Q: Apple Watch Locked Out

Hi

You are describing Activation Lock. When enabled, this prevents unauthorised use of Apple Watch if it is lost or stolen. There is no way around this security feature. Before being able to pair it to your own iPhone, you will need the previous owner to either:

- Enter their Apple ID and password on your device, or;

- Turn the feature off via https://www.icloud.com/ (sign in with their Apple ID > Settings > My Devices > Click on Apple Watch > Remove it by clicking on the "X" and then on Remove).

Unless one or the other of these processes is followed, you will be unable to use the Apple Watch.

I have the same problem as a Seller.

totally erased, but it still showed up in my Devices in Apple ID > Settings > My Devices > Click on Apple Watch >

now it is deleted and not repairing in my devices AND have checked the 'Find my iPhone' - it is gone on both accounts

HOWEVER the chap is telling me it still will not accept the new Apple ID. -

Q1. is it possibly still linked?

Q2. is there a time frame for it to unpair in the Cloud?

Q3. Any Suggestions?

thank you kindly.

Erasing the watch only de-activates Activation Lock if the watch is unpaired and erased via the Watch app on the paired iPhone. Erasing the watch directly on the watch does not achieve the same result.

Apple Watch is also never listed as a device within Find My iPhone, even when Activation Lock is enabled (the features are not the same thing).

To remove Activation Lock from your old Apple Watch:

- In a web browser, go to: https://www.icloud.com/

- Sign in with your Apple ID > go to Settings > go to My Devices > Click on Apple Watch > Remove it by clicking on the "X" and then on Remove.

It may help if your buyer tries these steps:

On his iPhone: close the Watch app along with all other open apps (double-press on the Home button, swipe up on each of the app previews).

Restart both devices, turning both of them off and then restarting his iPhone first:

- To turn the watch off: press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider; drag the slider to turn off.

- To turn the watch back on: press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Then re-try setting it up.

Thank you @Jonathan.

fingers crossed - although the Apple Tech guy on phone service told him the only way was for ME to enter MY password then start again - we could be doing that back and forth for weeks though, as already paired properly. and No way giving my password to a stranger - eek!

thanks

seems no matter what he does it keeps coming back to the screen shot attached.

"This device is currently linked to an Appled ID (s*****@me.com). Sing in its the Apple ID that was used to set up this device."

but STILL in my iCloud - the Device is NOT shown anymore.

the only way I am seeing this panning out is driving a 5 hour round trip to put my ID in or having to give the guy my ID and password - which I don't want to do.

any thoughts?

thanks

As you have followed the correct steps to remove the watch from your iCloud account, you may wish to contact Apple Support:

https://www.apple.com/support/watch/contact/

Alternatively, you may wish to try pairing the watch to your iPhone again and then unpairing it using the Watch app on your iPhone, which should remove the Activation Lock (although this would obviously require you, the buyer or the watch to travel).

More information:

- Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

- Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support

- About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Were you ever able to get this resolved?  I am having the exact same problem (I am the buyer and the seller is experiencing the exact same issues as you have described).  What if you gave him your Apple ID and Password to see if that gets past that initial screen and then change your password? I think I may have to suggest that to my seller as physically meeting up with him would be over a 20 hour drive round trip. 

Yes buddy,

it Got Resolved :-)

I stormed down Apple Shop - and the guy checked I was owner as I had effectively sold it now - but showed him the dialogue I'd been having with the seller - they confirmed it was registered with me (bearing in mind - I don't have the phone with me, but in another city with the 'buyer').

Seems that even when unlinked it can stay in the Ether as STILL LINKED - even they had to force reset/unlink a couple of times until it had been done - they kindly even explained this to the upset buyer on the phone to keep him calm (all this on Xmas Eve) - great for the buyer - Me - wasted ALL of my Xmas shopping time on this issue (4 hours) - so if you are buying or selling apple watches - do some due diligence first - and even then expect some hiccups that can only be resolved in store.

kind regards (at least I got a glowing review on eBay for my efforts lol)