Change your Apple Watch band

Use these steps to remove your band.

Make sure that you use a band that corresponds to your Apple Watch case size. You can use a band that's designed for Apple Watch (1st generation) and Apple Watch Series 1, 2, and 3 with Apple Watch Series 4 and later and Apple Watch SE as long as the sizes are compatible:

  • Bands for 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm cases are compatible with cases of all three of those sizes.
  • Bands for 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm cases are compatible with cases of all three of those sizes.

  • Change your band

  • Solo Loop

  • Milanese Loop

  • Link bracelet

Change your band

If you have a Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop

If you have a Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop, simply pull from the bottom of the band to stretch it over your wrist when you put it on and take it off.

Apple Watch with Braided Solo Loop band

Using the Milanese Loop

In 2018, the Milanese Loop was redesigned so that you could open the band completely by sliding the magnetic closure through the band connector, or lug. On earlier Milanese Loop models, the closure won't slide through the lug.

Apple Watch with Milanese Loop band

How to remove the Link Bracelet

You must separate the Link Bracelet into two pieces before removing the band from your Apple Watch. While removing the band, don't force the band or twist it. Use the steps below to avoid damaging the band or clasp.

Close the butterfly closure

If it's open, fold in the butterfly closure one side at a time until you feel and hear a click.

Folded butterfly closure on link bracelet.

Hold down a quick release button

The quick release buttons are on the inside of the bracelet. You only need to hold one down.

Quick release buttons on watch band links.

Gently pull the links apart

Hold down a quick release button while you pull. You should separate the band into two pieces before removing the band from your Apple Watch.

Separated links.

Remove your band

Hold down the band release button, then slide the band across to remove it.


Band sliding out of watch case.

Learn more

Never force the band into the slot. If you don't feel or hear a click, slide the band to the left, then to the right. If the band is installed properly, it won't freely slide until you hold down the band release button.

If the band still doesn't lock, center the band, and push it into place. Then carefully wiggle the band up and down. Don't wear your Apple Watch if the band is sliding.

Diagram of band wiggling up and down.

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