Q: I bought a previously owned Apple Watch from a big box store and it is still attached to the previous owners account. How do I reset or get it removed without knowing who the previous owner was?

The 'activation lock' must be removed and the processes completed by the original Apple ID

owner before another owner can use the item; did you read the article associated with where

you may have started your question here?

• About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

You should return the pre-owned/used watch to the big box store where you bought it and

have the management refund your purchase price or exchange the item with an unused one.

The instructions in the page link above apply mostly to the original owner before giving away, etc

of the product, similar to giving away or selling an iPhone or nearly any other Apple product...

Turn off Activation Lock before you send your Apple Watch in for service, sell it, or give it away

Before you send your Apple Watch in for service, sell it, or give it away, you should turn off Activation Lock

on your Apple Watch. Just unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone:

1. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.
2. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap the My Watch tab.
3. Tap Apple Watch, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
4. Enter your Apple ID password. If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can reset it.
5. Tap again to confirm.

If you can't access your iPhone or Apple Watch, or if your Apple Watch isn't paired with your iPhone and

you need to turn off Activation Lock:

1. On a computer, go to iCloud.com.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID, and open Settings.
3. Under My Devices, click your Apple Watch.
4. Click X next to your device.
5. Click Remove to confirm.

Anyway, sorry that there appears to be little or nothing I can help you with at this end.

Good luck in your discussions with the people where you bought the watch...!

Return the  Watch to the store where you purchased it and either get a refund or purchase an  Watch that is not Activation Locked. Activation Lock is a security feature that prevents thieves from setting up and using a stolen or lost  Watch, iPad or iPhone. You have no alternative. You must contact the previous owner to get permission to use the device. If you cannot contact the previous owner return the device to where you bought it and get a refund. You will never be able to activate the device and no one can help you do it.

If you have the receipt, it should have the serial number on the receipt. Call Apple support let them know of the issue.Then  you send them a picture of the receipt or you could scan it.

They review it and will unlock it within 48 hours.

I am going through the same issue right now and that's what they told me. The only reason I am going through this because I got a great deal otherwise I would have just returned it.

Hi

Apple will NOT help to unlock apple watch that is tied to an unknowned applied .

The same rules apply to iphone / iPad .

Get your money back .

Cheers

Brian

A  Apple senior advisor walked me threw the steps herself. Best Buy said the same thing they have done it already. As long as you have proof of purchase they will review it and contact the previous owner.

But if you bought it off some Joe on craigslist you're screwed.

Apple unlocked it.

@Twin - was Apple able to resolve this for you and unlock the watch?  I f so, did they reach out to you and let you know the watch has been unlocked OR did you just have to keep checking www.icloud.com/activationlock?  The reason I ask is I am going through the exact same scenario; the original owner provided Apple with the original receipt about a day and a half ago, so I am anxiously awaiting to hear something.

They said a email would be sent when they unlocked it. But I never got one I just kept checking online it took aboit 36 hours.