The activation lock is an important security feature on the Apple Watch that prevents anyone else from using your watch if it is ever lost or stolen. However, sometimes activation lock can be accidentally enabled, making your own Apple Watch unusable. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to unlock your Apple Watch when activation lock is turned on.

What is Activation Lock on Apple Watch?

Activation lock is Apple’s implementation of a security feature called “Find My”. When Find My is enabled on your Apple Watch, it links your watch to your Apple ID.

The main purpose of activation lock is to make your Apple Watch unusable by thieves. If your watch is ever lost or stolen, the activation lock will prevent anyone else from using it. They will not be able to reactivate, erase, or re-pair the watch without your Apple ID credentials.

Activation lock is automatically enabled when you:

• Pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone for the first time
• Restore your watch from a backup
• Update your watch software

Once activated, the lock can only be removed with your Apple ID password. This prevents thieves from bypassing the lock and using your watch.

When Activation Lock Causes Problems

While activation lock provides an important security layer for your Apple Watch, sometimes it can cause problems for legitimate owners too. Here are some examples:

• Forgotten passcode – If you forget your Apple Watch passcode, activation lock will prevent you from erasing the watch and resetting it.
• Changed or disabled Apple ID – If you recently changed your Apple ID password or disabled the account, you cannot enter the proper credentials on the watch to unlock it.
• Family member’s watch – Activation lock is linked to the owner’s Apple ID. If your family member’s watch is linked to their Apple ID, you cannot unlock it.
• Bought used watch – Purchasing a pre-owned Apple Watch can lead to activation lock issues if the previous owner’s account is still linked.
• Temporary disable – Some users report activation lock enabling inadvertently when temporarily disabling Find My.

In these types of situations, you’ll need to follow the proper steps to remove activation lock from your Apple Watch.

Preparing to Unlock Your Apple Watch

Before starting the unlocking process, you’ll want to gather some information and prepare your devices:

• The Apple Watch model – Check whether you have an Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, or Apple Watch Edition. You’ll need to identify your model when contacting Apple support.
• Your Apple ID and password – The ID and password associated with the watch will be required during the unlock process. If you’ve forgotten the password, you’ll need to reset it.
• Backup iPhone or iPad – You’ll need to pair the watch with an iPhone or iPad during unlocking. Make sure you have one available and updated.
• USB cable – To connect the Apple Watch to your iPhone, you’ll need the charging cable that came with your watch.
• Internet connection – Both the iPhone and Apple Watch will need to be connected to the internet to complete the unlock process.
• Apple support contacts – Save Apple support phone numbers and live chat bookmarks. You may need to contact them if you encounter issues.

With this information on hand, you’ll be prepared to unlock your activation locked Apple Watch.

How to Unlock Your Apple Watch When Activation Lock is Enabled

Here are the steps to successfully unlock your Apple Watch when activation lock is turned on:

1. Force Restart the Apple Watch

The first step is to force restart your Apple Watch:

• Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously.
• Keep holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo appear on the watch screen.

This will force your watch to restart, which is required for the next steps.

2. Connect the Apple Watch to iPhone

Now you’ll need to connect the Apple Watch to a paired iPhone:

• Take the USB charging cable that came with your watch.
• Plug the magnetic charger into the back of the watch.
• Plug in the USB end into your iPhone charging port.
• Position the watch and iPhone side-by-side so they are connected.

The devices must remain connected throughout the unlocking process.

3. Launch Apple Watch App on iPhone

The unlocking process is completed through the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone:

• Tap the Apple Watch app icon on your iPhone home screen to launch it.
• If you don’t have the app, download and install it from the App Store.
• Log in with the Apple ID associated with the watch if prompted.

The app will begin communicating with your connected Apple Watch.

4. Attempt to Unpair the Watch

You can now attempt to unpair the activation locked watch:

• In the My Watch tab, tap on your watch name.
• Scroll down and tap Unpair Apple Watch.
• Tap again to confirm unpairing.

If activation lock is enabled, you’ll be redirected to begin the verification process instead of fully unpairing.

5. Enter Apple ID and Password

After the unpairing attempt, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID:

• Carefully type in the full email address of the Apple ID associated with the watch.
• When prompted, enter the corresponding password for that Apple ID.
• If you’ve forgotten the password, tap Forgot Password? to reset and recover it.
• Tap Done once you’ve entered the correct credentials.

This will verify you are the owner and can bypass activation lock.

6. Complete Unpairing Process

After verification, you’ll be able to fully unpair and erase your Apple Watch:

• Follow the on-screen steps to finish unpairing the watch from your iPhone.
• Tap Erase All Content and Settings when prompted to wipe the device.
• Wait for the process to complete. The watch screen should show the Hello screen when fully erased.

Your Apple Watch should now be unlocked from any activation lock and ready for re-pairing.

7. Repair Apple Watch with iPhone

The final step is to re-pair your unlocked Apple Watch:

• Keep the watch connected to your iPhone via the charging cable.
• Open the Apple Watch app if it’s not still running.
• Follow the setup prompts to pair your watch to the iPhone.
• Sign in with your Apple ID when asked.
• Go through the rest of the setup process as usual.

Once fully paired, your Apple Watch should sync with your iPhone and activation lock will not re-enable automatically. You’re all set!

Getting Additional Support to Unlock

If you run into any issues getting activation lock removed from your Apple Watch, further support is available:

• Restart the process – Many activation lock problems can be fixed by thoroughly restarting the unlocking process from the beginning. Follow each step carefully.
• Contact Apple Support – Apple’s support team can provide individual help if you’re still stuck. Reach out to them via phone, chat, email, or social media.
• Visit Apple Store – Make a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple Store. Their tech experts may be able to unlock your watch in person.
• Third-party services – Some third party repair shops and mail-in services claim to unlock activation locked Apple Watches. Research credibility before utilizing them.

With persistence and the right help if needed, you should be able to successfully get your activation locked Apple Watch working again.

Tips to Avoid Activation Lock in the Future

Once you’ve regained access to your Apple Watch, follow these tips to avoid activation lock triggering again down the road:

• Keep your Apple ID password updated and stored somewhere safely. Never delete or disable the ID.
• Write down the Apple Watch passcode and keep it somewhere handy. Don’t enable wrist detection.
• Back up your Apple Watch regularly so you can restore it if needed.
• Carefully read prompts before disabling Find My or unpairing your watch.
• Remove activation lock before selling, gifting, or trading in your watch.
• Keep devices updated and only reset your watch when necessary.

Following best practices for using and securing your Apple Watch will help avoid you the headache of dealing with activation lock again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Unlocking Apple Watch

Here are answers to some common questions about unlocking an activation locked Apple Watch:

1. Does resetting network settings remove activation lock from Apple Watch?

No, resetting network settings will not remove or bypass activation lock on an Apple Watch. The lock is connected to your Apple ID and can only be removed by entering the correct corresponding password.

2. Can Apple remove activation lock without Apple ID password?

Apple cannot remove activation lock from an Apple Watch without verifying the owner’s ID password first. This protects against unauthorized access if a device is lost or stolen. Apple Support can help reset your forgotten password.

3. Why does my Apple Watch still show activation lock after reset?

If your Apple Watch still shows activation lock even after factory resetting, it means the device is still linked to your Apple ID. You will need to go through the unlocking process again carefully to remove the activation lock.

4. How do I unlock Apple Watch without iPhone?

There is no way to unlock an activation locked Apple Watch without connecting to the paired iPhone. The two devices work together to verify your ID and complete the unlock process. You’ll need iPhone access to remove the lock.

5. Can jewelers remove activation lock from Apple Watch?

Unfortunately, most jewelers cannot unlock an activation locked Apple Watch. Only Apple has the system access to verify an ID and unlock the watch. Most third parties can only do so with the owner’s credentials.

Conclusion

Activation lock can be a frustrating roadblock if you are locked out of your own Apple Watch. But in most cases, you can successfully regain access by carefully following the proper unlocking steps outlined here. Keep your account details handy, connect your iPhone, and contact Apple Support if you need additional assistance removing the lock. With some dedicated effort, you’ll once again be able to use your Apple Watch freely.