Any way to rescue this Apple Watch?

[mrochester]

An elderly friend had an Apple Watch (series 2 I believe).

The watch is still logged into her Apple account. The iPhone it was connected to is long gone. Her Apple account does not show the Apple Watch as a device on her account.

Is there any way to rescue this watch so I can donate it to charity or will I just need to destroy it since I can’t remove it from the Apple account it is linked to?

Many thanks.

M.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Her Apple account does not show the Apple Watch as a device on her account.

Just to confirm, you aren’t able to proceed with these steps?

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 Account.
2. From the Quick Access Menu in the top right, select Find My. You might be required to sign in.
3. Select All Devices, then click your Apple Watch.
4. Click Erase Apple Watch. Select Next until the device is erased.
5. Click the Remove button
   
   next to your Apple Watch.

About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

support.apple.com

[...] will I just need to destroy it since I can’t remove it from the Apple account it is linked to?

You won’t need to destroy it. At the very least, you can erase the data then turn it over to Apple or another (local) business that offers electronics recycling.

How to erase your Apple Watch if you don't have your iPhone​

This procedure erases all media, data, and settings from your Apple Watch, but it doesn't remove Activation Lock. If you're selling or giving away your Apple Watch, it's best to use your iPhone to unpair the watch. If you don't have your iPhone, use these steps.

1. On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app.
2. Tap General, then tap Reset.
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
   
   
4. Type your password if prompted.
5. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan.
   • If you want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, keep your plan.
   • If you don't want to pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again, remove your plan. If you aren't going to pair with a different watch or iPhone, you might need to contact your carrier to cancel your cellular subscription.
6. Tap Erase All to confirm. This resets your Apple Watch to the factory settings.
   
   Now you can set up your Apple Watch again. You'll need the Apple Account and password associated with the watch turn off Activation Lock.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpairing your Apple Watch restores it to its factory settings.

support.apple.com

Is there any way to rescue this watch so I can donate it to charity

I can’t guarantee results and it could be tedious, however…

Preferably, you have a spare/auxiliary iPhone or they have a new/replacement iPhone. If not, you could ensure you have a recent backup, sign out of iCloud on your current iPhone, sign in to iCloud with the Watch owner’s Apple Account, and go through the above reset and re-setup steps. Presumably, maybe, the Apple Watch would behave as if it’s upgrading/transferring iPhones. Of course, if it does work, then properly, completely unpair the watch via the iPhone (Watch app). Lastly, of course, sign back into your iPhone with your Apple Account.

P.S. Very long shot, perhaps it is actually unpaired being it’s not showing under the account. In which case, you could try pairing it to your iPhone and account, if you haven’t already.

 

[mrochester]

Just to confirm, you aren’t able to proceed with these steps?

About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

support.apple.com

You won’t need to destroy it. At the very least, you can erase the data then turn it over to Apple or another (local) business that offers electronics recycling.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpairing your Apple Watch restores it to its factory settings.

support.apple.com

I can’t guarantee results and it could be tedious, however…

Preferably, you have a spare/auxiliary iPhone or they have a new/replacement iPhone. If not, you could ensure you have a recent backup, sign out of iCloud on your current iPhone, sign in to iCloud with the Watch owner’s Apple Account, and go through the above reset and re-setup steps. Presumably, maybe, the Apple Watch would behave as if it’s upgrading/transferring iPhones. Of course, if it does work, then properly, completely unpair the watch via the iPhone (Watch app). Lastly, of course, sign back into your iPhone with your Apple Account.

P.S. Very long shot, perhaps it is actually unpaired being it’s not showing under the account. In which case, you could try pairing it to your iPhone and account, if you haven’t already.

Thank you that seems to have sorted it!

Many thanks.