Apple Watch: Creating a backup – here’s how

A backup is also important for the Apple Watch so that all your data is saved. We’ll show you exactly how this works for the Apple Watch and how to restore your Apple Watch from the update in this step-by-step tutorial.

Apple Watch: Create a backup

The contents of your Apple Watch are automatically backed up to the iPhone with which the Apple Watch is paired.

• This happens whenever the iPhone and Apple Watch are nearby and on the same Wi-Fi network; you don’t need to take any extra steps. The same applies to Apple Watches that are connected to your iPhone via the family configuration – as long as you have not deactivated this option.
• If the backup of your iPhone is stored in the cloud or on your computer, the backups of your Apple Watch that belong to that iPhone will also be stored automatically. If you have problems creating and backing up your iPhone, our next article might help you.
• If you unpair your Apple Watch and its iPhone, the latest backup data will still be backed up along with that of your iPhone, so you can restore your Apple Watch at any time.

This data is included in the Apple Watch backup

The following data is backed up in the automatic backups:

• App-specific data and settings
• Arrangement of apps on the home screen
• Clock settings
• Dock settings
• General System Settings
• Health and Fitness Data
• Message Settings
• Playlists and albums / tracks
• Music settings
• Synchronised photo albums
• Time Zone Settings
• Siri settings

Apple Watch: This data is not saved during backup

All settings regarding Bluetooth connections, your stored payment methods for Apple Pay and your access codes for your Apple Watch are not saved. Your messages are also only saved if your device is connected to iCloud.

Restore your Apple Watch from a backup

To restore your Apple Watch from a backup, for example after a failed system update, you need to do the following:

• Turn on the Apple Watch and make sure you pair the Watch again with the same iPhone it was paired with during the last backup.
• Do not click “Set as new device” under any circumstances, but select the “Restore from backup” option.
• Now you can select any of the recent backups of your Watch to restore it and use it again.