When an Apple Watch is paired with an iPhone, all the data is automatically backed up to the iPhone. You don’t need to manually back up your data, or set up an automatic backup option. Provided your iPhone and Apple Watch are close by, all your data will be synced between the two devices, and the iPhone itself will back up data when it’s plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
Apple also creates a backup of your Apple Watch data when you unpair it from your iPhone. This allows you to easily set up a new Apple Watch or restore your existing one using just your iPhone.
When your iPhone is backed up to iCloud, your Apple Watch data is also included. As a result, when you set up a new iPhone, your existing Apple Watch data is also ported over. Apple Watch data is also included when you back up your iPhone to a computer.
It’s worth noting that this only applies to Apple Watches that have been set up with an iPhone. If you’ve set up a family member’s Apple Watch without an iPhone, such as a child’s Apple Watch, their data is backed up to their iCloud account. This happens automatically when the Apple Watch is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s how to make sure iCloud backups are enabled for a family-managed Apple Watch:
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Open the Settings app on the Apple Watch.
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Tap the account name at the top.
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Tap iCloud.
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Make sure “iCloud Backups” are turned on.
