. Confirm by tapping “Remove from Account” > “Remove.”
   

3 Manually Resetting the Apple Watch

The last solution is to reset the Apple Watch directly. You can reset it from Settings if you know the passcode. If you forgot the passcode, you can use a hard reset. While this process resets the Watch, it does not remove its Activation Lock. That removal still has to be done through iCloud.

Steps from Settings (when you know the password)

1.  Open the Settings app on your Watch.
2.  Click on the General settings.
3.  Navigate to Reset, then select Erase All Content and Settings.
4.  Enter your passcode and confirm the reset.

Steps for Forgotten Password (Force Reset)

1.  Put your Watch on the charger.
2.  Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off screen.
3.  Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see Erase all content and settings.
4.  Click on Reset.

Tips for Special Cases When Unpairing Apple Watch

This section discusses unique user situations that may hinder the unpairing process.

GPS + Cellular Model: If you have a cellular-only model, do not remove the Watch from your plan before unpairing it. After unpairing it, you can contact your carrier to cancel the Watch’s cellular service. But with a GPS + Cellular model, you can cancel its cellular service and rely on an iPhone for its internet-based functions.

Sold or Transferred Devices: If you gave your Apple Watch to someone else and forgot to unpair it, use iCloud or the Find My app to erase and remove it from your account. The new user will not be able to use it for personal purposes unless Activation Lock is removed.

Old Watch Systems: If your Watch runs on an older system, the steps are slightly different from what has been discussed. For instance, to reset the Apple Watch, you can check directly under the General for Reset icon.

Watch managed by a company or school: If your Apple Watch was given by your company or school, it may have a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile. In this case, only the IT admin can remove the Watch from the system. Hence, you have to contact them in case you want to transfer the device.

Forgot Apple ID or Password: You cannot remove Activation Lock without the Apple ID and password. If you forgot them, open Apple’s account recovery page using iforgot.apple.com. You may also need proof of purchase if you contact Apple Support for help. The alternative is using a device that has been used to log in to the iCloud account linked to the iPhone.

Offline Watch: If your Watch is offline, you can still erase the device in Find My, but it will only take effect when it connects to the internet. Hence, you need to connect the device to the internet via a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

Data Backup First: If you are switching your Watch, you can back it up by backing up your paired iPhone. That way, your data can be backed up before you erase it. When the devices are unpaired you can still access the data of your Watch.

What Happens If You Unpair the Apple Watch without the Original iPhone

This section will help you better understand what happens when you unpair the Apple Watch by reviewing some of the processes.

Activation Lock vs. Unpairing: The Activation Lock is only fully released after removing the device from the paired iCloud account. This process will ensure the new iPhone can successfully recognize and pair with the Watch afterward. Even if you reset the Apple Watch, Activation Lock stays active. This means someone else cannot pair it with a new iPhone unless you remove it properly. A proper unpair process through either the iPhone Watch app or iCloud.com ensures the Watch is both erased and removed from your Apple ID.

Data Backup: Apple Watch data is usually backed up to the iPhone. Hence, you will not be able to back up your Apple Watch data without the paired iPhone. If not, you can lose messages, app data, and settings that have not been synced to iCloud.

Health and Fitness Data: All your data including those of your health and fitness may be lost if not previously synced to your iCloud account. That way, you must ensure iCloud Health is turned on before doing anything and your data is consistently backed up.

Moving to a New iPhone: You will be able to restore some data when pairing with a new iPhone. Depending on how recent your backup is, you will be able to restore some data. When setting up the new phone, log in with the same Apple ID, then try pairing the Watch.

If you will not pair it with an iPhone anymore, what you can do with the Apple Watch? If you do not pair it with an iPhone anymore, you have very limited options. You can still use some features like time, alarm, and viewing offline workouts. However, most apps and features will not work without pairing. Also, you need to pair it to an iPhone for updating the Watch and maintaining full functionality.

Last Remarks

Unpairing an Apple Watch without an iPhone may sound hard, but it is simple when you follow the right approach. To unpair your Watch you have to ensure that it is both erased and removed from your Apple ID. Hence, you have to remove the Activation Lock if you want to sell or give away the Watch.

Whether you use iCloud, the Find My app, or reset the Watch manually, each option can be very helpful depending on your situation. However, try to back up your data before unpairing it to avoid losing important information.