Tech Reference

How to set up your Apple Watch and pair it with your iPhone

A man wearing an Apple Watch.
It doesn't take long to set up a new Apple Watch. DenPhotos/Shutterstock
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Setting up a new Apple Watch is pretty straightforward, no matter what model you have. All you need is an iPhone that's connected to the internet and has Bluetooth turned on.

Here's what you'll need to do.

How to set up your Apple Watch

If the Apple Watch isn't already turned on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, and then wait for it to boot up. If you only just took it out of the box, be sure to let it charge for a bit first.

You'll also want to make sure your iPhone is connected to the internet and has Bluetooth enabled.

1. Bring the Apple Watch close to your iPhone. You should see a screen appear on the iPhone that says Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch. Tap Continue, and the Watch app will open.

An iPhone pop-up that tells the user to use their iPhone to set up an Apple Watch.
Your iPhone will sense the Apple Watch.  William Antonelli/Insider

2. You can choose whether to set up the Apple Watch for yourself or a family member — chances are that you're setting it up for yourself, so pick that option.

3. On the Apple Watch, tap the i icon and select your language and country. It should start displaying a translucent sphere that looks like moving particles.     

4. Move your iPhone so the Apple Watch's screen fits into the yellow square. After a moment, the two will pair.

An Apple Watch and iPhone getting ready to pair.
You'll need to place the iPhone over the Apple Watch.  William Antonelli/Insider

5. Now, choose whether you want to set up your Apple Watch using a backup (if you've owned one before) or set it up as a new Watch.

6. If you choose Restore from Backup, pick the backup that you want to use. All the data from that backup will be loaded onto your Watch. If you choose Set Up as New Apple Watch, go through the options to pick which wrist you want to wear the Watch on, accept the Terms and Conditions, sign into your Apple ID account, and configure your settings.

Some of the options that you have to configure when setting up an Apple Watch.
A few of the Apple Watch's settings will depend on your iPhone's settings.  William Antonelli/Insider

7. Create a passcode and pick which apps you want to install.

8. Once you've configured all your settings, give your iPhone and Watch time to sync. It can take a long time — up to an hour in some cases — so keep your Watch charged and let it work. You can keep using your iPhone normally, but don't move it too far away from the Watch.

While you're waiting, check out the Watch for some tips and tricks on how to make the most of your new gadget.

How to set up your Apple Watch's cellular plan

If you have an Apple Watch with a cellular plan and you you didn't activate it during the initial setup, you can do it any time afterwards.

1. Start the Watch app on your iPhone. 

2. In the My Watch tab, tap Cellular, then Set Up Cellular.

The page that lets you set up cellular service on an iPhone.
Set up your Apple Watch's cellular plan from the Watch app on your iPhone.  Dave Johnson/Insider

3. Sign into your cellular provider and follow the instructions to activate the plan. You'll need to agree to the plan's terms and conditions and enter your address. 

An iPhone displaying a page titled "In case of emergency" that lets the user enter their address.
Follow the instructions to activate your cellular service, including the 911 emergency contact page.  Apple; Xfinity Mobile

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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.