Taking your Apple Watch off your Verizon plan might seem a little daunting, but with the right steps, it's a straightforward process. Whether you're upgrading, switching carriers, or simply no longer need cellular connectivity on your watch, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
How to Take Your Apple Watch Off a Verizon Plan: A Comprehensive Guide
Ready to liberate your Apple Watch from its Verizon cellular plan? Let's dive in! This step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process smoothly, ensuring you don't miss any crucial actions.
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| How To Take Apple Watch Off Verizon Plan |
Step 1: Understand Your Goal and What It Means
Before we begin, let's clarify what "taking your Apple Watch off a Verizon plan" entails for you. Are you:
Selling or Gifting Your Apple Watch? If so, you'll want to completely unpair and erase it, removing all your data and Activation Lock. This also means removing the cellular plan.
Upgrading to a New Apple Watch on Verizon? You'll need to unpair your old watch and then activate the new one, potentially transferring your existing cellular plan.
Switching Carriers for Your Apple Watch? This usually involves removing the Verizon plan and then activating it with your new carrier.
No Longer Needing Cellular on Your Apple Watch? You can simply remove the cellular plan while keeping the watch paired to your iPhone for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions.
Understanding your specific intention will guide which options you select during the unpairing process, especially regarding the cellular plan.
Step 2: Prepare for Disconnection
A little preparation goes a long way to ensure a smooth transition.
2.1 Gather Necessary Information
Your iPhone: Ensure your iPhone, which is paired with your Apple Watch, is nearby and fully charged.
Apple ID and Password: You'll need this to disable Activation Lock, especially if you're unpairing your watch completely.
My Verizon Account Login: Have your Verizon username and password handy. You might need to access your account online or through the My Verizon app.
Account Owner/Manager Access: If you're not the primary account holder, ensure you have the necessary permissions (Account Owner or Account Manager) to make changes to the cellular plan.
2.2 Back Up Your Apple Watch (Optional but Recommended)
While unpairing usually creates a backup automatically, it's always a good idea to ensure you have a recent backup of your Apple Watch. This is especially important if you plan to restore it to a new Apple Watch later.
How to check for a backup:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap the My Watch tab.
Go to General > Apple Watch Storage.
Look for "Backups."
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Step 3: Unpair Your Apple Watch from Your iPhone
This is the primary action that initiates the removal of the cellular plan.
3.1 Using the Apple Watch App on Your iPhone
This is the recommended method as it also removes Activation Lock, which is crucial if you're selling or giving away your watch.
Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom of the screen.
At the top of the screen, tap All Watches.
You'll see a list of your paired watches. Tap the information button (i) next to the Apple Watch you want to remove.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch. You'll be prompted to confirm.
Crucially, if you have a cellular Apple Watch model, you'll see an option to "Remove [Carrier Name] Plan" (e.g., "Remove Verizon Plan") or "Keep Cellular Plan."
Select "Remove [Carrier Name] Plan" if you want to cancel the cellular service for this watch on Verizon. This is what you're aiming for!
Choose "Keep Cellular Plan" if you intend to immediately pair it with the same iPhone and plan to reactivate the cellular service or transfer it to a new watch on Verizon.
You may be asked to enter your Apple Account password to disable Activation Lock. This is an important security feature that prevents someone else from using your watch. Enter your password and tap Unpair.
Confirm the unpairing process. Your iPhone will attempt to create a backup of your Apple Watch before unpairing. The watch will then erase all content and settings and return to its factory state.
3.2 Erasing Your Apple Watch Directly (If iPhone is Unavailable)
If you don't have your paired iPhone, you can erase your Apple Watch directly. However, this method will not remove Activation Lock, which means the watch will still be linked to your Apple ID. If you're selling or giving away the watch, you'll still need to use the Find My app (see Step 4) to remove Activation Lock.
On your Apple Watch, go to Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Reset.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
If prompted, enter your passcode.
For GPS + Cellular models, you'll be given the option to keep or remove your mobile plan. Choose to remove your plan.
Tap Erase All to confirm.
Step 4: Confirm Cellular Plan Removal with Verizon
While unpairing and selecting "Remove Cellular Plan" should initiate the cancellation with Verizon, it's always a good practice to double-check and confirm directly with Verizon. Sometimes, changes can take up to 15 minutes to reflect.
4.1 Through the My Verizon Website
Open a web browser and sign in to My Verizon (
www.verizon.com/myverizon Navigate to Services & perks or Manage services & perks.
Look for Number Share or your specific Apple Watch line.
Select Unsubscribe or Manage next to the desired Apple Watch line.
Review the message and accept any Terms & Conditions if prompted.
Confirm the cancellation.
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4.2 Through the My Verizon App
Open the My Verizon app on your iPhone. (Ensure it's updated to the latest version).
If prompted, enter your password, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Tap the Mobile tab (or Home tab, depending on your plan).
Navigate to My services & perks or look for your devices section.
Find the Number Share option or the specific Apple Watch line.
Tap Unsubscribe for the desired line, then tap Continue and Confirm.
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4.3 Contacting Verizon Customer Service (If Needed)
If you encounter any issues or want to be absolutely sure, contact Verizon Customer Service directly.
Call: Dial *611 from your Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204.
Chat: Use the chat feature on the My Verizon website or app. Type "Cancel" into the Ask a question box and follow the prompts to speak with a live agent.
When speaking with a representative, clearly state that you wish to cancel the cellular plan for your Apple Watch and provide the watch's phone number or associated line.
Step 5: Verify Activation Lock Status (If Selling/Gifting)
If you're selling or giving away your Apple Watch, it's absolutely critical that Activation Lock is removed. This happens automatically if you unpair through the Apple Watch app and enter your Apple ID password.
5.1 Check on iCloud.com
Go to
iCloud.com/find Sign in with your Apple ID.
Select All Devices.
If your Apple Watch is still listed, select it and choose Erase Apple Watch, then Remove from Account.
If the watch is no longer listed, Activation Lock has been successfully removed.
Step 6: What Happens Next?
Now that you've successfully taken your Apple Watch off the Verizon plan, here's what to expect:
6.1 Billing Cycle Impact
Verizon's cancellation policy usually means the cancellation is effective on the last day of your current billing period. You've likely paid for the full month of service, so you might want to time your cancellation towards the end of your billing cycle to maximize your usage.
If you had any promotional credits or device payment agreements tied to that Apple Watch line, these might be affected. Any remaining device payment balance will typically be charged on your next bill.
6.2 Apple Watch Functionality
Without a cellular plan, your Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular model) will still function fully when connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or when on a known Wi-Fi network. You'll still receive notifications, track fitness, use apps, and make calls if your iPhone is nearby.
Independent cellular functionality (making calls, sending messages, streaming music without your iPhone nearby) will cease.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about taking your Apple Watch off a Verizon plan, with quick answers:
How to disconnect my Apple Watch from Verizon online?
You can disconnect through the My Verizon website by signing in, navigating to "Services & perks" or "Manage services & perks," finding your Apple Watch line (often under "Number Share"), and selecting "Unsubscribe" or "Manage" to cancel.
How to remove the cellular plan from my Apple Watch without my iPhone?
You can erase your Apple Watch directly from the watch itself by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. During this process, you'll be given the option to remove the cellular plan. However, Activation Lock will remain unless you also remove it from your Apple ID via iCloud.com.
How to transfer my Apple Watch cellular plan to a new watch?
When unpairing your old Apple Watch, choose the option to "Keep Cellular Plan." Then, when setting up your new Apple Watch, select the option to "Set Up Cellular" and follow the prompts to activate your existing Verizon plan on the new device.
How to ensure Activation Lock is off my Apple Watch after removing it from Verizon?
After unpairing via the Apple Watch app and entering your Apple ID password, Activation Lock should be removed. You can verify this by going to
How to tell if my Apple Watch cellular plan is still active on Verizon?
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
You can check the My Verizon website or app under "Services & perks" or your device list. Alternatively, on your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Cellular. If a plan is listed and "Not in Use" or similar, it might still be active but not connected. Contact Verizon to confirm.
How to reactivate a cellular plan on my Apple Watch after removing it from Verizon?
If you want to reactivate a cellular plan on your Apple Watch with Verizon, you'll need to go through the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, select "Set Up Cellular," and follow the prompts to add a plan. This might involve signing into your Verizon account.
How to avoid early termination fees when removing an Apple Watch from Verizon?
Apple Watch cellular plans typically don't have separate contracts with early termination fees like phone lines. However, if you have an active device payment agreement for the watch, the remaining balance will be due upon cancellation of the line.
How to sell my Apple Watch after taking it off Verizon?
First, ensure you've completely unpaired and erased the watch, and confirmed that Activation Lock is removed (Step 5). This makes it ready for a new owner. Then, list it on your preferred selling platform.
How to use my Apple Watch without a cellular plan after removing it from Verizon?
Your Apple Watch will still function perfectly for most tasks when connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or when it's on a known Wi-Fi network. You'll receive notifications, use apps, track fitness, and more, but independent cellular functions will be disabled.
How to get a refund for unused service when canceling my Apple Watch plan with Verizon?
Verizon's policy typically charges for the full billing cycle in which you cancel. Refunds for unused portions of the month are generally not provided, so it's often best to cancel towards the end of your billing cycle.
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