Will Watch data persist across an iOS clean install?

[herp]

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18 with Watch Ultra 2

I just got a Watch Ultra 3 but need to upgrade iOS to set it up. I'd like to do a clean install as well.

After I upgrade both phone and WU2 to the latest software, I'll download the ipsw file to clean install my phone in DFU mode. My assumption is I should unpair the watch prior to the clean install. Is this correct? How can I ensure my watch/health data stays on the watch when unpairing, and then is synced to the phone after re-pairing?

 

[jz0309]

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18 with Watch Ultra 2

I just got a Watch Ultra 3 but need to upgrade iOS to set it up. I'd like to do a clean install as well.

After I upgrade both phone and WU2 to the latest software, I'll download the ipsw file to clean install my phone in DFU mode. My assumption is I should unpair the watch prior to the clean install. Is this correct? How can I ensure my watch/health data stays on the watch when unpairing, and then is synced to the phone after re-pairing?

your health data is stored in iCloud (unless you explicitly turned that off), and while all other data is backed up to the phone during un-pair - since you are planning to do a clean install on that iPhone, your watch backup would be wiped.
But, there is not really any "watch data" other than watch faces and cellular info. If I were you, I'd setup the U3 as "new". Again, your health data will sync back from iCloud. Some people have reported that the iCloud sync might take a while, as in a few hours to a day or so.

 

[herp]

your health data is stored in iCloud (unless you explicitly turned that off), and while all other data is backed up to the phone during un-pair - since you are planning to do a clean install on that iPhone, your watch backup would be wiped.
But, there is not really any "watch data" other than watch faces and cellular info. If I were you, I'd setup the U3 as "new". Again, your health data will sync back from iCloud. Some people have reported that the iCloud sync might take a while, as in a few hours to a day or so.

I have iCloud health off. You're right the rest of the watch data isn't substantial - easy enough to re-do that. But my health data is the primary concern. It is so aggravating there is no granular backup to computer option for iOS.

 

[jz0309]

I have iCloud health off. You're right the rest of the watch data isn't substantial - easy enough to re-do that. But my health data is the primary concern. It is so aggravating there is no granular backup to computer option for iOS.

turn it on, the sync will take some time though. 10 years of using AW on iCloud mine is just under 1GB ...
Health data is NOT on the watch, it gets sync'd to iPhone, I do not backup my iPhone to iCloud, just health and passwords and bookmarks. And while it's backed up to my Mac, my iPhone, I would not know how to restore just health data.
Other option is of course not to do a clean install on iPhone, I've migrate my new iPhones for the past 10 years or so, never been an issue.
My suggestion: turn on iCloud backup for Health

 

[Shirasaki]

Watch data is retained on your iPhone. Clean install iOS will wipe that. I am not sure if iCloud backup can back up watch data.