Help: Unlocking an Apple Watch

[Holeshot]

Anyone have any good advice on unlocking an Apple Watch that I don't have the reciept to? I have the box with all accessories. Short story: My dad bought several for my sisters/ nieces (several years ago) and they set them up and didn't use the because they didn't have iPhones at the time (nieces). I don't have the original sales receipt and they were bought directly from the Walnut Creek Apple Store. I spent $20 trying an online unlock which just swallowed by $20 instead.

Any ideas? I'm trying to give them to some of my employees kids, but the unlock status us messing that up.

In advance: thanks.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Maybe I am missing something more complicated (not an Apple person), but it sounds like you can just factory reset them and then the new owner can set them up?

https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/if-you-forget-your-passcode-apdbebcd1d3b/watchos

 

[ctwo]

I would like to tell you that, if you have a legitimate iTunes account and you connect your device via computer to that account, you will be given an option of a factory reset and update to latest FW. But your device may need to be in a locked state before doing so.

 

[byke]

My daughter had an issue with a used phone and their customer service said they'd accept a photo of the original receipt, which luckily she had. They seemed cool about it like they needed proof, but weren't total nazis about it, because it could have been a receipt for a different phone. Maybe you can have pops take a screenshot of the bank charge and explain to them that yours is buried in that total? Or maybe the Walnut Creek store can send your dad a copy of the invoice?

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I'd ask the Apple Genius bar

Apple says this https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204567

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode

If you forgot the passcode to your Apple Watch, you'll need to reset the watch and set it up again.
How to reset your Apple Watch if you forgot your passcode

Put your watch on its charger and keep it there until you complete these steps.
Press and hold the side button until you see the power button in the upper-right corner of the display.
Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see Erase all content and settings.
Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm.
Wait for the process to finish, then set up your Apple Watch again. When asked, restore from a backup.

Erasing all content and settings erases all media, data, and settings from your Apple Watch, but it does not remove Activation Lock. To remove Activation Lock, unpair the watch first. Before your watch is erased, a backup of its contents is created on your iPhone.

 

[Holeshot]

Thanks all. I've tried the reset trick, but the watches are already tied to email addresses no one can remember how to get into. I've used the word "idiots" or derivations of that word hundred of times...that they set these things up and had no thought to writing down, nor remembering their contact info is insane. I cannot get past the activation Lock Screen.

Byke: I'd do absolutely anything to get them in contact with my dad, but he died in late April, 2020. This is what makes things a bit more difficult.

 

[mean dad]

.

 

[Akira-R]

You could possibly head down to the apple store he purchased from, bring in a copy of your fathers death certificate and the watches with boxes if you still have them. Show them your id and give them your story about how they were signed up, but never used etc. Maybe a bill with his name/address if you have it. Even better if you both lived at the same place and your ID shows the same address.

It's worth a shot, they may be sympathetic to your cause.

 

[Holeshot]

Not a bad idea, thanks for that. We share the same address cause we send all of our mail to our main office in CA. That very well may help...now to go on the hunt for the CC bill and which card he used. Thanks for the heads up.

Also: I LOL'd on the Quija!

 

[Paulo666]

How to reset your Apple Watch if you forgot your passcode
Put your watch on its charger and keep it there until you complete these steps.
Press and hold the side button until you see the power button in the upper-right corner of the display.
Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see Erase all content and settings.
Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm.
Wait for the process to finish, then set up your Apple Watch again. When asked, restore from a backup.

 

[Abacinator]