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Can't Set Up Used Apple Watch...

bcaslis said:
Have you actually tried this? I unpaired an Apple Watch correctly and it did not remove it from iCloud. As a matter of fact, I had a couple of Apple Watches that I returned because of problems with them. Because of this thread I went into iCloud and checked and every single watch I've ever paired my iPhone with DID NOT get removed from iCloud after unpairing. I have never used reset content and settings, only unpairing. There is a either is a serious bug somewhere or Apple documentation is completely wrong.
Click to expand...

iCloud Listing != Activation Lock enabled

I should have been more clear: I'm not saying there isn't some weird error in iCloud device management, I'm saying that it has nothing to do with activation lock.

A. Yes and I have the same results, multiple watches
B. Just because it's in iCloud doesn't mean that it is Activation Locked, devices in that list that have activation lock will say: "Is this device missing?".

Edit: And actually, looking at my watches, only the watch which the Apple employee "Reset all Content & Settings" is still listed. The second watch, which we explicitly unpaired, is not listed.
 
myrtledog said:
Success!!

I meet the seller early this morning and he re-paired the watch to his phone and then went back through the Un-pairing process. It took a while to complete but worked.

Now I can move forward and enjoy my new watch.
Click to expand...

Good to hear! Sounds like this was almost as much of a pain for the seller as it was for you, you're lucky you had someone that was so willing to work with you!
 
Mascots said:
iCloud Listing != Activation Lock enabled

I should have been more clear: I'm not saying there isn't some weird error in iCloud device management, I'm saying that it has nothing to do with activation lock.

A. Yes and I have the same results, multiple watches
B. Just because it's in iCloud doesn't mean that it is Activation Locked, devices in that list that have activation lock will say: "Is this device missing?".

Edit: And actually, looking at my watches, only the watch which the Apple employee "Reset all Content & Settings" is still listed. The second watch, which we explicitly unpaired, is not listed.
Click to expand...

Then your experience is the opposite of mine. I've never seen a watch removed from iCloud when unpaired. Therefore I maintain there is a problem at least for some. Something is not working right in this process.
 
bcaslis said:
Have you actually tried this? I unpaired an Apple Watch correctly and it did not remove it from iCloud. As a matter of fact, I had a couple of Apple Watches that I returned because of problems with them. Because of this thread I went into iCloud and checked and every single watch I've ever paired my iPhone with DID NOT get removed from iCloud after unpairing. I have never used reset content and settings, only unpairing. There is a either is a serious bug somewhere or Apple documentation is completely wrong.
Click to expand...

This may or may not be relevant, but I had something similar happen with an iPhone swap via the genius bar.

I had an issue that required Apple to replace my phone, it was backed up, so in the store we turned off iCloud & Find My iPhone (requires my iCloud password and removes activation lock) then we went and reset all contents and settings (to remove all my personal data from the device). I was given the new phone and went home and restored it from backup.

At this point (after I had turned the phone into Apple) I went into my iCloud account and saw that both the new device I had just setup and my old phone (confirmed by serial number) were listed in my iCloud account and I wasn't able to remove the old phone from iCloud.

I talked to Apple online support and they said that the phone would drop off my iCloud account after 90 days. I waited the requisite 3 months and checked back on my iCloud account and found the device did drop as I was told. Thinking that the same thing may be happening for watches (that were properly unpaired to remove AL and not simply reset) and if you give it time they will drop off.
 
just thought of an easy fix for apple (and it's graphic designers) - subtly incorporate an image of a locked padlock behind the pairing dust particles on the pairing screen... then you'd be able to see activation lock was still enabled and it wouldn't be messy.
 
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kilcher said:
Good to hear! Sounds like this was almost as much of a pain for the seller as it was for you, you're lucky you had someone that was so willing to work with you!
Click to expand...

Very true. This is why I decided to buy a used watch from a store on Ebay vs. local on Craigslist. The guy on CL was responding to my questions, but not sounding very cooperative. I asked him if he had the original receipt as it would help in getting AppleCare transferred, and he basically told me it wasn't needed. He eventually said he'd look for it, but his whole tone just didn't make me think if I had a problem that he'd be there trying to help me rectify it.
 
Not sure if I have the same problem. Watch was shown to be on the language select screen and when I pair it using the iPhone app it seems fine. But when it asks me to sign in with my Apple ID, it says 'could not sign in. There was a problem connecting to the server'. If I skip that, I get stuck with the same problem at the next screen for messages.

The phone app does show my Apple ID on those screens.
 
convergent said:
How do you check for this when buying a used watch, short if trying to pair it? I'm thinking of buying one and don't want this to happen.
Click to expand...
Easy. Test everything out before you buy it. Never buy anything and assume everything works. Sometimes even the seller might not be aware that something is not working right.
 
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myrtledog said:
Bought a slightly used watch from Craig's List this morning. Watch is mint and that's good.
However once I got it home and attempted to set it up I've hit a wall...

It will let me pair it, go thru the legal warnings and to a screen that says i need to enter the iCloud ID but apparently the previous owners ID is still in there so I can not go any further.

The seller has basically stopped returning my texts to get this fixed. Basically says it's my problem.

The Apple Store says he still has the "activation lock" active to his phone and that it's security against thief etc.

So - Anybody know how to force the watch to wipe everything so I can use this $500 paperweight? I've done all the resets with no success...
Click to expand...
So you bought it without verifying that it works ?
 
Just checked with the seller and they confirmed it wasn't on their icloud account.

Also, if you go to https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/ you can enter a serial number of a watch (or phone) and it'll tell you whether it is activation locked. So get the seller to provide the serial number in advance of a sale and you can check yourself (you can also check how much warranty is left using the serial number so it is handy to have)

Mine still won't let me register my appleID. I've managed to skip it by signing out of imessage on my phone, and I still get notifications for texts but I guess imessages won't be notified. Have a genius appointment next Friday to look into it - I've reset it about 5 times now.
 
So I actually bought an open box from Best Buy... Didn't think I needed to check the activation lock.. Well it's locked... I called apple they said no problem, I sent them receipt.. Then told me they can't do it because the purchase date on the receipt doesn't match the purchase date they have in their system...well no kidding!!! It was purchased by someone else (purchase date 1) then returned and purchased by me (purchase date 2) they escalated to a supervisor and said it could take 48 hours but he thinks they'll say no... I am going to have to take it back, but I saved $140 on the open box... Wish they would work with me here, especially since I have proof of purchase!!!
 
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mguzzi said:
Interesting - I purchased a 42mm Space Grey Sport Open Box yesterday from Best Buy. When I went to pair the watch with my phone I received an Activation Lock message and could not enter my iCloud information. I called Apple Support and they stated that there was nothing they could do even though I had a receipt with the serial and just also purchased Apple Care. I was instructed by Apple to return the Apple Watch to Best Buy and work with them. Lucky for me Best Buy exchanged the Open Box Watch with a brand new one at the discounted price.
Click to expand...

Mannnn this just happened to me today!!!!!! I even emailed apple the receipt, they said they would escalate it, but said they probably couldn't do anything because the purchase date on their end, doesn't match the purchase date on my receipt (obviously!!!). Hopefully when I take it back I'll get the same deal you got! I'm going to raise hell!!!
 
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I am very glad I happened upon this thread! I received a used Apple Watch yesterday that I bought on eBay on Monday. I already own an ⌚️, so I'm somewhat familiar with setting/pairing process. I had to charge it before I could begin the pairing process. When it was at least 50%+ charged, I looked at the screen and discovered that it appeared to already be paired/activated. I looked at the apps & saw fewer than I own, with some being ones I did not own. I then looked at the photos - yep, pictures of people, pets, & others I did not know. I looked at emails & saw all were unfamiliar to me. What was even more puzzling was that I could access all of this information on the watch without entering a passcode! I tried a hard reset and when I turned the watch back on, all of the same information was still there and still accessible. I guess a passcode was never set up.

Good thing for the original owner that I am an honest person - I was most concerned with being able to figure out how to work out getting the watch set up! I saw the settings icon on the watch, found "erase all contents and settings" and was able to then start the process. After doing this, the watch went to the "language" setup screen. I was then able to pair it with my iPhone. All of my information appeared on the watch when the process was completed. I was concerned when I found this thread tonight, though. Thanks to mrklaw's previous post, I found out that the activation lock was off. I would never have known that this could've been a problem. Thank you, everyone, who have helped to bring this issue to the attention of all!
 
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Sdotds said:
Mannnn this just happened to me today!!!!!! I even emailed apple the receipt, they said they would escalate it, but said they probably couldn't do anything because the purchase date on their end, doesn't match the purchase date on my receipt (obviously!!!). Hopefully when I take it back I'll get the same deal you got! I'm going to raise hell!!!
Click to expand...
 
I had purchased apple care with the locked watch. I called Apple and they tried to help me. Finally telling me to take it back. Best Buy was great and gave me a brand new Apple Watch for no additional cost once I explained the issue with the open box watch. The Apple tech even offered to talk to Best Buy on the phone if I had a problem with the exchange. Apple basically said there was nothing they could do with the locked watch.
 
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JayLenochiniMac said:
You'd have as much luck as with an activation-locked iPhone. Next time take the same precaution/steps as buying an iPhone, including making sure it's not activation locked. Otherwise stick with eBay.
Click to expand...


I am having that same problem right now with one I bought on eBay luckily he is sending me my money back tried to synch it on my phone got it partially synhed and then I got to the last screen asking me for the Apple ID I was so pissped
 
To check watch for Activation Lock, simulate sending it in for repair. The apple site will advise if the serial number is activation locked.
Go to https://getsupport.apple.com/
1) go to all products 2) choose Apple Watch 3) Repairs 4) enter serial number

ALSO have the previous owner: (this can all be done without the previous owner having watch)
-Unpair device from Apple Watch app on iphone
-Remove device from icloud.com
-Remove device from Find My iPhone app on iphone
 
I purchased an apple watch 3 gps+ cellular in OfferUp , the seller unpaired the watch did factory reset and gave it. I come home try to pair the watch getting an error after the "Agree" Terms & Conditions Error--" There is a problem with your Apple watch". "The Apple watch cannot be activated for service. Please contact your carrier or Apple care.

Called Apple they confirmed that there is no lock for the serial number provided, can someone please help?
 
myrtledog said:
Bought a slightly used watch from Craig's List this morning. Watch is mint and that's good.
However once I got it home and attempted to set it up I've hit a wall...

It will let me pair it, go thru the legal warnings and to a screen that says i need to enter the iCloud ID but apparently the previous owners ID is still in there so I can not go any further.

The seller has basically stopped returning my texts to get this fixed. Basically says it's my problem.

The Apple Store says he still has the "activation lock" active to his phone and that it's security against thief etc.

So - Anybody know how to force the watch to wipe everything so I can use this $500 paperweight? I've done all the resets with no success...
Click to expand...

Where you able to resolve this issue?
 
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