How to reset apple watch without paired phone and password

Have you ever found yourself in a bind with your Apple Watch, where you can’t access your paired iPhone or simply forgot your password? Perhaps you inherited an Apple Watch from a friend or family member, and it’s still linked to their Apple ID. Whatever the reason, you’re left staring at a sleek piece of tech on your wrist that feels more like a trinket than a tool. If only there were a way to reset it and start fresh, right?

To reset your Apple Watch without a paired phone and password, press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown until you see the Apple logo. Keep holding them for about 10 seconds, and this will initiate the hard reset process.

To perform a more thorough reset of your Apple Watch, especially if it’s still linked to an Apple ID, follow these steps. First, ensure your Apple Watch is charged. Then, on the watch’s face, press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider. Instead of simply powering off, press firmly on the slider and release. From the options that appear, select “Erase All Content and Settings.” This will remove any existing user data and settings, essentially restoring the watch to factory conditions.

If you’re encountering issues because the watch is locked or you don’t have access to the paired iPhone, you may need to utilize recovery options. If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi, you can attempt to remove it from your Apple account through iCloud.com by selecting “Find iPhone” and then unlocking it. Once the watch is erased from your account, it should allow you to set it up anew. Make sure to have all necessary data backed up or accounted for, as this process will erase all information stored on the device.