How to Take Off the Apple Watch Strap Safely in 5 step & Upgrade Your Style

Black Apple Epsom Leather Watch Band With Hand stitching 2

How to Take Off the Apple Watch Strap Safely and Upgrade Your Style

Quick Guide: Learn exactly how to take off the Apple Watch strap without scratching your device, and discover the benefits of upgrading to a handmade leather strap.

Why You Might Want to Remove Your Apple Watch Strap

The Apple Watch is more than just a piece of technology—it’s a personal fashion statement. Whether you’re swapping your strap to match an outfit, cleaning the watch case, or upgrading to a more premium material like leather, knowing how to take off the Apple Watch strap properly is essential. Removing the strap incorrectly can lead to scratches, damage to the release mechanism, or even a broken connector.

Luckily, Apple has made the process very user-friendly, and with a few simple steps, you’ll be able to switch bands quickly and safely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step and offer tips for maintaining both your watch and your new strap.

What You’ll Need

  • A clean, flat surface to work on
  • A soft microfiber cloth (to protect your screen)
  • Your Apple Watch (any model)
  • Optional: mild soap and water to clean the back of your watch case

Step-by-Step: How to Take Off the Apple Watch Strap

  1. Turn off your Apple Watch (optional): Although not required, turning off the device ensures no accidental taps or triggers during removal.
image
Locate the release buttons.

2. Lay the watch face-down: Place the Apple Watch face-down on the microfiber cloth to avoid scratches on the screen.

3. Locate the release buttons: On the back of the watch, you’ll see two narrow oval buttons—one near the top strap and one near the bottom. These are the band release buttons.

    image 1

    4. Press and hold a release button: Use your fingertip or fingernail to press and hold one of the release buttons firmly.

      image 2
      Press and hold a release button.

      5. Slide the strap to the side: While holding the button, slide the band horizontally to the left or right. It should come out easily. If not, press the button again and try a gentle wiggle.

      6. Repeat for the other side: Follow the same process to remove the second half of the strap.

        Pro Tip: Never force a band out of the watch slot. If it doesn’t slide easily, double-check that you’re fully pressing the release button. For stubborn straps, use a small burst of canned air to clear out dust in the release slot.

        Cleaning Before Installing a New Strap

        image 3
        Cleaning Before Installing a New Strap

        After removing the strap, take a moment to clean the watch case and strap adapters. Wipe down the back of the Apple Watch with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly. This prevents grime or sweat from affecting your new strap and keeps your device hygienic—especially if you wear it daily.

        Why Upgrade to a Handmade Leather Apple Watch Strap?

        Now that you’ve mastered how to take off the Apple Watch strap, it’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade to something more refined. Silicone or nylon bands are great for workouts, but for a classic, stylish look, nothing beats leather. A handcrafted leather Apple Watch strap can instantly transform your watch into a premium fashion accessory.

        • Crafted from full-grain or exotic leather for durability and elegance
        • Perfect for business, casual, or formal wear
        • Compatible with all Apple Watch sizes: 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm
        • Pre-installed adapters for easy installation

        Our leather straps are meticulously hand-stitched, offering both comfort and sophistication. Whether you’re dressing up for a meeting or heading out for dinner, a leather strap is the detail that elevates your entire look.

        Explore Our Handmade Leather Straps » <- Click here.

        How to Install Your New Strap

        Installing a new strap is just as easy as removing the old one. Simply slide the new band into the same grooves until you hear a soft click. Make sure it’s secure by gently tugging both sides. If it moves or feels loose, remove and reinsert it to ensure proper alignment.

        Final Thoughts

        Knowing how to take off the Apple Watch strap is a basic but essential skill for every Apple Watch owner. It gives you the freedom to personalize your style, maintain your watch’s cleanliness, and most importantly—elevate your overall appearance with quality accessories.

        Whether you’re new to the Apple Watch or a longtime wearer, make the most of your investment by treating it right. Upgrade to a handmade leather strap and enjoy comfort, craftsmanship, and style that lasts for years.

        Thanks for reading! Ready to upgrade your Apple Watch look? Browse our full collection of premium leather watch straps here: https://tsleathergoods.com/product-category/watch-strap/

        Contact Us at:

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        What size should I get for my strap?

        One of the fears of buying straps online is that you might not know if the strap is of the correct length to suit your wrist. We hope that by the time you are done reading this page, you will know what size you should get. There are two methods that we will run through:

        1. Method 1 – Measure your current strap
        2. Method 2 – Not-So-Quick Math
        Size Chart
         

        Method 1 – Measure your current strap

        This method is the quickest way to know what size to order, but it might not be very precise. What you will need is an existing two-piece strap on your watch. It does not have to be a leather strap.

        1. Measure the length of the long and short piece of the strap. (Example: 105mm on the long strap, and 80mm on the short strap)
        2. Choose the size with the following size chart – the closest to the total length of your existing straps. (The closest size in this example would be M (115mm + 70mm = 185mm)
        3. Note that this is still an approximation, and you should adjust accordingly if your current strap does not fit your wrist perfectly.

        Method 2 – Measure your wrist size

        If your cannot measure your current strap for some reasons, you would need to measure your wrist size and purchase the strap size according to the guidelines below. If you are between sizes (for e.g. wrist size of 16.7cm), we recommend to size up.

        Step 1: Measure your wirst with the rope:

        Step 2:Measure the rope length with the ruler:

        And then following the size chart below to know your strap length:

        Find Your Watch Strap Lug Width

        If you’re looking to purchase a strap for your watch, you will need to know the lug width of your watch. Lug width refers to “A” in this schematic below.

        There are two ways to find out the lug width of your watch.

        1. Firstly, you can Google “<watch brand and model> lug width” and see if there is an answer from the brand’s website, or some other websites.
        2. Alternatively, you can simply take a ruler and measure the lug width directly on your watch.

        Lug widths are typically in whole numbers, and while the most common lug widths are between 18-22mm, they can go down to 8mm or up to 32mm even. Our ready stock straps are available in 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm and 26mm. If you need other lug widths, you can have it custom made.

        You will then need to purchase a strap of the same lug width. For example, if your watch has a lug width of 20mm, you will need to purchase strap with a width of 20-16.

        Note: Our Widths typically have two numbers, for example 20-16. The first number (20) refers to the lug width (“A” in the schematic above). The second number (16) refers to the buckle width (“B” in the schematic above). You just need to ensure that the first number matches the lug width of your watch.