Apple Watch Won't Reset? How to Fix The Problem

You'll want to reset your Apple Watch to factory settings if you're having serious problems with its functionality or if you're giving it away. Here's what to do when you can't reset your Apple Watch.

Causes of Apple Watch Not Resetting

If you're having trouble resetting your Apple Watch, a few problems could be to blame. Some examples include software issues with either the wearable or the Apple Watch it's paired to. You, therefore, have to check out both devices to get the reset to happen.

How Do I Fix an Unresponsive Apple Watch?

Take the following steps to get your Apple Watch working again.

1. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Your Apple Watch and iPhone communicate wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you'll want to double-check that these features are active.

   On your iPhone, bring up the Control Center, then select the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to turn them on.

2. Update your Apple Watch and update your iPhone. Sometimes when your Apple Watch and iPhone aren't working together correctly, the issue is that one or both of them needs a firmware update.

3. Restart your iPhone. Since you'll usually try to reset your Apple Watch using the Watch app on your iPhone, your first step should be to restart the iPhone. If a basic restart doesn't work, try the more strenuous forced restart.

4. Restart your Apple Watch. If your watch is unresponsive, do a force restart. Press and hold the Side Button and Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears.

5. Do a full power cycle. Power off your iPhone and turn off your Apple Watch. Then, turn on the iPhone, followed by the Apple Watch.

6. Resync your Apple Watch. Resyncing your watch deletes and resets the data you share between them (for example, calendars and contacts).

7. Reset your Apple Watch. A reset erases all content and settings on your watch, allowing you to start over from scratch.

   Erasing your Apple Watch this way won't reset the Activation Lock security feature, which only turns off after unpairing the wearable from your iPhone.

8. Contact Apple. If none of the above fixes work, you may have a hardware issue with your Apple Watch or iPhone that will need servicing. Depending on your warranty or AppleCare+ status, the appointment with the manufacturer or the authorized servicer might be free.