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.
How to use any strap with the Apple Watch: official Apple Watch straps
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 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.
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.
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?
Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You’ll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
