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profmjh

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 7, 2015
1,734
1,800
UK
Where do I find the back-up files? They're not under iCloud along with my iPhone back-up.
 
Interesting question. Does the watch actually get backed up at all? Does it have anything that doesn't exist on the phone in some capacity?
 
Interesting question. Does the watch actually get backed up at all? Does it have anything that doesn't exist on the phone in some capacity?

From what I've read (can't find link at moment) it backs up as part of your phone backup. I erased all content and settings (testing it out) and when it rebooted it wanted to know if it should restore or setup as new (so the backup is going somewhere).
 
I'm all but sure it is backed up to your iPhone. Remember 3ed party Apps are small and are actually part of their iPhone app, so they are already on your iPhone.
 
I've wondered this too. I checked my phone usage, iCloud usage and backup data (via settings) and there's no indication of Apple watch. The app isn't even counted in the phones storage use figures. Obviously they have to go somewhere..

BUT WHEREEEEEEE!????
 
I've wondered this too. I checked my phone usage, iCloud usage and backup data (via settings) and there's no indication of Apple watch. The app isn't even counted in the phones storage use figures. Obviously they have to go somewhere..

BUT WHEREEEEEEE!????

It says "When you back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes, your iPhone backup will also include your Apple Watch data." so why not try to see if you get your settings back by resetting your watch back to factory default.
 
Mine shows up under the phone Storage in Settings. That's how I deleted an older backup of SG watch that I got rid of.
 

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Mine shows up under the phone Storage in Settings. That's how I deleted an older backup of SG watch that I got rid of.

Under General > Usage > Storage? I checked there earlier and couldn't see it. What is it called?

Edit: I see you added a graphic. But how do you know that had the backup in it? Also, I went back and checked and I don't seem to have any entry for the Apple Watch app for mine.
 
Under General > Usage > Storage? I checked there earlier and couldn't see it. What is it called?

Edit: I see you added a graphic. But how do you know that had the backup in it? Also, I went back and checked and I don't seem to have any entry for the Apple Watch app for mine.

I'm not sure what triggers the backup to be made. I just naturally looked there and found mine. There's no place in the Watch app on my phone to trigger the backup.

Edit: Maybe when you go to Erase All Content and Settings it make a backup during that process?
 
I've wondered this too. I checked my phone usage, iCloud usage and backup data (via settings) and there's no indication of Apple watch. The app isn't even counted in the phones storage use figures. Obviously they have to go somewhere..

BUT WHEREEEEEEE!????

It's backed up to your phone
 

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Edit: Maybe when you go to Erase All Content and Settings it make a backup during that process?

The document I linked to above does mention that it does this, but I didn't think that would be the only time that it is backed up. But I definitely don't have an entry for the Apple Watch app under storage. I'm not going to worry too much about it, since given the nature of the watch, there isn't much that I would lose even if I did have to start over.
 
go to settings on your iPhone, then usage, then manage storage and you will see a list of apps and such with storage options

apple watch will be there and so will your backups
 
The watch settings will be included in your iPhone backups, either to iCloud or iTunes. When you set up a new watch with an iPhone that has a backup that includes previous watch settings, you will be promoted whether you want to set up the watch as new or restore from backup.
 
The backup is somewhere and it is automatic. I had a Space Gray for a few days and sold it. I ten got a White band sport and when I paired with my iPhone it asked if i wanted to restore from backup. 5 minutes later and it had all my old settings and apps. Nice!!
 
It backs up in the same iCloud backup your phone does. You can't separate the watch backup from the phone backup. It's a package deal. Don't worry only as long as your phone is backing up your watch will back up too.
 
go to settings on your iPhone, then usage, then manage storage and you will see a list of apps and such with storage options

apple watch will be there and so will your backups

Yours has a listing there? As I mentioned above, mine does not. It seems that you do definitely get a backup made when you unpair a watch. But I'm not sure when backups are made at other times.
 
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