- Your Apple Watch will automatically backup its data while connected to a paired iPhone.
- Apple Watch backups save your apps and data, but won’t save your passcode or Apple Pay information.
- If you unpair or reset your Apple Watch, you can use a backup to restore your data.
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Backing up your Apple Watch can save important data if you ever have to reset or unpair it.
Here’s everything to know about Apple Watch backups, including what they save, and how to restore them.
How to backup your Apple Watch
It’s incredibly easy to back up your Apple Watch — because it does it for you automatically.
Whenever your Watch is connected to your iPhone, it’s backing up your data to your phone. You don’t have to turn on any extra settings.
You’ll need backups if you ever reset or unpair your Apple Watch. Once you’ve cleared your Apple Watch’s data, you can use your backups to restore what you lost.
How to restore an Apple Watch from a backup
If you’ve reset or unpaired your Apple Watch and want to re-pair it to your iPhone, you can set the Watch up using a backup. You’ll be able to choose between several recent backups, including the one made right when you unpaired your Watch.
Once you re-pair your Apple Watch, you’ll be given the option to set up the device from scratch, or restore it from a backup. Select Restore from Backup and choose the backup you want to use.

Once you’ve restored your Apple Watch you’ll have to re-pair it with any Bluetooth devices, make a new passcode, and re-enable Apple Pay.
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