How to Change Your Apple Watch Band

Get a whole new style with a new Apple Watch band

A close up of an Apple Watch with the wrist strap visible

Jan Kjerrman/EyeEm/Getty Images

by Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
Updated September 11, 2019

One of the great things about owning an Apple Watch is you can easily swap its wristband for a different design. That's perfect for when you want to use your smartwatch at the gym, as well as at more formal occasions. Switching out the watch band is easy enough, once you know how. And you can follow up by changing your watch face to match. Here's how to change an Apple Watch band.

The Apple Watch doesn't use a standard watch band. You need to use a watch strap specifically made for it. All Apple Watches use the same type. These instructions apply to the Apple Watch 1st generation, Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, and Series 4.

How to Remove Your Apple Watch Band

Starting out, you need to be able to remove your Apple Watch's original wrist strap. It's quite a straight forward process.

Never wear your Apple Watch if the band is sliding. It's not safe on your wrist and may slip off.

  1. Place your Apple Watch face down on a smooth and clean surface. Ideally, a micro-fiber cloth or soft mat on a desk top is the best surface to use.

    An Apple Watch face down

    Make sure your Apple Watch is switched off so you don't accidentally tap anything.

  2. Hold down the band release button on the back of the Apple Watch with your fingertip or fingernail. 

    The back of an Apple Watch

    There are two band release buttons for either strap. They're located at the top and bottom of the back of the Apple Watch. The buttons are the same color as the rest of the back of the Apple Watch, but they're fairly easy to spot.

  3. While holding the button, slide the band across to remove it. 

    Careful sliding is useful here rather than doing it too quickly. It's a snug fit.

  4. Once the band slides out, you can release the band release button.

    An Apple Watch with its wrist band removed

    If the band doesn't slide out, try pressing the band release button again and make sure you hold it down.

  5. Repeat the same process for the other half of the Apple Watch/the remaining strap.

How to Install a New Apple Watch Wrist Band

Inserting a new band is even easier than removing the old one.

There's no need to hold the band release button when you install a new wrist band.

  1. Make sure the small text on the back of the new band is facing you. 

  2. Tilt the new wrist band a little so it's in line with the angle of the Apple Watch's wrist strap slot. 

    Never force the band into the slot. If you're doing it correctly, no force should be required. Additionally, don't push the band in at an angle other than the natural angle and placement the Apple Watch steers you towards. 

  3. Slide the new band in until you feel and hear a soft click.

    An Apple Watch with its wrist band partially attached

If you don't feel or hear a click, try sliding the band back out, then go back in. It should be very simple to do.