I cant reset my pre-owned watch. HELP!

Hi

The steps that the seller has taken should have removed Activation Lock from the watch.

If the seller has not yet done so, it may help if they unpair the watch via the Watch app on their iPhone (even though the watch is not available).

On their iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > My Watch > Apple Watch: if the button is available, tap on Unpair Apple Watch.

It may also help if you, as the new owner, try these steps:

• On your 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 your 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.

If the watch remains locked, ask the seller to contact Apple Support (being the original owner) and explain the situation:

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

That is what I had understood from your original question. You are referring to Activation Lock, which still appears to be active, even though the seller has tried to remove it.

Follow the instructions in my first reply.

More information about Activation Lock:

About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

You're welcome!

If you are having difficulty restarting the watch normally, try force restarting it instead:

- Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for around 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo, then release both buttons and wait for the watch to restart.

Activation Lock is designed to prevent unauthorised use of Apple Watch if it is lost or stolen.

If the seller has followed the correct process to remove it, but it still remains active (which is what you have described), then follow the instructions in my first reply. Specifically, the seller should contact Apple Support and explain the situation.

I had a similar experience, the previous owner did not see the Apple Watch in his iCloud settings, but the Activation Lock was still ON. To make a long story short, the original owner ended up submitting his original sales receipt info to Apple Tech Support and confirmed he sold the watch to me. Once Apple confirmed he was the original owner, they unlocked the phone.

If the previous owner did not erase the watch, you will certainly need to do that.