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Set up your Apple Watch

Learn how to set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone.

Before you begin

To use Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), you need an iPhone 6 or later with the latest version of iOS.

(To use Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) or earlier models of Apple Watch, you need an iPhone 5s or later with

the latest version of iOS.)

You also need to complete these steps:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure that Bluetooth is on.

2. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to Wi‑Fi or a cellular network.

If you already set up your Apple Watch but want to use it with a different iPhone, you can

transfer your Apple Watch and its content to your new iPhone.  

 

Turn on your Apple Watch

To turn on your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button

until you see the Apple logo. This may take a few minutes. 

Get help if your Apple Watch won’t turn on or if you're asked

to enter a passcode and forgot it.

1

Put on your Apple Watch

Hold your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.

Wait for the "Use your iPhone to set up this Apple

Watch" message to appear on your iPhone, then

tap Continue. If you don't see this message, open

the Apple Watch app, then tap Start Pairing.

Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together

until you complete these steps. 

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Hold your iPhone over theanimation

Then center the watch face in the viewfinder on

your iPhone. Wait for a message to say that your

Apple Watch is paired.

If you can't use the camera, tap

Pair Apple Watch Manually, then follow the steps

that appear.

3

Set up as new or restore from a backup

Then choose which wrist you want to wear your Apple Watch on. Read the Terms and Conditions

and tap Agree, then tap Agree again to continue.

 

4

Sign in with your Apple ID

If asked, enter your Apple ID password. If you aren’t asked, you can sign in later from the Apple

Watch app: Tap General > Apple ID, then sign in. Certain features that require a cellular phone

number won’t work on Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) unless you sign in to iCloud. 

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If Find My iPhone isn't set up on your iPhone, you'll be asked to turn on Activation Lock. If you see

an Activation Lock screen, your Apple Watch is already linked to an Apple ID. You need to enter

the email address and password for that Apple ID to continue set up. If your Apple Watch was

previously owned, you might need to contact the previous owner to remove Activation Lock. 

 

Choose your settings

You can set up Location Services, Route Tracking, and Siri. If Siri isn’t already set up on your

iPhone, it will turn on after you choose this option.

Then your Apple Watch shows you which settings it shares with your iPhone. If you turned on

Find my iPhone, Location Services, Wi‑Fi Calling, and Diagnostics for your iPhone, these settings

automatically turn on for your Apple Watch.

 

6

Create a passcode

You can skip creating a passcode, but you need

one for features like Apple Pay.

On your iPhone, tap Create a Passcode or Add a

Long Passcode, then switch to your Apple Watch

to enter your new code. To skip, tap

Don't Add Passcode.

You'll also be asked to set up Apple Pay by adding

a card.

7

Choose your settings

We'll walk you through setting up features,

like SOS and Activity. On Apple Watch Series 3

(GPS + Cellular), you can also set up cellular.

Then you can install your apps that are compatible

with Apple Watch.

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Start using your Apple Watch

Learn about gestures that control your Apple Watch and about the apps that you can use. You can also

read the Apple Watch User Guide, customize your watch face, or add or remove apps. 

Get help

To learn what to do next, find your issue below. If you still need help, contact Apple Support.

If your Apple Watch won't turn on

You might need to charge your Apple Watch. 

Wait for your devices to sync

Depending on how much data you have, syncing

might take some time. While you wait for your

watch to sync, try Apple Watch Basics.

Keep your devices close together until you hear a

chime and feel a gentle tap from your Apple

Watch, then press the Digital Crown. 

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Helpful? Yes No

Ask other users about this article

Start a Discussionin Apple Support Communities

If you're asked for a passcode

Your Apple Watch is still paired with another iPhone. If you don't remember the passcode, you need to

erase your Apple Watch, then set it up again. 

If you see an Activation Lock screen

Your Apple Watch is linked to an Apple ID. You need to enter the email address and password for that

Apple ID to continue set up. If your Apple Watch was previously owned, you might need to contact the

previous owner to remove Activation Lock. 

If you can't set up your Apple Watch or you get an error message

1. Make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS.

2. Turn off your iPhone and turn it back on.

3. Turn off your Apple Watch and turn it back on. 

If your Apple Watch disconnects from your iPhone

You can connect your devices again.

Published Date: Oct 23, 2017

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