How to link your Apple Watch to a new iPhone: Complete Guide

If you have just published a new iPhone and have an Apple Watch, you are surely wondering how you can connect both devices without losing your data, your training or your personalized adjustments. It is a very common doubt among Apple users, especially if the old iPhone is no longer available or if you do not know where to start.

In this article, we give you a Step by step guide to link your Apple Watch with a new iPhone. We will show you all possible situations: if you have access to the old iPhone, if you do not have it, if it has been restored from backup or if you define everything from zero. A final guide designed so that you fully enjoy your watch in the first minute.

Previous requirements before binding the devices

Before you start, you must take into account certain fundamental aspects to facilitate the process and ensure correct data migration.

• Make sure the iPhone and Apple Watch are updated to the latest version of iOS and Watchos available.
• Both devices must be loaded At least 50% and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
• Have your Apple identifier and password. You will need it to deactivate the activation block if necessary.
• If you have the Apple Watch code, better. You will need it during the process.

How to link your Apple Watch if you have the old iPhone

If your old iPhone is preserved, you are lucky. The process will be much simpler and more fluid, and you can Keep most of your previous data and configurations Without complications.

Step 1: Make a backup of the old iPhone

El Apple Watch Save your backup in the iPhoneIt is therefore essential to make sure you make an updated copy of the previous device. You can do it in two ways:

• Using iCloud: Access Settings >> iCloud> Copy in iCloud and click “Copy now”.
• Use of a computer: Connect the iPhone to the computer and create a encrypted backup from iTunes (previous Windows / MacOS) or Finder (Catalina or posterior macos).

Step 2: Configure the new iPhone

When you start your new iPhone, follow the initial steps and, on the “app and data” screen, select the option for Restore from iCloud or computer backupAs you did.

It is recommended that this copy is as recent as possible for Apple Watch data to be updated to the maximum.

Step 3: Link the Apple Watch to the new iPhone

Once the new iPhone is restored, the Apple Watch should detect it automatically and ask you if you want to connect it. If this does not happen, you can do it manually:

1. Open the application Watch On your new iPhone.
2. Wait for Apple Watch detect or select “Link New Watch”.
3. Enter the Apple Watch code if required.
4. When asked, select Back up clock or define it as new if you prefer.

If you do not see the backup of the clock, make sure that the iPhone and Apple Watch are updated. Sometimes old versions prevent the copies available. If you must restore a backup on your Apple Watch, we recommend that you browse this other guide article entitled How to Restore a Backup in your Apple Watch.

Step 4: Final configuration

Follow the on -huge instructions to complete the configuration. Health and activity data They will be automatically synchronized if you use iCloud with iOS 11 or superior versions. Just make sure you have the option activated from settings >> iCloud> Health.

What to do if you don't have the old iPhone

You don't have the previous mobile? Don't worry! Although the situation is a little more complicated, it is always possible to recover part of your information and link your Apple Watch to the new iPhone.

Option 1: Apple Watch is linked but without finishing

If you have restored the new iPhone from the copy of the previous one but the link with the clock has not finished correctly, you can finish it:

1. Open the Watch application on the new iPhone.
2. Access the tab My watch And touch “all watches”.
3. You will see one with the message “not finished”. The touch.
4. Put the clock and keep it unlocked. Then select “Complete the link”.

Option 2: Delete Apple Watch and start at zero

If there is no way to recover the previous information, you can start the process from zero. To do this:

1. In the Apple Watch, keep the side button and the digital crown until it restarts.
2. When you restart, press the screen or hold the digital crown.
3. Touch “Restore».
4. After erasing, configure the clock by approaching the new iPhone and Follow the on-screen instructions.

Keep in mind that if there is no support or access to the previous mobile, You will lose the stored activity of health and activity In the Apple Watch which were not synchronized with iCloud. Make sure how to activate the Apple Watch activation block before continuing.

Special case: What if you have already restored your new iPhone without the Apple Watch?

If you already use your new iPhone for days or weeks without restoring the Apple Watch, you have two options according to your priorities:

• If you don't mind deleting the content of the new iPhone: Bórralo, restores the copy of the old, then connects the clock after the process that we have already explained.
• If you prefer not to lose the current content of the new iPhoneYou can start the process manually from the Watch application, binding as if it were a new watch. Of course, you will lose the previous configurations of the clock.

What happens to health and activity data?

It depends a lot on how you have done the backup:

• If you have used iCloud and you have 11 or moreHealth and activity data is automatically recorded in iCloud. Just connect to Apple ID and be connected to Wi-Fi.
• If you have made an encrypted copy on your computerThese data will be maintained. Eye: Only encrypted copies keep this information.
• If you do not have a copy or if the old iPhone is no longer available, Unfortunately, these data cannot be recovered.

To increase your information on this process and this functionality, we have this: if you want to ensure the synchronization of your health data, you can consult this article entitled How to Save Your Health and Activity Data to restore them on a new iPhone

To avoid future problems, it is always advisable to have activated health support in iCloud or to create periodically encrypted copies. If you want to know more about how to change the name of your Apple Watch, we also have this other guide called How to Change the name of your Apple Watch.

With all these covered steps, you can enjoy your fully functional Apple Watch next to your new iPhone. Follow these recommendations to avoid frequent errors And do not lose any of your important configurations or data.