How to Set Up an Apple Watch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

Introduction:

• Learn how to set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone for the first time.

Before We Begin:

iOS on your iPhone must be up-to-date.

How to Update Your iPhone

Your iPhone should be connected to Wi-Fi.

How to Connect Your iPhone to Wi-Fi

Your iPhone should have Bluetooth turned on.

Pair Bluetooth Devices to Your iPhone

Your Apple Watch's battery should be charged.

1. To charge the Apple Watch, place the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable on the back of Apple Watch.
   

2. Pairing for the First Time

On Your Apple Watch

1. Power up your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button. The Apple logo will appear as the watch powers on.
   

On Your iPhone

1. Once your Apple Watch is powered up, your iPhone will display a message offering to set up the watch. Tap Continue.
   

1. If the message was closed or did not appear, open the Watch app on your iPhone.
   

1. Tap Start Pairing.
   

On Your Apple Watch

1. A unique animation will appear on your Apple Watch.
   

On Your iPhone

1. Your iPhone will instruct you to use its camera to capture the animation by holding your phone over your watch and aligning it with the on-screen viewfinder.
   

1. Your iPhone will automatically capture the animation and begin pairing with your watch. Once paired, a confirmation screen will appear. Tap Set Up Apple Watch to proceed.
   

3. Set Up Apple Watch

On Your iPhone

1. Select your wrist preference.
   

1. Select Agree for the Terms and Conditions.
   

1. 
   
2. Sign into your Apple ID.
   

1.  
2. Select to enable or disable Route Tracking. This uses Location Services.
   

1. 
   
2. Select OK to share services between your iPhone and watch.
   

1. Tap Create a Passcode.
   

1. The passcode on your Apple Watch serves as a safety precaution. Each time your watch is removed from your wrist, placing it back on will require your passcode be used to unlock it. Certain features of your watch require that you have a passcode set, such as Apple Pay.
2. Your iPhone will display a screen telling you to create a passcode on your Apple Watch.
   

On Your Apple Watch

8. Enter and confirm your Passcode.
   

On Your iPhone

9. Select Continue to turn on Heart Health so your Apple Watch can monitor your heart rate.
   

9. 
   
10. Heart Health is only available on Series 4 Apple Watches and above.
11. Choose whether to set up Apple Pay (you'll need to re-enter your payment details) or set it up later.
    

9. Tap Continue after reading about Apple Watch's SOS feature. With Series4, your Watch can detect falls and will automatically call for help should it read a fall.
   

9. If you received a cellular Apple Watch, you should set it up now. Otherwise, skip this step.
   

9. Some apps on your iPhone work on your Apple Watch as well. You can choose to install them now or later. Choosing later will sync mail, contacts, and messages only.
   

9. Your Apple Watch will sync.
   

9. Tap OK to finish setting up your Apple Watch.