I have a Series 3 Apple Watch, I’m trying to factory reset it, but every time I try it’ll always go back to the Home Screen as if I didn’t just go through the process. And also I unpaired it from the old device so it doesn’t show up on the Find my.

Question

Level 1

4 points

I have a Series 3 Apple Watch, I’m trying to factory reset it, but every time I try it’ll always go back to the Home Screen as if I didn’t just go through the process. And also I unpaired it from the old device so it doesn’t show up on the Find my.

(And also this Apple Watch use to be my mothers. And she forgot the passcode.) At first I looked up information and it said to unpair if you want to take of Activation lock which would allow me to put it on my iPhone. It said something about allowing the watch to connect to the internet to finish the process (since I didn’t know passcode I couldn’t get in to connect it to internet) but I ended up erasing it from the iPhone which probably also messed up the process. So now I don’t know the passcode and it goes back to Home Screen ever time I can finally get it to the spinning dot wheel of the factory process.

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 27, 2023 5:51 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

javaliga

Level 10

120,531 points

Oct 27, 2023 6:54 PM in response to Hello9_

Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone else from using an Apple Watch if it's ever lost or stolen.

About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature that cannot be bypassed. Only the previous owner can remove the lock by using their Apple ID & password. Apple will not help you find the previous owner. If the previous owner cannot or will not remove the lock, then the watch is useless to you or anyone else. Dispose of the watch properly. In the future, see the 'Before you buy a watch from a third-party' section in:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support

If your mother is the ORIGINAL owner, then see the 'Start a support request' section in:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

If you forgot the passcode (not the Apple ID password), then see:

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode - Apple Support

Put your watch on its charger and keep it there until you complete those steps.

Reply

I have a Series 3 Apple Watch, I’m trying to factory reset it, but every time I try it’ll always go back to the Home Screen as if I didn’t just go through the process. And also I unpaired it from the old device so it doesn’t show up on the Find my.

Similar questions