How to clean and care for your Apple Watch band

You can find band care information for Apple Watch, including how to clean leather, stainless steel, and other Apple-branded bands.

By Chris Smith - Senior Editor
1 Min Read

Many third parties make accessory bands for Apple Watch, but such bands may not fit properly, and they may interfere with the Apple Watch Wrist Detect feature or with Compass. They may contain materials that cause skin sensitivities or other health concerns, and may even damage Apple Watch.

For best results, use only Apple-branded or Apple-authorized bands. Cleaning them takes a little care, too, starting with removing the band from your Apple Watch.

How to clean Apple-branded bands. Remove the band from Apple Watch before cleaning. See Remove and change Apple Watch bands.

Note: This cleaning information is only for Apple-branded bands. For other bands, follow the care information that came with the band.

Wipe the leather portions of the bands clean with a lint-free, nonabrasive cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed, and let the band air dry thoroughly before re-attaching it to Apple Watch. Leather bands are not water resistant, so don’t soak them in water, and don’t store them in direct sunlight, at high temperatures, or in high humidity.

All other bands and clasps can be wiped clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth that’s lightly dampened with fresh water if necessary. Before re-attaching the band to Apple Watch, dry it thoroughly with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. Stainless steel bands aren’t water resistant.

Senior Editor
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Chris Smith is a senior editor at GeeksChalk based in Canada. He likes to think of himself as a jack of all trades (and a master of at least a few), though he mainly focuses on iPhones and Macs. Often covering both at the same time. When not surrounded by various Apple devices while putting them through their paces, Chris can be found streaming the latest movies or series, gaming on his PS5, or getting fresh air on a hike in the beautiful wilderness of British Columbia.
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