Unable to link Apple Watch to my iphone

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Level 1

5 points

Unable to link Apple Watch to my iphone

I purchased an Apple SE Series 2 watch from a seller on Facebook Market Place. I am unable to link it to my iphone. When I get to the Facetime screen the email address that comes up is very old and I have no access to it. I read that the Activation Lock needs to be removed from the watch. I contacted the seller who told me all she had done was a factory reset but she would remove the Activation lock. She went to Find My and deleted the watch and when she checked it was no longer on her icloud or Apple account. However, I still cannot link the watch to my phone. She no longer has the original purchase receipt so I can't go to Apple for this, even though I have the original box with the Serial number and screen shots of my conversation with her which clearly shows she has sold me the watch. Can anyone help me here?

Posted on Aug 17, 2025 07:46 PM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

95,919 points

Aug 18, 2025 01:23 AM in response to Xjxjnm

Xjxjnm wrote:

Is it on WiFi? You can’t remove the activation lock remotely without WiFi. Once it is connected you need to go to Settings > General > Erase and Erase all af the content and settings

the new user cannot remove activation lock, only the previous owner as per Rudegars link

Erase all content and settings will not remove it.

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Answer 2

Xjxjnm

Level 1

44 points

Aug 18, 2025 02:03 PM in response to LD150

The writer mentioned that they had removed the lock remotely on their device. I was saying perhaps it needed internet to update so that it no longer has activation lock and the erase all content and settings is available

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Answer 3

tla57 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 18, 2025 06:00 PM in response to LD150

I didn't remove the activation lock, I contacted the seller and she did it.

Should I take it back to her, get her to reconnect the watch to her account again, then go through all the steps as listed by Rudegar? All she originally did was restore the watch to its factory settings and didn't even know there was an Activation Lock.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

95,919 points

Aug 19, 2025 01:11 AM in response to tla57

ONLY if you have already met her, she is genuine, and you are confident you are not in any physical danger.

She could re-pair to her phone and unpair properly.

It shouldn't be necessary but some folk are genuinely technically inexperienced.

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Answer 5

tla57 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 19, 2025 03:00 AM in response to LD150

I met her when I collected the watch and she is very genuine. She is keen to help get it sorted. She was the one who suggested re-pairing. So I'll contact her again and suggest me meet up. Fingers crossed that it solves my problem. Thanks for your input.

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Answer 6

tla57 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 21, 2025 10:19 PM in response to tla57

Update: In desperation the other night I decided to ask ChatGPT if it could help.

First thing it told me to do was to go to FaceTime and check my email address and gave me step by step to do so.

I had two email address options. One with my existing email and another where I could add a new address so I entered the one I use (which was already there) then tried to connect the watch.....and it worked. (Go figure). Very odd but I'm not complaining.

Thanks for the input.

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Answer 7

Rudegar

Level 10

179,034 points

Aug 18, 2025 12:17 AM in response to tla57

these are the steps she needs to take

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

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Answer 8

Xjxjnm

Level 1

44 points

Aug 18, 2025 12:47 AM in response to tla57

Is it on WiFi? You can’t remove the activation lock remotely without WiFi. Once it is connected you need to go to Settings > General > Erase and Erase all af the content and settings

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Answer 9

LD150

Level 10

95,919 points

Aug 18, 2025 02:25 PM in response to Xjxjnm

Fair enough. Lets see what occurs.

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Answer 10

LD150

Level 10

95,919 points

Aug 22, 2025 12:40 AM in response to tla57

Sounds like it was not activation locked, you were simply using your wrong Apple account?

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