Second hand Apple Watch Activation Lock

Apple Watch is a smart device that has gained popularity throughout the years. This has resulted in the growth of the device’s secondary market.

However, many users who bought second-hand Apple Watch have found it iCloud-locked. If you become a victim, how can you unlock your iCloud-locked Apple Watch?

You can unlock your iCloud-locked Apple Watch using any of the following methods:

• With Apple ID and Password
• Via iCloud
• Unpair it from iPhone
• With an Unlock Service
• Contact the Previous Owner
• Ask for Help from Apple’s Customer Support

In this article, we will provide detailed information on how you can unlock your iCloud-locked Apple Watch.

Sounds interesting? Keep reading.

What is Apple Watch Activation Lock

Apple Watch Activation Lock is a Find My [1] feature designed to prevent anyone else from using your Apple Watch, iPad, or iPhone if ever it gets stolen or lost.

For instance, they will need the owner’s correct Apple ID and password to activate the device, even if it is reset.

The Apple Watch Activation Lock will be turned on automatically when you enable the Find My feature on your iPhone running iOS 7 or a later version.

When the Activation Lock is enabled on your Apple Watch, your Apple ID and password will be required before anyone can:

• Turn off the Find My feature on your device
• Pair and use the Apple Watch with a new iPhone
• Unpair the Apple Watch from your iPhone

There will be a message saying that “This Apple Watch is linked to an Apple ID. Enter the Apple ID and password that were used to set up this Apple Watch.”

This helps keep your device secure and increases the chances of finding it back if it gets lost.

For instance, even if someone erases your device, the Activation Lock will continue to prevent anyone from pairing your Apple Watch with another iPhone or iPad without your permission.

However, it is essential to keep the Find My feature turned on. Besides, you should remember your Apple ID and password.

How to Know if Your Apple Watch is iCloud-Locked

If you purchased a second-hand Apple Watch, it is vital to ensure it is not iCloud-locked.

Remotely Check

Fortunately, you can check whether the Apple Watch is locked by Activation Lock even if you don’t have it in your hand.

The only way to remotely check is to use an Apple Watch IMEI/Serial Number checker, here we highly recommend WipeLock IMEI Checker. WipeLock can check the iCloud Activation Lock status for all models of Apple watch.

Differing from other online checkers who just generate the results from an outdated database, WipeLock check the Apple watch manually to ensure the results 100% accurate.

If It’s on Hand

You need to switch on the Apple watch to view what shows up on the welcome screen.

If the Apple watch is iCloud locked, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. You will not be able to use the Apple Watch if you don’t have the correct login credentials.

This is an indication that you need to unlock your iCloud Apple Watch. However, you need to note that an ideal way to do this depends on a variety of factors, such as;

• Do you have the Apple ID and password
• Who was the previous owner of the device

We’re going to show you how you can perform the Apple Watch Activation Lock Bypass with or without a password.

Unlock iCloud-Locked Apple Watch with a Password

We have compiled the three methods you can use to unlock your iCloud locked Apple Watch with a password.

All three methods are straightforward. So, read carefully through them and try using any one of them.

Method 1. Unlock with Apple ID and Password

One of the most straightforward ways to unlock your iCloud-locked Apple Watch is by entering the Apple ID and password in the appropriate field whenever you are prompted.

However, for this method to work, you must know the Apple ID and password.

Sometimes, you might find it challenging to contact the previous Apple Watch owner to give you the appropriate Apple ID and password.

Method 2. Unlock via iCloud

If neither the iPhone nor Apple Watch is available for you, you can unlock your iCloud-Locked Apple Watch via the iCloud.com.

Here are the steps that you can use:

Step 1: Sign or log in to your iCloud account using your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Click on the Settings option and locate your Apple Watch.

Step 3: Erase your Apple Watch by clicking on the X next to it.

This will remove the Activation Lock from your Apple watch when it’s connecting to an WiFi network.

Method 3. Unpair iCloud-Locked Apple Watch from iPhone

This is another convenient method that you can use to unlock your Apple Watch Activation Lock with your password.

It is a straightforward method that entails the following steps:

Step 1: Access the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the My Apple Watch tab and select your Apple watch.

Step 3: Tap the info icon next to your Apple Watch and select to Unpair Apple Watch.

Step 4. Confirm to continue.

This method allows you to re-pari your Apple Watch with a different Apple ID if you want to. However, it is impossible to complete the process if the Apple ID credentials are not known.

Unlock iCloud-Locked Apple Watch without Password

If you do not have the Apple ID or password, you can use any of the following methods to unlock your Apple Watch from Activation Lock:

Method 1. Unlock with an Unlock Service

One way to unlock your Apple Watch Activation Lock is using the AppleiPhoneUnlock service. This is a user-friendly platform, and they can unlock your Apple watch within 24 hours.

The steps are much straightforward, you need to provide the IMEI or serial number of your Apple Watch.

You can obtain your IMEI or serial number from the case of your Apple watch. For details, check Apple’s official guide [2].

Benefits of This Method

• The iCloud lock will be permanently removed from your Apple Watch
• The Apple watch will be unpaired from the iCloud account of the previous owner
• This will allow you to activate and set up your Apple Watch with your own Apple ID

Method 2. Contact the Previous Owner

If you purchased a second-hand Apple Watch and it arrived with iCloud Activation Lock, you might be required to contact the previous owner to remove the iCloud lock.

They can either remove the Apple Watch from their iCloud account or share the Apple ID and password with you.

This method is ideal if you are trying to unlock Apple Watch that your friend or family member previously owned.

Cons of This Method

However, this method may not work for you if you do not know where the Apple Watch came from.

Method 3. Ask for Help from Apple’s Customer Support

If all the above methods fail, you can write an e-mail to Apple customer support and explain your issue.

Cons of This Method

Note that you will be required to prove that you are the original owner of the iCloud-locked Apple Watch. For instance, you should have a purchase receipt.

But if you do not have a purchase receipt, do not give up yet; give it a try. It can be worth it since you have run out of options.

Bonus: Things You Can Do with an iCloud Locked Apple Watch

1. Return the iCloud-locked Apple Watch to the Seller

If you purchased the iCloud-locked Apple Watch from eBay, you can follow the set return procedures and request a refund. Then ship the device back to the seller, and they will be able to refund you.

However, the return can be complicated if you had purchased the device from street vendors, as some vendors might not entertain your calls.

2. Sell the Apple Watch as Spare Parts

If you can neither unlock it nor return the Apple Watch to the seller for a refund, you can dismember some parts, such as the strap, screen, back casing, etc., and sell them.

Although this is not the best thing to do, it may do someone a big favor while you get back some of the cash you had invested in the device.

3. Swap the Device’s Logic Board

Although it might seem complicated, you can still save your iCloud-locked Apple Watch. For instance, replacing the Logic Board may end up unlocking the activation lock.

However, since Apple Watch is a delicate device, you should get a professional and trusted technician to do the swapping.

4 Re-sell the Apple Watch

You can still easily find a market for your iCloud-locked Apple Watch. For instance, you can reach out to other potential buyers using the same mechanism the previous owner used to reach you.

You can also market the device on various social media platforms. However, you will likely sell the device at a lower price than you bought.

5. Donate

Your iCloud-locked Apple Watch can be put to good use at universities or schools. For instance, students can experiment with the device during science classes.

The good thing is that you can get some universities or schools willing to pay you something in return for the device. But if they aren’t willing to pay, donate it.

6. Turn the Device into a Decoration

You can also put your iCloud-locked Apple Watch on your bookshelf or inside a glass box as decoration.

It will serve as a reminder to be careful the next time you purchase a second-hand device online.

Conclusion

Having an iCloud-locked Apple Watch can be heartbreaking if you do not have the Apple ID and password to unlock it. Fortunately, there are many different methods that you can use to unlock without a password.

The most optimal method would be having the support of the previous owner. However, you should consider your circumstances while choosing an ideal method.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, let us know via the comments section below.

Darren has been passionate about ios devices ever since he got his first iPhone since 2013, while he was still a student in junior high school. He currently uses an iPhone 11 and iPad Pro, and he’s become the go-to guy for many of his friends who have mobile device unlocking-related problems.

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