“Restore” can mean fixing an Apple Watch that shows a recovery animation or red exclamation point, or putting your personal settings and supported content back from a backup. Use the recovery steps below for a recovery screen; use Restore from Backup after erasing or unpairing when your goal is to recover your data. Apple’s recovery procedure can use a nearby iPhone or iPad, not only an iPhone.
Choose the procedure that matches your Apple Watch
| What you see or want to do | Use this procedure | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| An animation asking you to bring an iPhone or iPad near the watch, or a red exclamation point | Recovery-mode restore | Attempts to update or restore the watch’s software; it is not the same as restoring personal data from a backup. |
| You erased or unpaired the watch and want your settings and supported content back | Restore from Backup during pairing | Sets up the watch using an available backup. |
| You forgot the watch passcode | Reset the watch, then pair it again | Erases the watch; you can choose a backup during setup if one is available. |
| The Apple logo remains on screen | Force restart, then unpair and pair again if needed | Restarts the watch first; persistent trouble may require service. |
Restore a watch showing the recovery animation or red exclamation point
This procedure uses a nearby iPhone or iPad to address a watchOS recovery prompt. The iPhone or iPad needs the latest available iOS or iPadOS, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Keep the watch on its charger for the entire process and make sure it has at least 50% charge.
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If the watch shows an iPhone-and-watch animation
- Connect the watch to its charger and bring the iPhone or iPad close to it.
- Double-click the watch’s side button.
- Follow the prompts on the nearby iPhone or iPad to begin the restore.
If the watch shows a red exclamation point
- Double-click the watch’s side button.
- Check that the watch has at least 50% charge and is on its charger.
- Bring the iPhone or iPad close, then double-click the side button again.
- Follow the prompts on the iPhone or iPad.
If the process cannot connect, check that Wi-Fi is available. Apple recommends trying a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network instead of 5 GHz and avoiding captive networks, such as those that require a web sign-in, and 802.1X networks. If the red exclamation point remains, Apple’s guidance is to seek service; repeating the steps is not a guaranteed fix.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A friend’s iPhone or iPad can be used for this recovery procedure. Apple says the watch’s personal information is not shared with that device during the restore.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with all Apple Watch: Our wireless charger is compatible with iWatch series 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 SE3 SE2 SE 5 4 3 2 1 Ultra4 Ultra3 Ultra2 including 38 mm 40 mm 41 mm 42 mm 44 mm 45 mm 49mm Version. Also compatible with Airpods 4 AirPods Pro 3 AirPods Pro 2
- Efficient Smart Charging: Our watch charger provides safe charging mode, it takes 2 hours to fully charge your S12-S4. Please note: Charging Ultra 4 3 2 1 will take less than 4 hours. We suggest that you purchase our store's 5W fast charging version for your Ultra series
- Multiple Protection: Built-in advanced chip with over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit, over-charge and over-temperature protection and other safety features. Protect your watch battery against damage
- Strong Magnetic Adsorption: The Watch Charger with built-in magnet has strong adsorption perfectly snaps and centers to the charging coil on the back of your watch, stable and will not fall off, resulting in a wonderful charging experience
- Travel Essentials: This 3.3FT 1M Watch charging cable is portable to carry around, especially for traveling and is suitable as a backup charger for your watch
Restore your settings and content from an Apple Watch backup
Apple Watch content backs up automatically to the paired iPhone. Unpairing the watch using that iPhone performs a backup first. Apple Watch backups are also included in iPhone backups made to iCloud or to a Mac or Windows device. When pairing the same iPhone again or setting up another watch, choose Restore from Backup and select the backup you want to use.
Unpair from the iPhone when it is available
- Open the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone.
- Tap My Watch, then All Watches.
- Tap the info button beside the watch, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
- If prompted, enter the Apple Account password to remove Activation Lock.
- During pairing, choose Restore from Backup and select an available backup.
If the watch has cellular service and you are pairing it again, choose to keep the plan. If you are selling or giving away the watch, remove the plan; contact the carrier separately if you need to cancel cellular service.
Rank #2
- 【Safe and Fast Wireless Watch Charging】- Our wireless charger provides a safer and faster charging mode,for a more convenient charging experience,Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Wide Compatible】- Our wireless batteries charger is compatible with iWatch series Ultra2/Ultra/12/11/10/9/8/7/6/SE2/SE/5/4/3/2 (including the 38 mm/40 mm/41 mm/42 mm/44 mm/45 mm Version).Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Portable design】- This 3.3Ft charging cable for apple watch is convenient to carry around, especially for traveling，and is suitable as a backup charger for your watch.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【Advanced Safety】- Built-in protection device with safety functions such as overcurrent,overvoltage,short circuit and overtemperature protection. Protect your watch battery from overcharging damage.pls note:this is support usb c port,so pls use a usb c PD adapter,and 20w-30w is the best to use.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
- 【12-Month Quality Assurance 】- As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and friendly customer service.Please take off the watch case and use a 5V/1A adapter or original adapter（ETL/UL Certified）.
If you erased the watch directly on the watch
Erasing from the watch instead of unpairing it through the paired iPhone can leave Activation Lock enabled. Setup then requires the Apple Account and password previously associated with the watch. For a secondhand watch that is still locked to its previous owner, that owner must remove the lock before you can set it up.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Reset an Apple Watch if you forgot its passcode
You can reset a passcode-locked watch from the watch or the paired iPhone, then pair it again and restore from a backup if one is offered. The watch-side reset erases its contents.
Rank #3
- ⚡【Compatible with Apple Watch Series】:The Apple Watch Charger Cable is compatible with Apple Watch Series 9, Series 8, Series7, Series SE, Series 6, Series 5, Series 4, Series 3, Series 2, Series 1, and compatible with Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Sports, Apple Watch Herm~s and Apple Watch Edition. It can support all watch sizes, including all 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm and 45mm versions.
- ⚡【USB C Fast Charger】 Our Apple watch charger comes with USB C charger adapter, up to 3X faster than the 5W original charger speed. To get better experience, your Apple watch charger series 7 is fully charged in about 2 hours and the phone is fully charged in about 2.5 hours.
- ⚡【6.6FT/2M Apple Watch Charger Cable】: This 6.6foot/2M Apple Watch Charger magnetic iwatch charging cable has a built-in magnetic charging module, which can easily identify your watch, with shock absorption and high temperature resistance.You can freely adjust the angle of the watch while charging.To avoid overheating,We recommend charging your watch without a case.
- ⚡【Safe Apple Watch Charger】: Our iwatch charger with the original MFi chip and integrated magnetic technology,ensures 100% original charging speed for your Apple devices.This Apple Watch charger cable is made of high quality ABS+PC and pure copper wire, the cable has been tested for 10000+ times of bending to avoid shortened lifespan due to aging and usage.
- ⚡【What You Will Get】 : Our package includes a Apple Watch Charger USB C/Type C Fast Charger Block and a 6.6ft Apple Watch charger Cable. If you have any question about the Apple Watch Charger, please feel free to contact us.
- Put the watch on its charger.
- Press and hold the side button until the power sliders appear.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown until the erase screen appears.
- Tap Reset, then confirm to erase the watch.
- Pair the watch again and choose Restore from Backup if a suitable backup is available.
If Erase Data is enabled, Apple Watch erases its data after 10 failed passcode attempts.
If the watch is stuck on the Apple logo
- Hold the side button and Digital Crown together until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears again.
- If the watch remains stuck, unpair it using the paired iPhone, then pair it again and choose a backup during setup if available.
- If the problem persists, seek service.
If a backup is missing when moving to a new iPhone
Make sure the iPhone and Apple Watch are up to date before trying to pair them again. Health data availability depends on whether Health synchronization with iCloud was configured or an encrypted computer backup is available. Without a suitable backup or the source device, some recent watch activity or settings may not be recoverable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Durable, woven cable with fast-charging capabilities for select Apple Watch models. Simply hold the connector near the back of the watch, where magnets cause it to snap into place automatically.
- Supports fast charging on Apple Watch Series 7 and later and Apple Watch Ultra models. Supports regular charge times on all other models.
- Compatible with all Apple Watch
- USB-C Cable Length: 1m or 3.2 feet
Rank #4
- 【Wide Compatible】- Our wireless charger is compatible with iWatch series Ultra/10/9/8/7/6/SE2/SE/5/4/3/2/1 (including the 38 mm/40 mm/41 mm/42 mm/44 mm/45 mm Version)
- 【Portable design】-This 1.0M iWatch charging cable is convenient to carry around, especially for traveling，and is suitable as a backup charger for your watch.
- 【Advanced Safe & Rapid Charging】– Experience enhanced safety and speed with our wireless watch charger, delivering a 0% to 100% charge in under 3 hours.
- 【Smart Protection】 - Equipped with advanced safety mechanisms including over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit, and over-temperature protection. Automatically adjusts charging power to prevent overheating and overcharging, ensuring your premium watch battery remains healthy and extends its lifespan. Certified for safe, worry-free wireless charging day and night.
- 【12-Month Quality Assurance 】- As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and lifetime friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
