HOW TO Clean up your Apple Watch

1 Check app installs

If like us you tend to install a lot of iPhone apps, you might want to disable the Automatic App Install setting in the Watch app’s General page. When enabled, this automatically installs Apple Watch version of new apps on your phone.

2 Find space hogs

While you’re in the Watch app, use General > Storage to take a look at what’s taking up space on your Apple Watch. You can’t delete things from here, but you can see if there are unexpected apps you might want to uninstall.

3 Change your faces

At the top of the main Watch app page you’ll see your installed Apple Watch faces. If you want to reorder them or remove them, just tap the Edit link at the top right and you’ll see the familiar grab handles and delete buttons.

4 Change the App View

The standard Grid View is pretty, but if you have a lot of apps it gets pretty complicated. If you’re struggling to find apps quickly, go into the App View page of the Watch app and change it to List View. You can do this from your Watch.

5 Edit your apps

It’s wise to go into the list of apps to remove unwanted or forgotten ones, or to install apps you didn’t know were available. Just scroll down on your Watch app’s main screen to see what’s installed and what else you might want to install.

6 Check for updates

We’d strongly advise against disabling Automatic Updates (in Settings > General); without it your Watch could be unprotected when Apple finds and fixes security issues or bugs. If you do, make sure you do a manual check regularly.

7 Get a clean slate

If your Apple Watch is acting weird or you just feel like starting from a factory-fresh watchOS installation, you can reset your Apple Watch by going to Settings > General > Reset. The first option is a complete factory reset.

8 Fix the grid

If you scroll down in the Reset page you’ll see another option here: Reset Home Screen Layout. This option won’t touch any of your personal data or uninstall any apps; it just resets the Home Screen to its original appearance.

9 Unpair your iPhone

If passing your Apple Watch on, it’s crucial you unpair it from your iPhone; if not, Activation Lock will prevent it from pairing with another iPhone. To unpair, use the Watch app, tap All Watches and then the ‘i’ button next to yours.