I bought an Apple Watch from a refurbishing company back in January, and after running into battery issues, I sent it back for repairs under their one-year warranty. However, when they got it, they said they couldn't fix the battery until my iCloud account was removed, so they sent it back to me. Upon receiving it, I found that there was an activation lock with an Apple ID that isn't mine or anyone I recognize. I've reached out to the refurbishing company, but their responses feel automated and I haven't gotten anywhere. I also contacted Apple, but they just told me to get in touch with the previous owner. I'm feeling a bit stuck and would appreciate any advice on the next steps. It's a bit confusing, so thanks in advance for your help!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might not have received your original watch back. Make sure to check the serial number to confirm. Without proper documentation from the original sale, Apple won’t be able to help you much with unlocking it. You might want to double-check with the refurbishing company about this, just in case they accidentally sent the wrong one back to you.
Honestly, it seems sketchy that they need you to wipe your account to fix the battery. Maybe they're trying to resell it? I would recommend pushing back on them and asking for more clarity. If they can't help, consider escalating to a consumer protection agency or posting a review about your experience.
I worry they want you to reset it so they can sell it off to someone else. Definitely not the most reputable behavior!
That did cross my mind too. I did verify the serial number, and Apple confirmed it's locked to someone else.