Apple Watch Locked To Owner! Can You Bypass It?

You Probably Bought Stolen Apple Watch

When we talked about buying the Apple Watches from pawn shops there was one aspect that we tried to highlight the most: Activation Lock. While not many people are aware of it but the way Apple has designed their smartwatches it is impossible for you, me or even FBI to unlock an Apple Watch unless we are not in possession of the Apple ID and password of the previous owners.

Which means that if you are facing the situation where your Apple Watch is not letting you do anything and you are being asked to remove the lock, then all you can do is contact the owner. That is it. There is no other option that you can pursue. Apple Watches (actually all Apple products) are integrated with a security system which in essence works on foundational idea of being anti-theft. It is done so to discourage the stealing of these devices. If you can’t sell them you won’t probably steal it. Even though, you can disassemble them and sell the parts but everyone knows that will only reduce the price.

Activation Lock 101

As we mentioned above in passing Activation Lock is what makes the Apple Watches a tightly secured ship where no one without the password and ID can break inside. When you buy a new Apple Watch and you set up your new watch with your iPhone the following happens:

• Find My is activated on your Apple Watch – a feature which is used to track the real-time location of your smartwatch. It is particularly useful for finding your Apple Watch when you have lost it.
• Activation Lock is also activated when you have completed the set up for Find My on your Apple Watch.

Basically Activation Lock ensures that no one (apart from you) can unpair, pair to new iPhone or disable the Find My feature from your Apple Watch without knowing your Apple ID and password. As long as you will keep in mind your credentials there is no way that anyone else on this planet not even Tim Cook himself can unlock your watch.

You should also know that because of Activation Lock it remains possible that you can find your way to your lost Apple Watch. Since it doesn’t allow anyone to break inside your watch, if your watch will be getting connection Find My application will ping you the location of your stolen/lost watch. Or show the last known location before it eventually lost contact.

Is It Possible To Bypass Apple Security?

No.No.No.

It will never be possible for anyone to bypass the security. Apple has outdone themselves here and even though many might agree that it is extreme and there should’ve been a loop to exploit, there is none. So, if anyone is telling you to visit that website or pay that guy to bypass the Activation Lock, don’t do it. There is no possible way to do it.

Which bring up another interesting point: as an owner of Apple Watch it should be your responsibility to ensure that your smartwatch has Activation Lock turned on. These devices are so expansive so being cautious and always staying one step ahead is your duty.

Follow these steps on your paired iPhone to check if Activation Lock is turned on:

• On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
• Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
• Tap the info button i next to your Apple Watch.
• If you see Find My Apple Watch, then Activation Lock is on.

What Can You Do To Use Locked Apple Watch?

However, if you are the one who has just bought the Apple Watch that is locked to previous owner then first of all we are very sorry. Secondly, our advice to you would be to contact the person who sold it to you.

Try to let them know that their device is not letting you pair it with your iPhone. If they will be genuine they will agree to meet somewhere so that they can unlock the Apple Watch. If not, then either they won’t pick your call or won’t agree to do anything meaningful – which probably indicate that it was stolen item.

In which case if you would’ve used service like PayPal to buy then our next advice would be to let them know of your situation. Because in cases like these Apple won’t do anything, you can try to contact them but it won’t work out. Whereas PayPal and many other companies which deal with online transactions have the buyer protection plans which depending on your condition might warrant you a refund from them. Although, if you would’ve used cash to pay the person from whom you had bought the watch then there is just no way back.

If You Want To Sell Apple Watch Do This First!

In case it is you who wants to sell your Apple Watch then we will suggest that you handle the situation professionally. Our best piece of advice would be to you to first erase your data and then unpair your iPhone from your Apple Watch. This way both you (seller) and the person who has agreed to buy it will remain on safe side.

As it is always recommendable that 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. You have to do it. To do which just unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone:

• Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.
• On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
• Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
• Tap the info button i next to your Apple Watch.
• Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

For cellular models of Apple Watch, tap Remove [Carrier] Plan. If you aren’t going to pair with a different Apple Watch or iPhone, you might need to contact your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription.

You can also do the same from Computer, if you don’t have your iPhone near you:

• Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
• From the Quick Access Menu in the top right, select Find My. You might be required to sign in.
• Select All Devices, then click your Apple Watch.
• Click Erase Apple Watch. Select Next until the device is erased.
• Click the remove button x next to your Apple Watch.

If You Are Going To Buy Apple Watch Do This First!

However, if you are the one who is going to buy the watch then we will suggest that you ask the person from whom you are buying to meet you somewhere public. Like KFC or McDonald (they have the free Wi-Fi there). Once you two are settled get them to unpair, reset, and remove the Activation Lock in front of you. Don’t just trust them on it.

Ask them to pair your iPhone with their Apple Watch (force if you have to). Then once everything is done and you can see that Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone, you can pay them. But not before it and certainly don’t pay them using cash. Try to use PayPal or other relevant services. It is dog eat dog world. Just don’t become that dog.