Will erasing an Apple Watch trigger Activation Lock if 'Find My Watch' is disabled?

Apple does not provide any information if FindMy is turned on with a device you have purchased by checking its serial number. If you are relying on a third party site for this information, you are going to be very disappointed.

I suspect here is how it is going to go:

• You will need to reset the watch because it is unusable
• The watch will not be able to be set up because it will ask for the original owners credentials.
• That leaves you with the last option to recycle.

It is recommended to never buy a used watch from a third party where there is no chance of getting a refund. In many cases the seller will ghost you after the sale and you are left with a useless device. I understand you are a student and don't have the money for a new watch, so I would recommend looking on the Apple site for a refurbished watch. You can get one for as little as $209, and considering money was already wasted on the current purchase, it likely would not have been much more for a legitimate watch that would actually work.

Refurbished Apple Watch - Apple Watch SE - Apple Watch Series 9 - Apple

I highly recommend you do NOT throw good money after bad.

The Apple Watch is not user serviceable. You can't legitimately buy genuine parts for it. You don't have the skills or knowledge necessary to repair it yourself. If you did, you wouldn't be here asking.

Marbert_Bacanaya wrote:

1. Hi everyone!

I recently bought a second-hand Apple Watch Series 2 (stainless steel with a sapphire screen), but it's currently bootlooping when charging. I checked the serial number on a website, and it says that "Find My Watch" is OFF.

Before I try fixing it (planning to replace the battery), I want to confirm:

If "Find My Watch" is OFF, does that mean the watch is not Activation Locked?

2. Can I erase all contents and settings on the watch without worrying about it asking for the previous owner’s Apple ID?

I don’t have the previous owner’s contact information since I bought it from a vintage shop, so I want to be 100% sure before resetting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple doesn't sell parts for the watch at all. You can't legitimately buy genuine Apple Watch parts for any model, much less one that old.

Honestly, it's not worth the cost of even a cheap knockoff battery, assuming you can find one, to get that watch running again. No matter what you paid for it, it wasn't worth it.

Cut you losses and recycle it.