If you have been locked out of your Apple Watch because you entered an incorrect passcode several times, you might be on the verge of panicking. It could be because you have forgotten the code or accidentally entered it incorrectly a couple of times.
Regardless of how you reached this position, you may now be sitting at a message that reads: Too many passcode attempts, reset your Apple Watch and pair again.
While this notification is giving you a clear clue of what to do next, it sadly does not specify those steps. If you are doing this process for the first time, it can get frustrating to do it, especially since there are no directions on the timepiece that can help you through this resetting procedure. When you are locked out of your Apple Watch, the settings are not going to be accessible to you, and pressing the two buttons on the device is not going to offer you any help either.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, do not worry! The good news here is that this is a fairly straightforward process and once you know the steps, you will be easily able to regain access to your Apple Watch.
How to Reset an Apple Watch When Locked Out
To initiate the resetting process without a passcode, you can follow these steps. These may sound a little complicated but if you are careful while following them, you can easily get this done without a hitch.
Step 1: Ensure Your Apple Watch Is Charging
So now, you just get a hold of your gadget and place it for charging. You have to know that the procedure of resetting will not be working unless and until you are actively charging it. Hence, this is an essential step to take care of.
To do this, you have to make sure that your charger is properly connected to a power source, and then place this on the magnetic charger. When you see that it is charging, you will be able to move to the next steps.
Step 2: Locate and Hold the Side Button
Now that you are done with the first step, you have to locate the side button which is the longest of the two buttons that are present on the device. You will find it positioned below the round Digital Crown. Now you have to press and hold this side button until you see the options for Medical ID and Emergency Call appear on the screen.
These options are normally used for emergencies, but in this case, they’re just the first step in helping you access the option of resetting. Keep the button pressed until you can see these options.
Step 3: Activate the Reset Option by Holding the Digital Crown
When the options are displayed on the screen, the next step is to press on the Digital Crown and keep holding it - also, it is the round button that is present next to the side button. This is a crucial part of bridging up the desired option.
When you are done holding this Crown for a few seconds, you will see the resetting option pop up on the screen. You will have to select this option in order to erase the content and also all the settings on your gadget.
Step 4: Confirm the Reset
Once you see the option of reset appearing on the screen, you can tap on it. The Apple Watch will then be able to prompt you to confirm your choice. In order to proceed with this, you can tap on the reset button once more. The second tap is going to confirm that you really want to erase everything that is on the gadget.
After you are done with the confirmation, your gadget will begin to erase all its data and settings. This process typically takes a few minutes, so you have to be patient while it is completed. After it’s done, the device will be restored to its factory settings, allowing you to set it up just like new.
What Happens After Resetting the Apple Watch?
When you are done with all the procedures, your Apple Watch is going to be like the day when you first got it. All the previous settings will be gone and all the apps and data will be erased from it. You will even be required to go through the initial process of setup again.
When the reset is done, you can turn on the gadget and you will be going to a welcome screen that is going to give you a prompt to set your device up. You can pair it up with your iPhone like you did before.
During the process, you will also have the option to restore your gadget from a previous backup if it is available. This is going to help in getting your settings and data back so you will not have to reconfigure everything from scratch.
If you do not have a backup, you will have to start fresh with it, which can also be a good thing. You can enjoy customizing it in a new way. Either way, you can regain access to your device.
