How to Wipe Your Smartwatch Before Selling

With Apple’s launch of its latest smartwatches alongside the iPhone 17, many users are considering an upgrade. If you’re one of them, you will need to remove all your personal data before you trade in your old smartwatch. 

Whether you have an Apple Watch, a Samsung Galaxy, or a Google Pixel one, in this guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to wipe your smartwatch and prepare it for its next owner.

How to Clear An Apple Watch

How you wipe your Apple Watch depends on whether you still have it or you’ve already given it away. 

Credits: iDB

If You Still Have the Apple Watch

1. Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch close to each other.

2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

3. Tap the My Watch tab > All Watches.

4. Tap the (i) icon next to your watch.

5. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

6. If prompted, tap Remove Cellular Plan (for cellular models).

7. Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock.

8. Confirm and wait for the unpairing/reset process to finish.

Your iPhone will automatically back up your Apple Watch in the process.

If You’ve Already Given Away the Apple Watch

1. Go to iCloud.com and log in.

2. Select Find iPhone > All Devices > choose your Apple Watch.

3. Click Erase Apple Watch > click Next until done.

4. Then click the X next to the watch to remove it from your account. This ensures Activation Lock is fully disabled, allowing a new user to set it up.

Once you wipe your Apple Watch, it will erase all your data such as photos, music, apps, and any cards you added to your Apple Pay. It will also turn off iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center, and other services. However, your data won't be deleted from iCloud when you clear your device.

How to Wipe a Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung smartwatches can be reset directly from the watch, using the Galaxy Wearable app, or via recovery mode if you're locked out. Before you wipe your device, make sure to back up your data and unpair the Bluetooth connection between the watch and your phone.

Using Watch Settings

1. On your watch, go to Settings > General > Reset.

2. Tap the checkmark to confirm reset.

3. Follow on-screen prompts to complete.

For models like the Galaxy Fit2, swipe down from the Quick Settings panel, go to More options, and tap Reset.

Using the Galaxy Wearable App (on Android or iPhone)

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app.

2. Tap Watch settings > General > Reset.

3. Tap Reset again to confirm.

If you have a Galaxy Fit or Fit 2, go to About Band on the Galaxy Wearable app, click on Reset Band, and tap Reset again to confirm.

Credits: Samsung

Using Reboot Mode (If Locked Out)

1. Hold both Home (Power) and Back keys until the watch reboots.

2. Quickly press the Home key until Reboot mode appears.

3. Use the Home key to scroll to Recovery, then press to select.

4. For Wear OS models, swipe down to choose Wipe data/factory reset, then swipe to confirm.

After the reset, you'll need to log in with the same Samsung account you used previously.

How to Wipe a Google Pixel Watch

Pixel Watches use Wear OS and include eSIM and Google account integration. Here’s how to properly reset yours before giving it away.

Back Up Your Watch

1. Place your watch on its charger and ensure Wi-Fi is connected.

2. On your phone, open the Google Pixel Watch app.

3. Tap Google > Backup > turn on backup.

Make sure you plan ahead as the backup can take a few days to complete.

Erase Watch & eSIM

1. On your Pixel Watch, swipe down and tap Settings.

2. Tap System > Disconnect & reset.

3. Tap Erase eSIM, then Confirm.

4. The watch will reset to factory settings.

Credits: Google

FAQs About Wiping Your Smartwatch

Below we’ve compiled some of the most frequent questions we get when it comes to resetting your smartwatch.

How do I clear an Apple Watch before selling it?

Use the Apple Watch app on your iPhone to unpair the watch. This disables Activation Lock and resets the device.

Can I erase my Apple Watch if I don’t have it anymore?

Yes - go to iCloud.com, erase the watch via Find My Watch, and remove it from your account.

How do I reset my Samsung Galaxy Watch?

Go to Settings > General > Reset on your watch, or use the Galaxy Wearable app.

How do I remove an eSIM from a Pixel Watch?

On your watch, go to Settings > System > Disconnect & reset and confirm Erase eSIM.

Whether you're upgrading to the latest Apple Watch Series 11 or simply decluttering your tech drawer, properly wiping your smartwatch is a must. It protects your personal data, prevents activation or account lock issues, and ensures the next user can set it up without a hitch.

If you’ve finished wiping your device and are ready to move on, why not have a look at our smartwatch trade-in prices. From Samsung Galaxy to Google Pixel and Apple, we’ve got the best deals to give your device a second life and make some money in the process.