Apple Watch frozen? Force restart, unpair and reset
A frozen Apple Watch can usually be saved with a two-button combination. If the watch won't connect to your iPhone, unpairing can help.
- Most common cause
- a software bug or low battery
- Time
- 5–15 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 340–950 zł for a battery or screen replacement
Unpairing and resetting delete data from the watch. Your health data stays on the iPhone, but wait until the watch has finished syncing and the iPhone has saved a backup of it. A normal restart does not delete data.
Step by step
Charge the watch
Put it on the charger for at least 30 minutes. A low battery is often the reason it freezes.
Do a normal restart
Hold the side button, tap the power icon and drag the Power Off slider. You can't do this while the watch is charging. Then turn it back on with the side button.
Force restart
Hold the side button and the Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Only let go then.
Update watchOS
On your iPhone, open the Watch app and check for updates. The watch should be on the charger and within range of the phone.
Check the connection to your iPhone
Turn on Bluetooth, bring the watch close to the phone and restart both devices. Turn off Low Power Mode on the iPhone, because it can limit the connection.
Warning: unpair the Apple Watch
This deletes data from the watch. On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap My Watch → All Watches, tap the “i” icon next to the watch and choose Unpair Apple Watch. The iPhone automatically saves a backup that you can restore after pairing again. Wait until the backup finishes.
Warning: reset directly on the watch
If you don't have your iPhone at hand, on the watch go to Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings. The watch will lose all its data. Then pair it again from scratch.
- The watch doesn't respond to a force restart and doesn't charge.
- The screen is lifting or bulging (swollen battery).
- The watch won't pair with any iPhone.
- The watch got wet or took a hard knock.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Apple Watch battery replacement | 340–820 zł |
| Screen (glass) replacement | 480–1350 zł |
| Water damage repair | 270–950 zł |
| Diagnosis | 70–200 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
You can restart and unpair for free, so start with those. Replacing the battery in a newer watch usually pays off, but in an old one it can cost more than it's worth. Take a look at the calculator to judge it.
Check if repairing your watch is worth it
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
How do I force restart an Apple Watch?
Hold the side button and the Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
Will I lose my health data after unpairing?
Health data stays on the iPhone, but the watch's settings and data are erased. That's why you should wait for the backup to finish.
Why can't I turn off the watch while it's charging?
That's how the system works. Take the watch off the charger and only then turn it off.