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Apple Watch locked to previous owner

Hello, my sister gifted me her watch for Christmas. She’s removed her information; the watch won’t let me access it with mine. What do I do?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 3, 2023 10:01 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 3, 2023 1:53 PM

Your sister should have followed the steps in the 'Before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch' section of:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support


Have your sister do this:

  • With a web browser, go to: https://www.iCloud.com and sign in with her Apple ID. Open Find My iPhone and select All Devices (at the top). Then click her Apple Watch, select 'Erase Apple Watch', and select Next until the device is erased. Finally click "X" next to remove the Apple Watch.


Then try to setup the watch with your Apple ID.


Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone else from using an Apple Watch if it's ever lost or stolen.

About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support


Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature that cannot be bypassed. Only the previous owner can remove the lock by using their Apple ID & password.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 3, 2023 1:53 PM in response to Over-coming

Your sister should have followed the steps in the 'Before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch' section of:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support


Have your sister do this:

  • With a web browser, go to: https://www.iCloud.com and sign in with her Apple ID. Open Find My iPhone and select All Devices (at the top). Then click her Apple Watch, select 'Erase Apple Watch', and select Next until the device is erased. Finally click "X" next to remove the Apple Watch.


Then try to setup the watch with your Apple ID.


Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone else from using an Apple Watch if it's ever lost or stolen.

About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support


Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature that cannot be bypassed. Only the previous owner can remove the lock by using their Apple ID & password.


Apple Watch locked to previous owner

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