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t0mat0

macrumors 603
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Aug 29, 2006
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What’s the best way to upgrade to a new Apple Watch if you’re upgrading to a new iPhone at the same time?
 
I have the same question. After doing some research, and thinking about it, I’m guessing that the following may be the way to go about it.

Unpair old watch
Setup new iPhone
Pair new watch with new iPhone

Is this right? I’m wondering if using Quick Start is faster than just using iCloud to transfer. I have no experience with using Quick Start.
 
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Is anything lost when going to a new watch? (Remember the fotchas of pls of losing data if encrypted backup wasn’t used )
 
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Unpair old watch.
Back up old phone. (Encrypted)
Restore back up to new phone
Pair new watch.
 
Don't have to.

Turn on new phone near old phone. Setup the new phone by using the old phone. It'll automatically transfer the watch over and do the backup/restore via. iCloud. Super easy.

Follow the instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201269

Great link. I was wondering about the process of upgrading both phone and watch. Which should I do first? Plus, I completely forgot about Quick Start for upgrading the phone. Thanks.
 
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Great link. I was wondering about the process of upgrading both phone and watch. Which should I do first? Plus, I completely forgot about Quick Start for upgrading the phone. Thanks.

Excellent question as I am about to pick both from UPS CC.
 
Make sure in settings, iCloud, backup
That it’s a recent and full completed backup (and what version - I had fun as my iPhone was on 12.1 beta <facepalm>).

The restore will need to have fully completed on the iPhone before you sort the watch from what I could see.
 
I ended up using my iTunes backup for the update. First I unpaired my old watch then paired the new watch. Unfortunately that probably wasn't the best first step in that I needed to then unpair the new watch in order to do a "good" backup of my old iPhone. I encrypted the backup so my passwords and health data would be retained.

When I connected my iPhone Xs to my iMac, I received a message an update needed to be installed before the Xs could be connected. Did the update and then the XS was recognized by iTunes. Restored the backup of my old X. When it was done I changed the name on the new phone so I could easily tell the old and new apart.

Then I paired the new watch to the new iPhone.

I have store credit cards in my digital wallet. Doing the watch first meant I ended up reconnecting the cards three times...when I paired the new watch to the old phone...when I restored the backup to the new phone...and when I re-paired the new watch to the new phone. Doing the phone first would have meant I would have only needed to do the cards twice.

FYI...it took quite some time for the apps to load onto the new phone. During that time some apps didn't work correctly on the watch, in particular Dark Sky. Once the apps were all done loading Dark Sky worked fine.
 
One other thing I found out accidentally last year. Under Apple Health | Sources, don't delete your old AW pairings in an effort to "clean up" your new iPhone. This may have changed, but it's not worth finding out the hard way.

Don't have to.

Turn on new phone near old phone. Setup the new phone by using the old phone. It'll automatically transfer the watch over and do the backup/restore via. iCloud. Super easy.

Follow the instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201269

Cool, great advice. I don't think that worked a year ago - if it did, I missed it. Definitely an easier path.
 
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Don't have to.

Turn on new phone near old phone. Setup the new phone by using the old phone. It'll automatically transfer the watch over and do the backup/restore via. iCloud. Super easy.

Follow the instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201269


This is the best way. New ophone will automagically transfer your old watch the new phone, then turn on new watch near new phone and it will automagically ask if you want to pair.

Then unpair old watch (unless you want to keep it to swap back and forth)
 
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This is the best way. New ophone will automagically transfer your old watch the new phone, then turn on new watch near new phone and it will automagically ask if you want to pair.

Then unpair old watch (unless you want to keep it to swap back and forth)

Steve,

This sounds like automagic for sure but it contradicts the Apple Quick Start Guide. Have you done it this way and had it work properly. Sorry for asking but just wanted to double check. TIA

Update: I went the encrypted backup route using iTunes. First I upgraded both my series 2 watch and iPhone 6+ to AW 5 and IOS12. I also ended upgrading my MacBook to Mojave because iTunes on High Sierra wouldn't recognize my iP6. Started the iPXs and went manual then restored from encrypted backup. The phone setup asked did I want to setup my Series 2 watch and I said yes. Then I started up Series 4 watch and paired it with the new phone. Everything transferred over nicely and I am a happy camper.
 
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