Gifted Apple Watch is still activated on previous owners account

I have been given an apple watch that was someone elses as they got a new one it will not activate on my acct because it says its still on another acct please help



[Re-Titled by Moderator]


Apple Watch Series 4

Posted on Jan 18, 2023 3:21 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2023 3:24 PM

Hi there,


It sounds like that this Apple Watch is activation locked. Activation lock is one of the best theft deterrent systems out there, and only the original owner can remove the lock. So, you will need to contact the original owner. If you cannot contact them, you cannot use this watch, apple will not remove the lock for you.


Recycle the watch and count it down as a bad experience if the previous owner cannot help you


See this link for further reference about buying activation locked devices

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250001038


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2023 3:24 PM in response to sroberts63

Hi there,


It sounds like that this Apple Watch is activation locked. Activation lock is one of the best theft deterrent systems out there, and only the original owner can remove the lock. So, you will need to contact the original owner. If you cannot contact them, you cannot use this watch, apple will not remove the lock for you.


Recycle the watch and count it down as a bad experience if the previous owner cannot help you


See this link for further reference about buying activation locked devices

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250001038


Jan 18, 2023 4:48 PM in response to sroberts63

When you say gifted, do you know the person who gifted the watch to you? If you do, they didn't prepare the watch appropriately for a new user. If you know this person, present this link to them and have them do what is detailed in it --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support


If you don't know this person or they cannot do what is required for you to be the next user of the watch, do as WheeliNick suggested and recycle the watch responsibly.

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Gifted Apple Watch is still activated on previous owners account

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