Guide: How to transfer an Apple Watch to a new iPhone or other Watch

Have you bought a new iPhone, or do you want to transfer your Apple Watch to your smartphone at a later time? In this tip, we explain step by step how to do this, without losing your data.

Transfer an Apple Watch without losing data

Whether you have bought a new iPhone or a new Apple Watch: you obviously do not want to lose data when transferring your data. From your apps and custom watch faces to all the activity rings you’ve worked so hard for, follow the steps in this guide to transfer everything safely to another device.

The table of contents below shows you which steps you need to take: are you going to transfer an Apple Watch to a new iPhone, or do you want to transfer Apple Watch data from an Apple Watch to another Watch? This is possible, for example, if you recently purchased an Apple Watch Series 6 or Apple Watch SE.

Transfer an Apple Watch to another iPhone

Apple Watch owners should also consider their smartwatch when setting up a new iPhone. To transfer these in a good way, it works slightly differently than you are used to.

The backup you make of an Apple Watch is automatically saved and part of your iPhone backup. Since your Apple Watch also collects your Activity and Health data, encryption of this backup is mandatory. Therefore, follow the steps in this tip to make sure you don’t lose any data.

Step 1: Update your iPhone and Apple Watch

Before you start transferring your data, it is important to update both your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software. This prevents problems when transferring the functions.

On the iPhone, you do this by going to ‘Settings> General> Software update’ and installing the latest version there. You update the Apple Watch via the Watch app on your iPhone. Open the Watch app, go to ‘General’ and tap ‘Software Update’.

Step 2: Backup via iTunes or iCloud

Now back up the iPhone paired with your Apple Watch. This backup automatically backs up your Apple Watch. You can do this via iTunes or iCloud. In both cases it is important to check whether your Health data is checked.

Back up an iPhone and Apple Watch via iTunes

1. Pair your iPhone with your computer;
2. Open iTunes;
3. Click on the iPhone icon at the top left of the screen;
4. Click on ‘Overview’;
5. Check the box for ‘Encrypt iPhone backup’;
6. Make the backup and follow the steps on the screen.

Back up an iPhone and Apple Watch via iCloud

Depending on the amount of space in your iCloud storage, you can also make a backup via the cloud service. The only requirement is that the iPhone paired with your Apple Watch is running iOS 12 or higher. This backup is automatically encrypted with encryption.

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone that is paired with your Apple Watch;
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen;
3. Choose ‘iCloud’;
4. Make sure the switch behind ‘Health’ is green;
5. Now make the backup and follow the steps on the screen.

Step 3: Set up the iPhone and transfer the Apple Watch backup

Now that you have safely stored all your data, it is time to transfer the Apple Watch to the new iPhone. Here are two situations that require a different approach: a new iPhone that has yet to be set up and an iPhone that has already been set up completely.

Transfer an Apple Watch to a new iPhone

1. Start up the iPhone and follow the steps on the screen;
2. Choose the most recent backup when prompted;
3. The iPhone asks if you want to pair the Apple Watch. Choose ‘Continue’;
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the installation process;
5. Enter the passcode on your Apple Watch;
6. The data will now be transferred. This may take a while;
7. Check the status via the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.

Transfer Apple Watch data to another Apple Watch

Have you bought a new Apple Watch and do you want to transfer this data? Then you can do that via the steps below. These are the same steps that you go through if you transfer an Apple Watch to an iPhone that you have already set up.

Transfer an Apple Watch to an iPhone that has already been set up

1. Open the Watch app on your old iPhone and disconnect the Apple Watch;
2. A backup will now be made automatically, this may take a while;
3. Open the Watch app on your new iPhone;
4. Pair the Apple Watch with the new iPhone via the steps on the screen;
5. Choose to restore the backup you just made;
6. Complete the installation process by following the steps on the screen.

The Apple Watch has now been successfully paired with your new iPhone, and the data has all been preserved. Do you want to know more about transferring all your data from an old iPhone to a newer device? Then we’ll give you a hand in the guide below.

Read more: Bought a new iPhone? This way you transfer all data securely