As the market for pre-owned smartwatches continues to grow, Apple Watch sellers are being reminded of a crucial step before handing over their device: disabling Activation Lock. Failure to do so can leave the new owner with an unusable watch—and leave the seller scrambling to fix the issue remotely.
What Is Activation Lock?
Activation Lock is a security feature tied to Apple’s Find My network, designed to prevent unauthorized use of lost or stolen devices. When enabled, the watch remains locked to the original owner’s Apple ID, requiring their credentials to set it up again.
While this deters theft, it also means that a secondhand buyer won’t be able to activate the watch unless the previous owner removes it from their iCloud account.
Why This Matters in 2025
With the release of the Apple Watch Series 10 and growing interest in refurbished models, more users are selling or trading in older devices. However, Apple Support forums and resale platforms like eBay, Swappa, and Facebook Marketplace still see frequent complaints from buyers stuck with locked watches.
“I paid $200 for a Series 7, only to find out it’s still linked to someone else’s account,” said one frustrated buyer. “The seller isn’t responding, and now I’m stuck.”
How to Properly Remove Activation Lock
Before selling, trading in, or even resetting your Apple Watch, follow these steps:
Unpair from your iPhone: Open the Watch app, select your watch, tap the (i) icon, and choose Unpair Apple Watch.
Confirm removal from iCloud: Go to iCloud.com or the Find My app, select your watch, and click Remove from Account.
Factory reset (if needed): On the watch, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Resellers and Trade-In Programs Take Note
Major buyback services like Gazelle and Apple’s own trade-in program reject devices with Activation Lock enabled. Sellers risk lower offers or outright refusal if the watch isn’t properly prepared.
Conclusion
“A few extra minutes to unpair your watch can save hours of headaches,” says tech analyst Maria Chen. “Double-check Find My status before selling—it’s the easiest way to avoid disputes.” For more tips on selling used tech securely, visit Apple’s official support page or trusted reseller guidelines. Have you encountered Activation Lock issues? Share your experience in the comments.
