How to change a watch strap
Clipz-it
To change a watch strap, identify its attachment system, release each half of the strap, then fit the new strap until it is secure. The method depends on the watch: Apple Watch has release buttons, while other models may use a QuickFit button, a spring-bar lever or an attachment that needs dismantling.
At a glance
- Time: a few minutes, depending on the attachment system.
- Tool needed: none for button or lever attachments; a suitable tool may be needed for a conventional spring bar or screws.
- Difficulty: easy for a quick-release attachment, intermediate for an attachment that needs dismantling.
- Summary: identify the attachment, remove both parts of the strap, fit the compatible replacement and check that it is secure.
To choose a replacement, browse the Apple Watch strap collection if your watch is an Apple Watch.
How to change a watch strap: the quick method
Start by identifying your smartwatch’s attachment system. Place the case on a soft cloth and examine the attachment before applying pressure.
To change a smartwatch strap, place the case face down on a soft cloth, then identify the attachment on each side. On an Apple Watch, hold down the release button and slide the strap out. On a Garmin QuickFit attachment, operate the strap’s button; on a spring bar with a lever, move the small tab inwards. Then fit a strap whose attachment matches your watch exactly. Check that each side is engaged, then tug gently before wearing the watch.
Sources: Showroomprivé, “How to Change a Smartwatch Strap?”; Montre.com, “Changing a Watch Strap”.Detailed steps
For an Apple Watch, a Garmin or a Samsung Galaxy Watch, the safe procedure is to identify the attachment, release the strap without forcing it, fit a compatible replacement and check its attachment.
-
1
Identify the attachment system
Turn your watch face down on a soft cloth and examine the join between the strap and the case. Look for a release button, a QuickFit button, a small lever on a spring bar or a screw. The watch name alone is not enough to determine the method: check the attachment on your watch and on the replacement strap.
-
2
Prepare the case and the new strap
Remove the watch from your wrist and lay the case flat, with the screen protected by the cloth. Place the new strap beside the old one to compare both attachments. If your watch uses a spring bar between the case lugs, check the width of this gap in millimetres before fitting the replacement.
-
3
Release the first part of the strap
On an Apple Watch, hold down the button on the back of the case, near the slot, then slide the strap sideways. On a Garmin QuickFit strap, operate the attachment button to release it from its spring bar. On a spring bar with a lever, push the tab inwards and gently move the strap away from the case.
Tip: if nothing moves, examine the attachment again. Resistance often means the mechanism has not been fully released. -
4
Remove the second part
Repeat the method suited to your watch’s attachment on the other side of the case. Keep spring bars, screws and small parts in a container if the new strap needs to reuse them. Check that the attachment points are clean and that no component appears bent or damaged.
-
5
Fit the new strap
Align each attachment with its fitting point, then engage the strap according to its system: slide it into the Apple Watch, clip it onto the QuickFit spring bar or place the ends of the lever-operated spring bar into the holes in the case. Follow the same process for the second side. If the attachments do not align naturally, stop fitting and check compatibility again.
-
6
Check that the strap is secure before wearing the watch
Gently pull each half of the strap in the direction it could come free. Visually check that the attachments are correctly positioned and that the spring bar, where present, sits in both mounting points. If one side slides, lifts or has play, remove it and refit it.
Variations by model and attachment
An Apple Watch, a Garmin and a Samsung Galaxy Watch do not necessarily share the same mechanism. Identify the actual attachment and confirm strap compatibility with your exact watch model.
| Watch or system | Attachment to look for | How to remove the strap | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch | Release button on the back of the case | Hold down the button and slide the strap out | The new strap is designed for the Apple Watch model |
| Garmin with QuickFit | Button on the strap attachment | Operate the button and release the attachment from the spring bar | The new attachment matches the required system and size |
| Watch with a lever-operated spring bar, including some Garmin and Samsung models | Small movable tab underneath the strap | Move the tab inwards to release the spring bar | The strap width matches the lug width, in millimetres |
| Watch with a conventional spring bar or screws | Spring bar without a visible lever or a screw attachment | Use the appropriate tool for the attachment you identify | The attachment components are kept and refitted correctly |
On a Garmin Forerunner, the generation and exact model reference matter more than the name “Forerunner” alone. Before buying or fitting a strap for a Forerunner 965, 235, 35, 30 or 10, compare your watch’s attachment with the manufacturer’s information or the strap specifications. Likewise, for a Samsung Galaxy Watch, confirm the spring-bar type fitted rather than assuming that the entire range uses the same mechanism.
On a Festina, Herbelin or another watch with lugs, measure the lug width if the strap fits between two projections on the case. Showroomprivé points out that the strap must be the same width as the gap between the lugs. The material, whether silicone, leather, nylon or metal, does not replace this mechanical check.
What should you do if the strap resists or will not stay secure?
Do not force a watch strap that resists. Identify the attachment again, check its alignment and inspect each attachment point before wearing the watch.
If an Apple Watch strap does not slide while you press the button, keep the case flat and make sure you are pressing the button for the side you want to remove. Release it, reposition your fingers, then try again with steady pressure. If the mechanism appears jammed, avoid inserting an object that could damage the slot.
If a lever-operated spring bar falls out while you change a Samsung Galaxy Watch strap or another watch strap, find it before continuing. A missing, bent or incorrectly engaged spring bar cannot hold the strap correctly. Check both ends of the spring bar after fitting and start again if either end comes out of its mounting hole.
Finally, a strap that comes free under a gentle tug may be incorrectly engaged or incompatible. Check the attachment system, then the width in millimetres where the watch has lugs. For more detail on choosing a replacement, read our guide to choosing a smartwatch strap.
Frequently asked questions
The following questions cover the most searched-for methods for Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner and Samsung Galaxy Watch, as well as choosing an attachment that needs no tools.
How do you change an Apple Watch strap?
To change an Apple Watch strap, place the case face down on a soft cloth. Hold down the release button near the strap, then slide that part out of its slot. Repeat on the other side. Then slide each part of the new compatible strap into place and tug gently to check that it stays secure.
Can you change a watch strap without tools?
Yes, a strap with a release button, a Garmin QuickFit attachment or a lever-operated spring bar can generally be removed without tools. First identify the mechanism on your watch, then operate only the movable component designed for this purpose. A conventional spring bar without a lever or a screw attachment requires a suitable tool.
How do you change a Garmin Forerunner 965 strap?
To change a Garmin Forerunner 965 strap, start by examining the attachment fitted to your watch and check the replacement strap’s compatibility information. If the attachment has a QuickFit button, operate it to release the strap from the spring bar. If it has a small lever, move it inwards. After fitting, check that both sides are secure.
Does the same method work for every Garmin Forerunner watch?
No, Garmin Forerunner watches should not be treated as though they all share the same attachment. For a Forerunner 235, 35, 30 or 10, examine the attachment on the watch and consult the information for its exact model before removing the strap. Look for a button, a lever, a conventional spring bar or screws, then use the corresponding method.
How do you change a Samsung Galaxy Watch strap?
To change a Samsung Galaxy Watch strap, first identify the attachment on the model you own. If the strap has a lever-operated spring bar, push its small tab inwards to release one end, then remove the strap. Fit the new compatible strap and check that both ends of each spring bar are engaged in the case.
What should you do if the new watch strap will not stay secure?
If your new watch strap will not stay secure, remove it before wearing the watch. Check that its attachment system matches the case and that each button, spring bar or screw is correctly engaged. For a strap fitted between lugs, also check the lug width in millimetres. A strap that still moves after refitting must be replaced with a compatible one.
Sources
The sources below explain the principles of replacing a strap and checking lug width. For instructions specific to an exact model, also consult the manufacturer’s documentation.
- Showroomprivé : How to Change a Smartwatch Strap?
- Showroomprivé : How to Change a Watch Strap?
- Montre.com : Changing a Watch Strap
- Lavish Diaries : Changing a Smartwatch Strap Easily
Browse Clipz-it straps for Apple Watch and check compatibility with your watch before choosing.
Shop now
