Setting up your Apple Watch
Get your refurbished Apple Watch paired with your iPhone in a few minutes.
Before you start
You need an iPhone — Apple Watch can’t be set up standalone. Your iPhone needs to be on iOS that supports your Watch model (Apple’s site has the compatibility chart).
Plug the Watch onto its magnetic charger before starting — pairing takes time and the Watch needs power.
Pairing your Watch with your iPhone
- Hold the Watch’s side button until the Apple logo appears.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone (it’s preinstalled) and tap Pair New Watch.
- Hold the iPhone over the swirling pattern on the Watch face — the camera will capture it automatically.
- Choose Set Up for Yourself, sign in to your Apple ID, and follow the prompts.
Restoring from a backup
If you had a previous Apple Watch, iOS will offer to restore from its backup during pairing. This carries over your watch faces, apps and complications.
GPS vs Cellular Apple Watch
Some Apple Watch models come in two flavours: GPS (uses your iPhone’s connection) and GPS + Cellular (has its own SIM/eSIM and can connect on its own).
Check which yours is by looking at the back: cellular models have a red ring around the Digital Crown, or it’ll say so on the case. If yours is cellular, contact your network to activate the eSIM in Watch app → Mobile.
Apple Watch cellular is supported by EE, Vodafone and O2 in the UK. Check with your network — some pay-monthly plans require an add-on; some pay-as-you-go can’t add it at all.
Setting a passcode
Setup will prompt for a passcode. Set one — without it, Apple Pay, unlocking your Mac, and a few other features won’t work. You can also enable Wrist Detection so the Watch locks automatically when you take it off.
watchOS updates
Once paired, check for an update: Watch app → General → Software Update. Keep the Watch on its charger and the iPhone nearby — updates can take up to an hour.
Model-specific advice is in our advice centre.
