The Apple Watch needs an iPhone to function properly even though the two are grouped as different devices. When you purchase a new Apple Watch, you will need to pair it with your iPhone right after you have turned it on.
Before you start the pairing process;
- Make sure that your iPhone is updated to the latest IOS version.
- Connect your iPhone and watch to a functioning WiFi network or cellular network.
- Toggle on the Bluetooth feature on your iPhone.
- At all times, make sure to keep your iPhone and Apple watch close to each other during the entire setup process.
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How to Pair Apple Watch with iPhone
1. First, put your apple watch on then hold and press the side button to turn the watch on.
2. Go ahead and unlock your iPhone and hold it close to your Apple watch until a message pops up.
3. When the Setup Prompt pops up tap Continue. If the prompt fails to appear, open the Watch app on the iPhone, tap All Watches, and tap Pair New Watch.
4. Point your iPhone camera at the animation on your Apple Watch to align the animation in the frame on the iPhone screen. This will pair the watch to the iPhone.
5. If you can not use the camera, tap pair the watch manually. Go ahead and tap the i on the watch and also tap the name of the watch displayed on the watch on your iPhone. Enter the 6-digit code that has been displayed on the watch on your iPhone. The Apple Watch and iPhone are now paired and you can complete the setup.
How to Set up your Apple Watch
Depending on if you previously owned Apple Watch or if this is your very first watch, the process might vary a bit.
To get started, tap Set up Apple Watch. If you have a backup of your previous Apple Watch, you can tap, Restore from Back up and follow the steps to transfer the data to this Watch.
Next, you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Tap Enter Password and enter the password then tap sign in.
Now follow the on-screen prompts to choose your settings like adjusting text size and passcode on your Apple watch. You can also set up features like Apple Pay and Emergency SOS. If you have an Apple Watch cellular model, you can set up cellular service and you will be able to install apps from your iPhone that work with your Apple Watch. If you are running short of time, you can save setting up these features for later in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Patiently wait for your Apple Watch to sync with your iPhone and make sure to keep your iPhone close until it is finished. When it is ready, you will get an alert on your Apple watch. Press the Digital crown and then you are good to go.
How to Troubleshoot Apple Watch Not Pairing with iPhone
Each Apple Watch is designed to connect to one iPhone at a time. Thus, if your watch has failed to pair with your iPhone, there is a high chance that it is already paired with another. If the watch is paired, you can choose to unpair it. To unpair the watch, go to the Watch app > My Watch > All Watches > i > Unpair Apple Watch).
If you bought the watch used by someone and can’t pair it, it might be protected by Apple’s anti-theft Activation Lock feature. If so, contact the person you got it from and ask them to remove the activation lock.
The iPhone and Apple Watch communicate over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so if either is disabled, the process won’t work. Make sure they’re on by opening Control center and checking that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are lit up in blue. If they’re not, tap the icons.
If your watch’s battery is very low, it may not be able to pair. Put it on the watch charger for an hour or so and try again.
If your iPhone’s OS is out of date, it might have trouble pairing with a watch running a newer WatchOS version. Update to the latest IOS and pair again.