How to Remove Activation Lock From an Apple Watch

Find your situation, then go to the method it names:

Your situation	What to do	Jump to
Owner with the paired iPhone	Unpair the watch in the Apple Watch app	Method 1
Owner without the watch or iPhone	Erase and remove it at icloud.com/find	Method 2
Bought it used	Ask the previous owner, or send Apple a support request with proof of purchase	Method 3

What Is Activation Lock on Apple Watch?

Activation Lock is a Find My feature that stops anyone else from using your Apple Watch if it's lost or stolen. It turns on automatically when you set up Find My on the paired iPhone. After that, your Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) email address or phone number and password are required before anyone can:

• Unpair the watch from your iPhone.
• Pair and use the watch with a new iPhone.
• Turn off Find My on the watch.

Even after a remote erase, the lock can still stop anyone from reactivating the watch.

How to Check if Activation Lock Is On

Check it in the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone:

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone.
2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches.
3. Tap the More Info button (ⓘ) next to your watch. If you see Find My Apple Watch, Activation Lock is on.

Buyers without the paired iPhone can check during setup: if pairing asks for the previous owner's Apple Account password, the lock is still on.

How to Remove Activation Lock

The Apple Account owner removes it by unpairing the watch (Method 1) or at icloud.com/find (Method 2); a buyer goes through the previous owner (Method 3).

Method 1: Unpair the Watch With Your iPhone

The Apple Account owner does this, with the watch and paired iPhone together:

1. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.
2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
3. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches.
4. Tap the More Info button (ⓘ) next to your watch.
5. Tap Unpair Apple Watch, then tap Unpair [watch name]. On a cellular model you're selling, tap Remove Cellular Plan.
6. Enter your Apple Account email address or phone number and password.
7. Tap again to confirm.

Unpairing also erases the watch. When you unpair, your iPhone tries to create a backup of it. Every unpair option is in how to unpair an Apple Watch before you sell it.

Method 2: Remove It at iCloud.com/find

The Apple Account owner does this on the web when the iPhone or watch is out of reach:

1. Sign in at icloud.com/find with your Apple Account.
2. Under All Devices, click the watch's name.
3. Click Erase, then Next, entering your password if asked.
4. Add a phone number if you like, click Next, then Erase.
5. Click the Remove button under the erased watch.
6. Click Continue.
7. Click Deactivate & Remove if AppleCare+ Theft and Loss covers the watch.

For an offline watch, Apple's general page gives a shorter route: select it at icloud.com/find and click Remove This Device.

Method 3: Bought It Second-Hand? Ask the Previous Owner

The seller has to turn the lock off with their Apple Account password:

1. Contact the seller and tell them Activation Lock is still on.
2. Ask them to use Method 1, or Method 2 if they no longer have the watch.
3. Pair the watch with your iPhone once the lock is gone.

Can't Reach the Previous Owner?

You need proof of purchase documentation. With it, you can start an Activation Lock support request with Apple. Apple doesn't say how long a request takes or promise a result. If a business or school owns the watch, Apple says to contact its IT department or manager instead.

Does Resetting the Watch Remove Activation Lock?

No. Erasing the watch in its Settings app, or resetting it without the passcode, leaves the lock on. Apple says the watch "is still protected by Activation Lock" and needs the Apple Account and password that set it up before it pairs again.

Is There a Way to Bypass Activation Lock?

No bypass appears on Apple's support pages. The supported routes are the owner's password (Methods 1 and 2) or a support request with proof of purchase. We don't cover third-party removal tools or services.

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Before You Buy or Sell a Used Apple Watch

Apple lists these checks before you buy a used watch:

• Identify the model; see how to find which Apple Watch series you have.
• Confirm the seller removed Activation Lock and erased the watch.
• Treat a passcode lock screen or Home screen as a watch that still needs erasing.
• Confirm any cellular plan was removed and cancelled.

Once it's clear, pair an Apple Watch with a new iPhone to set it up as yours.

Forgot Your Apple Account Password?

Reset it with Apple first, because Methods 1 and 2 need it: see If you forgot your Apple Account password. If you don't know which account set up the watch, Apple suggests trying an email address or phone number you regularly use for Apple services.

After Removing It: Set Up or Reset the Watch

Once the lock is off, set the watch up and pair it with your iPhone. If it won't connect, see Apple Watch won't pair. For Samsung, Garmin and Fitbit watches, see smartwatch reset steps by brand.

Activation Lock: Quick Answers

Does a hard reset remove Activation Lock?

No. A force restart (side button and Digital Crown held for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears) restarts the watch, and erasing all content and settings "does not remove Activation Lock", Apple says. Both are covered in How to Restart or Factory Reset an Apple Watch.

How do I reset my Apple Watch to pair again?

Unpair it from the paired iPhone (Method 1): Apple says the watch is erased, Activation Lock is removed, and it's ready to set up again. The full steps are in How to Unpair an Apple Watch From Your iPhone.