About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch

Find My includes a feature called Activation Lock that’s designed to prevent anyone else from using your Apple Watch if it’s ever lost or stolen.

What is Activation Lock?

Find My and Activation Lock for your Apple Watch turn on automatically when you set up Find My on your paired iPhone. With Activation Lock, your Apple ID and password are required before anyone can:

  • Unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone.

  • Pair and use your Apple Watch with a new iPhone.

  • Turn off Find My on your device.

Activation Lock can help you keep your device secure, even if it’s in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering your Apple Watch. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to keep anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My turned on and remember your Apple ID and password.

Check if Activation Lock is on

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

  1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

  2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.

    Default screen of the Apple Watch app

  3. Tap the More Info buttonNo alt supplied for Image next to your Apple Watch.

    All Watches screen where the More Info button can be found

If you see Find My Apple Watch, then Activation Lock is turned on.

More Info screen verifying that Activation Lock is on

If your Apple Watch goes missing

If your Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can use Find My to help you locate it and protect your information. Just sign in to iCloud.com or the Find My app to locate your missing watch on a map, play a sound to help you find it, use Lost Mode to lock it, or remotely erase all of your personal information.

Turn off Activation Lock before you send your Apple Watch in for a service, sell it or give it away

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. Just unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone:

  1. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.

  2. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.

  3. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.

    Default screen of the Apple Watch app

  4. Tap the More Info buttonNo alt supplied for Image next to your Apple Watch.

    All Watches screen where the More Info button can be found

  5. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

    Option to unpair Apple Watch

    For cellular models of Apple Watch, tap Remove [Network Provider] Plan. If you’re not going to pair with a different Apple Watch or iPhone, you may need to contact your network provider to cancel your mobile subscription.*

  6. Enter your Apple ID password. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it.

  7. Tap again to confirm.

* Network provider fees may apply. Contact your network provider for details.

Turn off Activation Lock on the web

If you can't access your iPhone or Apple Watch, or if your Apple Watch isn't paired with your iPhone and you need to turn off Activation Lock:

  1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.

  2. From the Quick Access Menu in the top right, select Find My. You may be required to sign in.

  3. Select All Devices, then click your Apple Watch.

  4. Click Erase Apple Watch. Select Next until the device has been erased.

  5. Click the Remove buttonNo alt supplied for Image next to your Apple Watch.

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