Ready to switch from your Series 4 or another Apple Watch to your new Series 5? Read along for how to upgrade to your new Apple Watch without losing data from watchOS 6.

Apple Watch backups are a bit trickier than iPhone backups. That’s because they happen automatically and are saved on the iPhone your Apple Watch is paired with but there’s no place in Settings to manually back up your Apple Watch or see when the last auto backup happened.

If you’re already running watchOS 6 on your current Apple Watch, the situation is a bit more complicated because that means you’re also running iOS 13 on your current iPhone.

If you’re upgrading to an iPhone 11, you’ll want to handle that first.

  • How to upgrade to your new iPhone without losing data from the iOS 13.1 beta

Note: If you’re running watchOS 5 on your current Apple Watch, read along with our specific guide for how to upgrade to a new watch without losing data below.

  • How to upgrade to your new Apple Watch without losing data

How to upgrade to your new Apple Watch without losing data from watchOS 6

Option 1

  • If you’re also upgrading your iPhone, make sure to set that up first
  • Since you’re probably coming from the iOS 13.1 beta you’ll need to set your new iPhone up as new, install the iOS 13.1 beta profile, reset your iPhone, set it up again, then restore from your backup
  • Open the Watch app on iPhone to start the pairing process
  • Power on your new Apple Watch and look for the pairing sphere code, follow the prompts
  • When asked, choose to restore your new Apple Watch from a backup and choose the most recent one
  • If you’re not seeing a backup available from your most recent iPhone backup, follow along with option 2 below

Option 2

Because an Apple Watch backup doesn’t happen with every iCloud or iTunes backup with your iPhone, you may want to force an Apple Watch backup.

  • Keep your paired Apple Watch and current iPhone close together
  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone
  • Tap your watch at the top, then tap the “i” on the right side
  • Tap Unpair Apple Watch (during the unpairing process your Apple Watch will do a fresh backup to your iPhone)
  • Follow the prompts to unpair your current Watch
  • Do a fresh iCloud or iTunes backup on your current iPhone
  • Now restore your new iPhone with the latest backup
  • Open the Watch app on your new iPhone to start the pairing process
  • Power on your new Apple Watch and look for the pairing sphere code, follow the prompts
  • When asked, choose to restore your new Apple Watch from a backup and choose the most recent one

Here’s how the unpairing process looks to force an Apple Watch backup:

You can leave your existing Apple Watch paired with your iPhone and pair your new watch as a second watch. Just tap your current watch in the Watch app, then the “i” then “Pair New Watch” as seen above.

For more help with getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how-to guide as well as the following articles:

  • watchOS 6: How to stream and play Apple Books audiobooks on Apple Watch

  • watchOS 6: How to use the split bill and tip calculator features on Apple Watch

  • What are noise alerts on Apple Watch in watchOS 6?

  • watchOS 6: How to update software directly on Apple Watch

  • watchOS 6: How to download apps directly on Apple Watch

  • watchOS 6: How to record Voice Memos on Apple Watch

  • watchOS 6: How to delete built-in apps on Apple Watch

  • iOS 13: How to use Dark Mode on iPhone

  • iOS 13: How to use Memoji Stickers on iPhone

  • iOS 13: How to delete apps on iOS 13 for iPhone and iPad

  • iOS 13: How to automatically close Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad

  • iOS 13: How to customize ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ alerts

  • iOS 13: How to choose profile photo and display name for iMessage

  • iOS 13: How to switch WiFi networks from Control Center

  • iOS 13: How to use the new gestures for cut, copy, paste, and undo on iPhone and iPad

  • iOS 13: How to download any size app over cellular with iPhone

  • iOS 13: How to set iPhone Communication Limits for your kid with Screen Time

  • iOS 13: How to use the new Street View-like ‘Look Around’ feature in Apple Maps

  • How to protect your hearing with iOS 13 and watchOS 6

  • How to find a lost iPhone, iPad or Mac – even if it’s offline

  • How to downgrade from the iOS 13.1 beta