This might surprise people who know my history with Apple products, but I’ve always been a bit anxious about setting up anew iPhone. Over time smartphones have become the core of my digital existence, so there’s always a lot of baggage involved in a smooth transition, including of course any smartwatch I’m using. In fact, myApple Watchis almost as vital as my iPhone – my main hobby is weightlifting, so it’s how I gauge my performance and control mygym soundtrack.
It’s easiest to port an Apple Watch if you still have your old iPhone, but there are still options available to you if you don’t. I’ll explain both angles below.
The tech I use to supercharge my weightlifting
You don’t need any apps or gadgets to lift heavy, but they can certainly help.
How to transfer an Apple Watch if you still have your old iPhone
Nothing too complicated
This is the scenario most people will find themselves in, assuming they’re not new to iPhones, or their previous one isn’t missing in action. Follow this checklist:
How to transfer an Apple Watch if you don’t have your old iPhone
It’s more complicated, but doable
These instructions will apply not just if you’ve already traded in your old iPhone, but if it’s lost, stolen, broken, or wiped clean.
How to configure your Apple Watch Ultra’s Action button in watchOS 11
No more rooting through the Settings app.
What happens if I pair my Apple Watch as new?
This is a hassle more than anything
If you wipe your Apple Watch to pair with a new iPhone, you’ll have to reconfigure all of its settings, including choosing which apps you want installed. I’d also strongly recommend tweakingNotificationsin the Watch app – allowing alerts for every app can quickly become distracting, or even rude, depending on whether sounds are on.
It could end up being a while before your Apple Watch starts feeling familiar again.
You’ll also have to resync any offline music and podcasts from services likeApple MusicorSpotify. Apple Health and Fitness data will initially be missing, but if you previously turned on Health sync in iCloud, it should return.
Lastly, you’ll need to re-download any non-default watchfaces you were using from the Watch app’sFace Gallery. You’ll then have change their colors and complications, so it could end up being a while before your Apple Watch starts feeling familiar again.
