APPLE Watch Series 12 42mm Aluminum GPS + Cellular – How to Factory Reset, by HardReset.Info on YouTube. 4 min 20 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 20 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Charge the watch so the battery is above 20%. A low battery can interrupt the wipe and cause problems.
Press the side button to open the app menu, then tap the Settings app (gear icon).
Scroll down the Settings list and tap Reset.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Read the activation lock warning. If you plan to sell or give the watch away, stop and unpair it from your iPhone first.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings again to confirm.
Wait while the watch wipes all media, data and settings. Keep it on the charger and do not press buttons.
When the completion animation appears, the watch is reset and ready to pair with a new owner.
Tips and common mistakes
A factory reset does not remove activation lock, so unpair the watch in the iPhone Watch app before selling it.
Keep the watch on its charger during the erase so the battery cannot run out mid-process.
If you forget your passcode, reset the watch from the Watch app on your iPhone instead.
Questions
Does a factory reset remove activation lock?
No. Activation lock stays tied to your Apple ID until you unpair the watch. Unpair it from your iPhone before selling or giving it away.
How do I unpair the watch before resetting?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap All Watches, tap the info button next to the watch and choose Unpair Apple Watch. This also removes activation lock.
What happens to my data after the reset?
All media, data and settings on the watch are erased. Restore your data later by pairing the watch with your iPhone and choosing a backup.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
