Locked Out of Your Apple Watch? Here’s How to Unlock It

Forgot your Apple Watch passcode? Is your Apple Watch disabled due to too many failed login attempts? Here’s how to unlock your Apple Watch.

If your Apple Watch is disabled but you know your passcode

Your Apple Watch will be disabled after 10 unsuccessful login attempts, which can happen if you forget your passcode or your kids try to access your Apple Watch. If you remember your passcode, you can unlock your Apple Watch from your paired iPhone.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
2. Tap Passcode
3. Select Unlock with iPhone
4. Put your Apple Watch on and press the Digital Crown
5. Enter the passcode or use Touch ID on your iPhone to unlock your Apple Watch

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode but have a paired iPhone

If you don’t know your passcode, you can still unlock your Apple Watch with your paired iPhone. This process will hard reset your Apple Watch and erase all content and data (if Data Erase is turned on, your Apple Watch data will be wiped after the tenth failed login attempt anyway).

Fortunately, your Apple Watch is automatically backed up your iPhone, so it can be restored immediately after you reset it (it’s also backed up to iCloud and iTunes when you back up your iPhone).

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone
2. Browse to My Watch > General > Reset
3. Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings, then confirm (you might need your Apple ID password. If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can restore it here)
4. If prompted, elect to keep your cellular plan
5. Your Apple Watch will be reset to factory settings. When the process completes, select the prompt to restore from backup. You’ll be able to set a new passcode after it restores

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode and do not have a paired iPhone

If you’re locked out of your Apple Watch and it’s unpaired, you can still perform a hard reset without an iPhone. Then, you can restore it from a backup when you pair it to your iPhone.

1. Place your Apple Watch on its charger
2. Hold the side button until the Power Off screen appears
3. Press the Power Off slider firmly (do not slide it)
4. Select Erase All Content and Settings
5. Your Apple Watch will reset to factory settings. You can then pair it to your iPhone, restore it from a backup and set a new passcode

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