Whether you're selling your Apple Watch Ultra 2/1, troubleshooting a software issue, or starting fresh — a factory reset erases everything and returns your device to its original state. This covers Apple Watch Ultra 2/1, Series 10/9/8/7/6, and SE (2nd/1st gen).
On the watch: Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
Back up before you reset. This permanently deletes all photos, messages, apps, and settings. There's no undo. Unpairing from iPhone creates a backup automatically. Watch data is also included in your iPhone's iCloud backup.
Reset from Settings
The standard method — works when your watch is responsive.
On the watch: Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
The watch erases and restarts to the pairing screen.
Unpair from iPhone
The best way to erase if you have your iPhone nearby. It backs up and erases in one step.
Best method — unpair from iPhone: Watch app → All Watches → ⓘ → Unpair Apple Watch (backs up and erases automatically)
From the watch: Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
Frozen: Hold Side button + Digital Crown for 10 seconds
Reset settings only — keep your data
On the watch: Settings → General → Reset → choose individual options (Home Screen layout, sync data, etc.).
Resets Wi-Fi, display, and preferences. Apps and data stay. Worth trying before a full erase.
Force restart — no data loss
Hold Side button + Digital Crown together for 10+ seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Just a reboot. Nothing is erased. Try this first if it's frozen.
Will a reset fix my problem?
If it's software — slow after an update, apps crashing, random reboots, storage full — a reset will probably fix it. If it's hardware, it won't.
Software — reset helps
Sluggish after an update
Apps crashing or freezing
Random reboots
System data eating storage
Preparing to sell
Hardware — needs repair
Cracked watch face
Swollen battery pushing screen out
Digital Crown stuck
Water damage
Side button not clicking
Quick test: reset, set up as new (skip the backup restore), and see if the problem returns. If it does — it's hardware.
eSIM
GPS + Cellular models have eSIM. Unpairing from iPhone removes the eSIM automatically. Contact your carrier to add it to a new watch.
Common questions
What's the best way to reset?
Unpair from the Watch app on iPhone. It backs up and erases in one step.
How do I reset a used Apple Watch?
If it shows Activation Lock, you need the previous owner's Apple Account. There's no workaround.
Will resetting fix a slow Apple Watch?
If it's software, yes. If the watch is old with degraded hardware, improvement will be minimal.
Still not working after a reset? It's probably hardware. We do free diagnosis at FIXSTORY — no appointment, no pressure.
(424) 270-4369 · 800 S Flower St, Suite B, LA 90017 · Walk-ins welcome