To attach (pair) your Apple Watch to your iPhone, use your iPhone's camera to scan the unique pattern displayed on your Apple Watch screen. Then, choose whether to restore from a backup or set it up as new.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Pairing Process
The core method involves visual scanning via the iPhone camera. The Apple Watch displays an animated pattern, and the iPhone uses its camera to "read" this pattern, which initiates the pairing.
Detailed Steps
While the video references are brief, here's a typical breakdown of the steps involved in pairing an Apple Watch with an iPhone:
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Power On: Turn on your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.
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Bring Devices Close: Bring your Apple Watch close to your iPhone. A pairing screen should automatically appear on your iPhone.
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Initiate Pairing: On your iPhone, tap "Continue" when the pairing screen appears. If the pairing screen doesn't appear, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap "Start Pairing."
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Visual Scan or Manual Pairing:
- Automatic (Recommended): Your iPhone will open its camera. Hold the iPhone over the animation on your Apple Watch screen. The watch face should fit within the viewfinder on your iPhone.
- Manual: If you can't use the camera, tap "Pair Manually" on your iPhone, then choose your watch. Follow the on-screen instructions.
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Set Up Options: Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your Apple Watch. You'll typically be prompted to:
- Restore from Backup: Choose this option if you've previously paired this watch with an iPhone and have a backup available.
- Set Up as New: Choose this option if this is a new watch or if you don't want to restore from a previous backup.
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Apple ID and Password: You might be asked to enter your Apple ID and password.
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Settings Sync: Your iPhone will sync settings to your Apple Watch, and you may be prompted to configure features like Activity tracking, Apple Pay, and more.
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Passcode: Set up a passcode on your Apple Watch.
The process typically takes a few minutes. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close to each other during the pairing process.
