Save time by following these steps before you bring your device to the Apple Store. (Please note that computer trade-in is currently available only online.)
Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together as you unpair them.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to the My Watch tab and tap your watch at the top of the screen.
Tap the info button next to the watch you want to unpair.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your data plan.
If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan.
If you don’t want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, remove your plan. If you aren’t going to pair with a different watch or iPhone, you might need to contact your provider to cancel your network subscription.
Tap again to confirm. You might need to enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock. Before erasing all content and settings on your Apple Watch, your iPhone creates a new backup of your Apple Watch. You can use the backup to restore a new Apple Watch. After your Apple Watch unpairs, you’ll see the Start Pairing message.
How to back up with iCloud
Connect your device to a Wi‑Fi network.
Go to Settings > [your name] and tap iCloud.
Tap iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi‑Fi network until the process completes.
How to back up with iTunes
Connect your device to your computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15, open Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes.
If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. If you’ve forgotten your passcode, get help.
If you want to save Health and Activity data from your iPhone or Apple Watch, you need to encrypt your backup:
Select the box called Encrypt [device] backup and create a memorable password.
If you don’t need to save your Health and Activity data, you can make a backup that isn’t encrypted. Just click Back Up Now.
Write down your password and store it somewhere safe as there’s no way to recover your iTunes backups without it.
If you’re using iOS 10.3 or later, tap Settings > [your name]. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Tap Sign Out again, then tap Delete from My [device] and enter your Apple ID password. Then go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
Go back to Settings and tap General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. If you turned on Find My [device], you might need to enter your Apple ID and password.
If asked for your device passcode or Restrictions passcode, enter it. Then tap Erase [device].
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap the My Watch tab.
Tap your watch’s name at the top of the screen.
Tap the info button.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
For cellular models of Apple Watch, tap Remove [Network Provider] Plan. If you aren’t going to pair with a different watch or iPhone, contact your provider to cancel your network subscription. Provider fees may apply.
Enter your Apple ID password to turn off Activation Lock. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it.
Tap again to confirm. When you unpair, your iPhone will try to create a backup of your Apple Watch. If you get a new Apple Watch, you can use the backup to set it up.
Apple Trade In
Get an estimate now. Get instant credit at the Apple Store.
Trade in your eligible device at the Apple Store for instant credit towards your next purchase, or get an Apple Store Gift Card you can use anytime. If your device isn’t eligible for credit, we’ll recycle it for free.
We believe every device has value. Although your device doesn’t qualify for trade-in value, just send it to us and we’ll recycle it for free.
Genius Bar
How to prepare your device for a service appointment.
To protect your information like photos and contacts, as well as save time, follow these steps before you get service for your device. If your device won’t turn on or respond, finish as many steps as you can.
Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi‑Fi network until the process completes.
How to back up with iTunes
Connect your device to your computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15, open Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes.
If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. If you’ve forgotten your passcode, get help.
External drive connected to your Mac, such as a USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire drive
External drive connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11ac model) or AirPort Time Capsule
AirPort Time Capsule
Mac shared as a Time Machine backup destination
Network-attached storage (NAS) device that supports Time Machine over SMB
Select your storage device as the backup disk.
When you connect an external drive directly to your Mac, you might be asked if you want to use the drive to back up with Time Machine. Select Encrypt Backup Disk (recommended), then click Use as Backup Disk.
If Time Machine doesn’t ask to use your drive, follow these steps to add it manually:
Open Time Machine preferences from the Time Machine menu in the menu bar. Or choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, then click Time Machine.
Click Select Backup Disk (or Select Disk, or Add or Remove Backup Disk).
Select your external drive from the list of available disks. Then select ”Encrypt backups” (recommended) and click Use Disk.
If the disk you selected isn’t formatted as required by Time Machine, you’re prompted to erase the disk first. Click Erase to proceed. This erases all information on the backup disk.
When you go in for service, make sure you take these things with you:
Your device
The power cables and adapters
Any accessories you may be having problems with
The name and password of your macOS user account (in case you need to log in to your Mac at the service location). And if you’re using a firmware password, please turn it off before you get service
Your Apple ID and password (in case you need to erase your device and turn off Find My Mac)
Your sales receipt, if possible (in case your service requires proof of purchase)
A form of personal identification, like a driving licence, passport or other photo ID
Your iPhone backup also includes a backup of your Apple Watch.
How to back up with iCloud
Connect your iPhone to a Wi‑Fi network.
Go to Settings > [your name] and tap iCloud.
Tap iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi‑Fi network until the process completes.
How to back up with iTunes
Connect your iPhone to your computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15, open Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes.
If a message asks for your iPhone passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. If you’ve forgotten your passcode, get help.