Can I use any strap for Apple Watch?

When Apple announced the Apple Watch at its keynote in March, it had a very warm welcome. It wasn’t just about the technology though, as it’s the first Apple product that really allows you to pick and choose exactly what your device will look like with a multitude of straps available. They ranged from cheap Sports Bands to the rather expensive Link Bracelet, but when prospective buyers saw the prices, many changed their minds.

In this article, we’re going to show you how to make your Apple Watch compatible with any standard 20mm watchstrap with a £15 accessory that you can buy right now.  

There are a variety of official Apple Watch straps available directly from Apple, ranging from the fluoroelastomer Sports Band to the Link Bracelet. The issue isn’t the design or the material used, but instead the price – Sports bands cost £39 each, which is reasonable, but from there the price jumps up to £129 for a Milanese Loop, Classic Buckle or Leather Loop strap.

It doesn’t stop there either; the Modern Buckle will set you back £209, and the Link Bracelet costs more than the entry-level Apple Watch Sport, at an eye-watering £379.

But why are they so expensive? Sure, they look beautiful and were designed with the Apple Watch in mind, but many people won’t be able to justify spending £299 on an Apple Watch Sport and a further £209 on a modern buckle strap. This is especially true when you consider you can get a standard 20mm watchstrap for a few pounds online.

Don’t worry; there are ways around this issue. Accessory makers have started to manufacture Apple Watch strap adapters designed to make any 20mm watchstrap compatible with your Apple Watch, costing as little as £15. This allows you to use a number of different watchstraps with your Apple Watch without having to fork out hundreds of pounds for them.

See also: Apple Watch 2 rumours

How to use any strap with the Apple Watch

So the question is, how can you use any watchstrap with the Apple Watch? Mobile Fun provided the Apple Watch strap adapter for this how to, and you can get the 38mm or 42mm variation for only £14.99.

Step 1: Buy a watchstrap. The good news is that the majority of Apple Watch strap adapters can fit any 22mm watchstrap, giving you an almost endless variety of straps for your Watch. These can be picked up from the High Street or via Amazon, with a stainless steel Milanese mesh strap costing only £28 compared to the £129 Apple variation.

Can I use any strap for Apple Watch?

Step 2: Using the provided screwdriver, unscrew the two screws from each of the adapters. Make sure to keep the screws safe by putting them on a plate or into a cup, as they’re very small.

Can I use any strap for Apple Watch?

Step 3: Separate the curved bar from the main body of the adapter and pull apart. Thread the two parts of the bar through either side of the loop of your 22mm watchstrap and reconnect.

Step 4: Carefully align the bar (with the strap attached) to the main body of the Apple Watch adapter. Once aligned, screw the screws back into the holes at either side to reconnect the bar and secure the band into place.

Can I use any strap for Apple Watch?

This is what the adapter looks like when attached to the Apple Watch without a strap

Step 5: Repeat the process for the other strap adapter and re-attach the straps to your Apple Watch.

Viola! You’ve now got a brand new strap for your Apple Watch, at a fraction of the cost of an official Apple strap.

See also: Apple Watch buying guide – which is the best Apple Watch for you?

Can I use any strap for Apple Watch?

Apple introduced a few new bracelets alongside the Apple Watch Series 7. The Series 7 won’t launch until later in 2021, but it is possible to buy these straps now. You may be wondering if these new bracelets are exclusive to the new Series 7 or if you can also wear them with older watch models.

With the Apple Watch coming in so many different case sizes it is no wonder people are confused about which of the different watch straps will fit the watch they own. Will Apple’s new range of Watch bands be compatible with your Apple Watch? We find out.

What are the new Apple Watch Bracelets?

Apple has introduced the following new straps:

  • Solo Loop: English Lavender, Chalk Pink, Marigold, Clover, Dark Cherry, Abyss Blue, Starlight (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Braided Solo Loop: Maize, Dark Cherry, English Lavender, Abyss Blue (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Sports Band: Clover, Marigold, Clover, Dark Cherry, English Lavender, Abyss Blue, Starlight, Midnight (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Sports Loop: Maize/White, Pink Pomelo/Tan, Abyss Blue/Moss Green, Dark Cherry/Forest Green, Product RED, Tornado/Gray (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Nike Sports Band: Olive Grey/Cargo, Magic Ember/Crimson, Midnight Navy/Mystic Navy, Anthracite/Black, Pure Platinum/Black (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Nike Sports Loop: Cargo Khaki, Summit White, Black (Buy from Apple for £49 / $49)
  • Leather Link: Golden Brown, Dark Cherry, Sequoia Green, Midnight (Buy from Apple for £99 / $99)
  • Modern Buckle (38mm, 40mm or 41mm only): Wisteria, Chalk, Midnight (Buy from Apple for £149 / $149)

Which strap goes with your Apple Watch?

Apple has made six different case sizes for the Apple Watch and all these sizes are currently on sale:

  • Series 3 (and older): 38 mm and 42 mm
  • Series 6/ SE: 40 mm and 44 mm
  • Series 7: 41 mm and 45 mm

Apple explains band compatibility thus:

“You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size. The 41mm bands work with 38mm and 40mm cases; the 45mm bands work with 42mm and 44mm cases. The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The 40mm and 41mm cases work with band sizes 1–9; the 44mm and 45mm cases works with band sizes 4–12.”

Confused? You aren’t alone!

Generally any watch strap will be compatible with any Apple Watch, however there are some differences as to which Apple Watch strap you can use depending on whether you opted for the large or small version of your Apple Watch generation.

Some versions are designed just for the smaller watch and others only available on the big watch. For example, the Modern Buckle is only available for the 38mm, 40mm and 41mm Watch.

When you purchase a Apple Watch strap you may need to specify which Watch it is for, large or small, but generally you can get any of the bracelets for any of the watches.

Can I use one of the new Apple Watch straps?

The answer is: Yes. The new bracelet sizes are also compatible with older watch models. We have combined the new 41mm Solo Loop in English Lavender with the 40mm Series 6 in aluminum (blue), as well as the new 45mm Nike Sport Loop in black with the 44mm Apple Watch SE in black aluminum.

The bracelet fits perfectly and the watch fits securely on the wrist. The direct comparison between an original 44mm Apple Watch leather strap and the new 45mm Nike Sport Loop also shows that Apple has not changed anything about the closure, which is why the new bracelets are also compatible with older models – even the Series 3.

This article originally appeared on Macwelt. Translation by Karen Haslam.

Which type of strap is best for Apple Watch?

Apple Watch Solo Loop. The best sport Apple Watch band overall. ... .
Apple Sport Loop. The best nylon Apple Watch band. ... .
Apple Sport Band. The best basic Apple Watch band. ... .
Nike Sport Band. ... .
Marge Plus Genuine Leather. ... .
Nomad Modern Band. ... .
Casetify 2-in-1 Italian Leather Watch Band. ... .
INI Adjustable Leather Strap..

Will a 44mm band fit a 40mm Apple Watch?

All replies. You need a band for the 42mm or 44mm watch. Neither the 40mm or 38mm will fit.

Can you put a normal strap on a Nike Apple Watch?

All replies Yes - bands can be changed on Apple Watch Nike+. Any Apple Watch band sold to date by Apple will fit any Apple Watch of the same case size (38mm or 42mm), including Apple Watch Nike+.

Will a 40mm band fit a 42mm watch?

Answer: A: No. 40mm bands will fit 38mm Series 3 and earlier, 44mm bands will fit 42mm Series 3 and earlier.