The correct process to transfer Apple Watch to a new user is that you must remove the Activation Lock. This will enable you to successfully unpair it from your iPhone via the Watch app and enable the next user to successfully pair it with their iPhone.
Transferring Apple Watch to a new user is not as simple as transferring an Android smartphone to a new user. That’s because despite un-pairing it from your iPhone and resetting it, the next user won’t be able to use it if you did not remove the Activation Lock.
Therefore, before you transfer Apple Watch to a new user make sure you remove the Activation Lock, delete all the data, and then un-pair it from your iPhone.
In other words, transferring Apple Watch is the same as switching your Apple Watch to a new iPhone. If you do not know how to transfer Apple Watch to a new user learn more step-by-step process we have prepared for you.
How to Transfer Apple Watch to a New User? (Step By Step Process)
Ready to transfer Apple Watch to a new user? Learn how to do it from the step-by-step process below:
Step 1: Preparation
Before you transfer the Apple watch to a new user make sure you prepare the following:
- Your correct Apple ID and password to allow you to turn off Activation Lock successfully.
- Connect both your new and old iPhone to a cellular network or Wi-Fi.
- Both your Apple Watch and iPhone need to be at least 50% charged.
- You must have the correct passcode.
Step 2: Update your iPhone.
Before switching your Apple Watch to a new iPhone make sure you update your iPhone’s operating system to the latest version. You should also do the same to your Apple Watch. If there is still an option to update to iOS 15, please update because it is the latest version.
Step 3: Confirm Health Feature is Turned On
In case you back up your data using iCloud make sure the Health feature is turned on in your iPhone.
To access iCloud go to Settings > sign in with your Apple ID if you haven’t yet signed. Skip this process if you are signed in. Then scroll down to Health and swipe the toggle to the right to turn it on.
Step 4: Back up your Existing iPhone and Apple Watch.
Back up your existing iPhone and Apple Watch device data to iCloud storage. To back up your data in iCloud read > back up your old iPhone to iCloud or on your computer. This is essential to allow you to seamlessly sync your data to your new Apple Watch or iPhone device.
Step 5: Turn off the Activation Lock on your Apple watch
After you have finished backing up your devices turn off the Activation Lock on your Apple Watch. To turn off the Activation Lock follow the steps below:
- Keep both your iPhone and Apple Watch close together.
- Open the Watch app on your phone.
- Tap My Watch tab > All Watches {located at the top of the screen} > info button (i) {located next to your Apple Watch}.
- Then, tap “Unpair Apple Watch”
- Enter your Apple ID and password. If by any chance you forgot your Apple ID password, you can reset it.
- Tap again to confirm.
How to Turn off Activation Lock if Can’t Access your iPhone or Apple Watch
You can also turn off Activation Lock using your computer without your iPhone or Apple Watch or if your watch is not paired with your iPhone.
To turn off Activation Lock from your computer follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Browse or go to iCloud.com or https://www.icloud.com/
- Step 2: Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Step 3: Open Settings
- Step 4: Navigate to “Find My Devices”
- Step 5: Select/click your Apple watch.
- Step 6: Then click X next to your device.
- Step 7: Click “Remove” to confirm. You are done!
What to do if Apple Watch is Stuck While Unpairing?
When your apple gets stuck when unpairing it the screen will turn black with the white logo still hanging on the screen. Follow the quick fix below to troubleshoot this issue:
- Step 1: Press and hold both the side button and the digital crown at the same time until the watch restarts.
- Step 2: Simultaneously, release both the side button and the Digital Crown.
- Step 3: After restarting your watch hold-press the screen until it displays the “Reset” button. Or you may press and hold the Digital Crown until the reset button shows up.
- Step 4: Tap Reset to reset your Watch.
- Step 5: Pair your Apple watch with your iPhone and follow the instructions above to turn off Activation Lock.
What is the Significance of Turning off the Activation Lock on the Apple Watch?
The Activation Lock feature is purposely integrated with your Apple Watch and iPhone to prevent anyone else from using your Apple Watch because of the following reasons:
- It requires your Apple ID and password to turn it off and reactivate Apple Watch.
- It is integrated with your iPhone GPS making it easier to find it.
- It prevents your data from being viewed by unwanted individuals.
- Also, it prevents anyone from reactivating your Apple watch without your permission.
- Since it is backed up with your other devices and Health feature data it will serve no purpose to the new user or culprit. That’s because the Activation Lock will not let another new user past the main screen.
However, Activation Lock comes into effect when you enable the “Find My Devices” feature on your Apple Watch. After activating it make sure you receive an activation lock message on the screen.
If you have an Apple Watch model that comes with cellular functionality it would be helpful to remove the carrier plan. The significance of removing/canceling a cellular subscription is to prevent incurring expenses on a device you are no longer using.
For cellular models, you can cancel your cellular subscription when you Unpair your Apple Watch by tapping Remove (Carrier) Plan. Or, you may consider contacting your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription.
However, we recommend canceling your cellular subscription if you are not going to pair it with a different Apple Watch, or transfer Apple Watch to a new user.
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