How to pair an Apple Watch with an iPhone
2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Turn on the watch and hold it near the iPhone. Tap Continue on the card that appears on the phone, hold the phone so the watch's animation is in the frame, and follow the steps to sign in, set a passcode and choose your settings.
An Apple Watch is set up from an iPhone. Pairing takes 10 to 20 minutes, most of it waiting while the two sync. Charge both first.
Step by step
Update the iPhone and turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
A new watch may need the latest iOS. Open Settings, General, Software Update on the phone.
Turn on the watch and put it on
Hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Hold the watch near the iPhone and tap Continue
A card appears on the phone. If it does not, open the Watch app and tap Pair New Watch.
Scan the animation
A moving pattern appears on the watch. Hold the iPhone so the pattern fills the frame on the phone's screen.
Choose Set Up for Myself, and restore or start fresh
If you had a watch before, you can restore its backup. Otherwise choose Set Up as New Apple Watch.
Sign in and choose settings
Enter your Apple Account password if asked, create a watch passcode, and choose text size, health details and whether to install all available apps.
Keep them together while syncing
A progress ring shows on the watch. Leave both devices near each other until you hear a chime and feel a tap.
Good to know
If the watch says it is locked to another Apple Account, the previous owner has to remove it from their account before you can use it.
One iPhone can have several watches paired, but a watch pairs with one iPhone at a time.
To move to a new iPhone, unpair first so a backup is made: how to unpair an Apple Watch.
In short: Turn on the watch, hold it near the iPhone, Continue, scan the animation, follow the steps.
- Apple Support: Set up your Apple Watch
Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.