Activation Lock is a security feature designed by Apple to protect your Apple Watch and other Apple devices from unauthorized use or theft. If you encounter Activation Lock on your Apple Watch, it means that the device is linked to an Apple ID, and you need to enter the Apple ID and password to unlock it.
Find My and Activation Lock for your Apple Watch are automatically turned on when you set up Find My on your paired iPhone. With Activation Lock, your Apple ID and password are required before someone can:
Unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone.
Pair and use your Apple Watch with a new iPhone.
Turn off Find My on your device.
Activation Lock can help you keep your device safe, even if it's in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering your Apple Watch. Even if you remotely wipe your device, Activation Lock can continue to prevent someone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Search turned on and remember your Apple ID and password.
Follow these steps on your paired iPhone to check if Activation Lock is on:
On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
Tap the Alt for Image information button next to your Apple Watch.
If you see Find My Apple Watch, then Activation Lock is on.
If your Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can use Find My to help locate it and protect your information. Simply sign in to iCloud.com or the Find My app to locate your lost watch on a map, play a sound to help you find it, use Lost Mode to lock it, or remotely erase all your personal information.
Before you send your Apple Watch for repair, sell it, or give it away, you must disable Activation Lock on your Apple Watch. Simply unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone:
Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone together.
On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
Tap the Alt for Image information button next to your Apple Watch.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
For Apple Watch cellular models, tap Remove Plan [Carrier]. If you're not pairing with a different Apple Watch or iPhone, you may need to contact your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription.*
Enter your Apple ID password. If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can reset it.
Tap again to confirm.
*Operator fees may apply. Contact your carrier for more details.
If you can't access your iPhone or Apple Watch, or if your Apple Watch is not paired with your iPhone and you need to turn off Activation Lock:
Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
From the quick access menu at the top right, select Find My. You may need to log in.
Select All devices, then click your Apple Watch.
Click Erase Apple Watch. Select Next until the device is erased.
Click the Delete Alt Not Provided for Image button next to your Apple Watch.
Activation Lock is a security feature designed by Apple to protect your Apple Watch and other Apple devices from unauthorized use or theft. If you encounter Activation Lock on your Apple Watch, it means that the device is linked to an Apple ID, and you need to enter the Apple ID and password to unlock it.
Here are the steps you can take to deal with Activation Lock on your Apple Watch:
If you purchased a used Apple Watch and it's still linked to the previous owner's Apple ID, contact them and ask them to remove the device from their Apple ID. They can do this by going to their iCloud account settings and removing the Apple Watch from their devices.
If you have access to the Apple ID and password used to set up the Apple Watch, you can reset the device. Here's how:
On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Reset.
Choose "Erase All Content and Settings."
Enter the Apple ID password when prompted.
If you are unable to contact the previous owner or if you don't have the necessary information to unlock the Apple Watch, contact Apple Support. They may be able to assist you in verifying ownership and removing the Activation Lock.
If you purchased the Apple Watch from an authorized reseller, provide them with proof of purchase. They may be able to assist you in resolving the Activation Lock issue.
Remember, it's essential to go through legitimate channels and not attempt to bypass Activation Lock through unauthorized methods, as this could violate Apple's terms of service and potentially lead to the device being permanently locked.