How to swap out your Apple Watch band

One of the better design touches of the Apple Watch, since the very first watches started shipping, has been the method for switching watch bands. It takes less than a minute and minimal effort. Here's how you do it.

Products used in this guide

• Apple: Apple Watch Series 4 ($399)
• Apple: Apple Sport Loop ($50)

How to switch out your Apple Watch band

Make sure your Apple Watch is off before removing the band. This ensures you don't accidentally enter incorrect passcodes and lock yourself out of your Apple Watch. Press and hold the side button for two seconds and then drag the Power Off slider to the right.

1. Remove your Apple Watch from your wrist.

2. Turn your Apple Watch over so the face is turned away from you.

   

3. Press and hold the band release button on one end of the watch.

4. Gently slide the band piece out of its attachment groove and repeat for the other side of the watch.

   

5. Slide each half of your new band into the attachment grooves on each side of the Apple Watch.

6. Put your Apple Watch back on.

   

You have now successfully swapped out the bands for your Apple Watch.

What you'll need

In order to change out the bands on an Apple Watch, you'll need two things: the watch (which will come with a band of its own) and the new band.

The Apple Watch Series 4 is the best version of the Apple Watch yet, and comes in two new sizes, 40mm and 44mm. This is up from the 38mm and 42mm of previous Apple Watch models. Despite this change in size, both the 40mm and 44mm Series 4 watches use the same bands that fit the 38mm (40mm) and 42mm (44mm) watches.

The Apple Sport Loop is a light, breathable alternative to Apple's silicone Sport bands. It comes in a wide variety of colors including Cape Cod Blue, Nectarine, Hibiscus, and (Product)Red.