For those of you who have done an express replacement… - RESOLVED

[jz0309]

Chatted with support today and when it came to setup an express replacement she asked me to unpair the watch to set it up… I asked why but she didn’t answer that question.
I realize that I have to unpair prior to actually shipping my watch, but why on earth do I have to unpair the watch prior to setting an express replacement up? Does not make sense to me …

 

[Apple_Robert]

Unpairing the watch signs it out of your account which turns off "Find My." The watch is activation locked and can't be serviced unless it is unpaired.

 

[jz0309]

Unpairing the watch signs it out of your account which turns off "Find My." The watch is activation locked and can't be serviced unless it is unpaired.

Understand that, but express replacement sends you a replacement watch and once you receive it you send in your old watch.
Old watch needs to be unpaired prior to shipping it back.
Why did the person who I chatted thru online chat with ask me to unpair my watch right then and there in order to initiate express replacement? I would have to pair it again, wait 2 or 3 days for the replacement watch …

 

[Apple_Robert]

Understand that, but express replacement sends you a replacement watch and once you receive it you send in your old watch.
Old watch needs to be unpaired prior to shipping it back.
Why did the person who I chatted thru online chat with ask me to unpair my watch right then and there in order to initiate express replacement? I would have to pair it again, wait 2 or 3 days for the replacement watch …

The Express Replacement order cannot be entered into the computer until you have unpaired. That is Apple's rule. They want to make sure they receive a device that can be properly repaired without having to contact the customer again about activation lock.

 

[jz0309]

The Express Replacement order cannot be entered into the computer until you have unpaired. That is Apple's rule. They want to make sure they receive a device that can be properly repaired without having to contact the customer again about activation lock.

Ok, thanks.
So, I’m expected to leave my AW unpaired sitting on my desk or wherever until I receive my replacement watch? That is stupid, excuse me.
And, Apple has visibility and knows whether or not my watch is actually paired to my phone? how? And why? That would not be cool and how does that fit with privacy?

I am sorry for ranting, I appreciate you responding it just ticks me off that they have an “express replacement” with these kind of strings…

 

[Apple_Robert]

Ok, thanks.
So, I’m expected to leave my AW unpaired sitting on my desk or wherever until I receive my replacement watch? That is stupid, excuse me.
And, Apple has visibility and knows whether or not my watch is actually paired to my phone? how? And why? That would not be cool and how does that fit with privacy?

I am sorry for ranting, I appreciate you responding it just ticks me off that they have an “express replacement” with these kind of strings…

Once the service request has been officially entered into the computer, you can pair your watch again. Just make sure to unpair it before setting up the express replacement watch etc.

 

[Runs For Fun]

Ok, thanks.
So, I’m expected to leave my AW unpaired sitting on my desk or wherever until I receive my replacement watch? That is stupid, excuse me.
And, Apple has visibility and knows whether or not my watch is actually paired to my phone? how? And why? That would not be cool and how does that fit with privacy?

I am sorry for ranting, I appreciate you responding it just ticks me off that they have an “express replacement” with these kind of strings…

No you can re-pair it after the express replacement order has been entered by the support person.

 

[glenthompson]

When I had my S1 replaced they sent me the replacement without requiring me to unpair. That was a few years ago so procedure may have changed.

 

[jz0309]

Thank You guys ... I contacted them again and here is what they told me:

We ask you to unpair Apple Watch from iPhone because, the device needs to be turned off on find my and to create service we will have to turn off find my because, our service page needs to get the device details and if the find my is enabled we will be unable to proceed to create repair on the first page it self. So you can unpair the watch for a moment until we generate a repair ID and you can pair it back and use it until you receive a replacement.

Now I understand the need ...

 

[thawk9455]

I'm going through this right now and this is a stupid process. The whole point of express service replacement is to reduce my downtime. Why make me unpair my device (which erases it), to initiate the process of getting the new device. I should do that after I have setup the new device and before returning it.

The current process creates extra hassle for the user, who is paying for AppleCare+ so they don't have to deal with hassles. I'm actively less likely to get AppleCare on my next watch because of this process alone.

 

[kitKAC]

I'm going through this right now and this is a stupid process. The whole point of express service replacement is to reduce my downtime. Why make me unpair my device (which erases it), to initiate the process of getting the new device. I should do that after I have setup the new device and before returning it.

The current process creates extra hassle for the user, who is paying for AppleCare+ so they don't have to deal with hassles. I'm actively less likely to get AppleCare on my next watch because of this process alone.

Taking your broken Watch into a store to get it fixed is still a hell of a lot more time wasted than Express Replacement will ever be.

 

[jz0309]

I'm going through this right now and this is a stupid process. The whole point of express service replacement is to reduce my downtime. Why make me unpair my device (which erases it), to initiate the process of getting the new device. I should do that after I have setup the new device and before returning it.

The current process creates extra hassle for the user, who is paying for AppleCare+ so they don't have to deal with hassles. I'm actively less likely to get AppleCare on my next watch because of this process alone.

Sure, there is an inconvenience factor, but, overall, what is more inconvenient? Paying outright for a new AW? Bringing it in for repair to some shop?

 

[puggles]

At least Express Replacement worked for you. I tried twice and they always tell me the service is down.