To move to a new Apple Watch without losing Health history, protect the data on your iPhone first, then restore the previous watch backup during setup. With the same iPhone, choose the old watch backup when prompted. If you’re also changing iPhones, sync Health with iCloud or make an encrypted computer backup, restore that iPhone backup to the new phone, and then finish setting up the watch.
Before you start, protect your Health data
Apple Watch backups are saved automatically to the paired iPhone when the devices are near each other; unpairing the watch also saves a backup. Apple Support describes it simply: “Your Apple Watch is backed up automatically to your iPhone.” Apple’s watch-backup guide explains what is included. For preserving Health and Activity data through an iPhone change, Apple identifies iCloud sync or an encrypted computer backup as the routes to use.
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Option 1: Use iCloud Health sync
- On the iPhone, open Settings, tap your name (Apple Account), then tap iCloud.
- Check that Health is enabled for iCloud on the iPhone holding the data. Keep the relevant devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
With Health syncing enabled, Health data stored in iCloud stays up to date across devices signed in to that account. Apple’s guidance on missing Health data notes that some iCloud data may take a few days to appear after setup.
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If you use a Mac or PC instead, create an encrypted backup of the old iPhone using Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. An unencrypted computer backup will not transfer Health and Activity data. Apple’s iPhone transfer instructions describe the backup process.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
If you’re keeping the same iPhone
- Keep the old watch and iPhone near each other long enough for the automatic watch backup process. If you are unpairing the old watch, the unpairing process saves a backup.
- Pair the new Apple Watch with that iPhone using the Apple Watch app’s setup prompts.
- When asked how to customize the new watch, choose a backup from a previous Apple Watch. Review the available backup and select the one you want to restore.
Apple’s Apple Watch setup guide presents restoring a previous-watch backup and setting up as new as separate choices. If you select set up as new, you do not restore the old watch backup.
If you’re changing your iPhone too
Migrate the iPhone before completing watch setup. Apple’s pairing guidance says both iPhones need Wi‑Fi, and you need the Apple Account password and watch passcode. For the documented transfer flow, the Apple Watch and new iPhone must each be at least 50 percent charged.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
- Update the old iPhone and Apple Watch before starting, and make sure Health is syncing with iCloud or that you have an encrypted computer backup.
- Back up the old iPhone to iCloud or to a computer with backup encryption enabled.
- Restore the most recent iPhone backup to the new iPhone and sign in to the same Apple Account if using iCloud Health sync.
- Open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone and follow its prompts to finish setting up the watch. Choose the previous Apple Watch backup if offered.
For the full sequence and requirements, see Apple’s instructions for pairing an Apple Watch with a new iPhone.
Why Health history may not appear right away
First check that the iPhone and other relevant devices are signed in to the same Apple Account and that Health is enabled in iCloud settings. If those settings are correct, allow time for syncing: Apple says it may take a few days for all iCloud data to appear. Activity Sharing data is not stored in iCloud, so it is not restored through that route.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
If the old iPhone is unavailable and there is no usable backup, Apple says Health and Activity content cannot be recovered. A new watch backup cannot recreate history that is no longer available on the phone or in a backup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which backup route should you use?
| Route | What you need | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Health sync | Health enabled in iCloud settings and the same Apple Account on the devices | Allow time for data to sync and appear. |
| Computer backup | A Mac or PC running Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes | Encrypt the backup; an unencrypted backup does not transfer Health and Activity data. |
The iCloud route suits people who have sync enabled and can use the same Apple Account. The computer route is an alternative when you can create an encrypted backup. In either case, also restore the previous Apple Watch backup during watch setup when one is available; the iPhone data-preservation route and watch-backup choice serve related but distinct steps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
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.
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