Apple Watch strap stuck? Here’s how to remove it

About a year after Apple released the first Apple Watch, I started getting messages from owners who were having trouble removing the strap (or bands, as Apple calls them) from their watch.

While I’ve been able to help these people loosen the bracelet without damaging the watch, I’ve never come across it myself.

Well today I have one of my own.

I just switched to that Apple Watch Ultra and just gave away my old one Apple watch series 7 a cleanup before letting it move on when I noticed one end of the strap was stuck.

And it was fixed quickly.

This tape has been on guard for a year and I don’t think I’ve removed it in that time.

Likewise: I made a big mistake with the Apple Watch

What better time to outline how to unstick a stuck Apple Watch band?

One thing about Apple is that the company designs things with a really tight tolerance, and that can sometimes work against customers. Small gaps and crevices fill up with dirt and grease and other random messes.

To remove a stuck tape backup, it helps to know how to hold it in place.

Review: I put the Apple Watch Ultra through a Tough Mudder: Here’s how it held up

To unlock a band, press this pill-shaped button on the bottom of the Apple Watch. Notice that I’m pointing at it with a metal tool here. I wouldn’t use this to press the button in case it scratches the case.

This forces a small dimple down on the strap, allowing it to slide out.

Two things can prevent this:

• The button can get stuck
• The indentation on the band may get stuck

Here I’m pressing the ribbon release button with a plastic pry tool from mine iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit. If you don’t have one of these, you can use a toothpick or something similar.

Sometimes it’s solved by methodically pressing back and forth along the button.

But not this time.

Time to unleash my secret weapon when it comes to repairs — isopropyl alcohol (what I call IPA for short). I use this for all sorts of things from cleaning circuit boards to freeing apple watch straps. You could use warm water but in my experience IPA is much more effective.

Likewise: This stuff is better than super glue for fixing broken plastic

Some people worry it might damage things, but I’ve been using IPA for 30 years with no problems. Use it sparingly, don’t submerge the watch in it, and you’ll be fine (but if you’re worried, use warm water).

note: Do not use lubes like WD-40 as it will make your tape stink! IPA evaporates without leaving any residue.

Oh, and the other secret weapon is cotton swabs (called cotton swabs here). Yes, they have uses beyond putting them in your ears (don’t put them in your ears!).

I pour a little IPA into the cap of the bottle, dip the cotton swab in and apply a little around the band release button.

I also apply a little to the edge of the band. IPA is very good at creeping into gaps and loosening stuck parts.

Next, press the button and edit the tape.

It may be necessary to apply IPA a few times.

And finally, success!

This end of the strap was really stuck, but with time I was able to remove it without damaging anything. I then used a little IPA on a Q-Tip to clean the end of the ribbon and the slot it went into and everything worked perfectly.