HT201441: Turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock

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JoWi85
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Cannot turn off ActivationLock on AppleWatch

I have given my AppleWatch to a friend. When he wanted to activate it it said it was still linked to my AppleId. I went onto iCloud and removed the watch from my devices. Yet the activation lock on the watch is still on. What am I missing?

Apple Watch

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 6:04 AM

by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended
Jonathan UK Jonathan UK
Level 8 (39,519 points)
Apple Watch
A:

Hi

 

If you have not yet done so, it may help to unpair your watch from within the Watch app on your iPhone.

 

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > My Watch > Apple Watch:

- If you see a button with the title Mark as Missing, then Activation Lock is still on.

- If your iPhone still believes the watch is paired, tap on Unpair Apple Watch.

 

Otherwise, check that you have followed the instructions here:

About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

 

And that your friend is following the instructions here:

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 7:01 AM

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JoWi85

Q: Cannot turn off ActivationLock on AppleWatch

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Dec 22, 2015 7:01 AM in response to JoWi85
    Level 8 (39,519 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 22, 2015 7:01 AM in response to JoWi85

    Hi

     

    If you have not yet done so, it may help to unpair your watch from within the Watch app on your iPhone.

     

    On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > My Watch > Apple Watch:

    - If you see a button with the title Mark as Missing, then Activation Lock is still on.

    - If your iPhone still believes the watch is paired, tap on Unpair Apple Watch.

     

    Otherwise, check that you have followed the instructions here:

    About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

     

    And that your friend is following the instructions here:

    Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by JoWi85,

    JoWi85 JoWi85 Dec 22, 2015 6:25 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 6:25 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thank you for your quick reply. I didn't unpair the Watch before I gave it away. I only erased it from the settings on the watch directly. I then later removed it from my iCould account according to the link you required.

     

    The watch is gone from my watch app.

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Dec 22, 2015 6:59 AM in response to JoWi85
    Level 8 (39,519 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 22, 2015 6:59 AM in response to JoWi85

    It may help if your friend 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.

  • by JoWi85,

    JoWi85 JoWi85 Dec 22, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    I will forward these instructions. I have to say however even though the watch is gone from my devices on iCloud if I check activation lock with the watches serial number on on iCloud it still says ON.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Dec 22, 2015 7:02 AM in response to JoWi85
    Level 8 (39,519 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 22, 2015 7:02 AM in response to JoWi85

    A workaround may be to pair the watch with your own iPhone again and then to unpair it via the Watch app, whilst the devices are close together (ensuring that they are connected via Bluetooth, with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on your iPhone).

  • by JoWi85,

    JoWi85 JoWi85 Dec 22, 2015 7:15 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 7:15 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Yeah this will be my last resort. But this solution includes a 25 mile drive

  • by JoWi85,

    JoWi85 JoWi85 Dec 29, 2015 12:02 AM in response to JoWi85
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 12:02 AM in response to JoWi85

    I had to meet up with him again. Pair the watch again and then unpair it to remove activation lock.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Dec 29, 2015 6:06 AM in response to JoWi85
    Level 8 (39,519 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 29, 2015 6:06 AM in response to JoWi85

    Glad to hear that the solution worked out for you.