OMT Helpdesk: what to do if your Apple Watch is stolen?

The Apple Watch is a masterly smartwatch that, once you get used to it, you really don’t want to miss it. Unfortunately, criminals think the same way and it can happen that your beloved gadget is stolen. What do you have to do then?

In the OMT Helpdesk, the editors of One More Thing try to help you with your Apple products. Today the question: what should I do if my Apple Watch is stolen?

Try to find your Apple Watch in Find my

It is not recommended to go after a thief immediately after your Apple Watch has been stolen. However, it is always good to check whether you are right. So always check first in the Find Myapp whether the location of your smartwatch can be determined. This is possible via your iPhone, iPad or Mac. You can do this through the app or by logging into the iCloud website in your browser. However, keep in mind that the feature must be enabled on your Apple Watch. This cannot be enabled afterwards.

• Open Find my
• Select at Devices your Apple Watch
• Wait for the app to connect

If the Apple Watch is nearby, there is a good chance that the connection has been made quickly. At that time it is also possible to play a sound or navigate to the device. If you can’t get it, it’s time for the next step.

Report the smartwatch as lost

That next step is to report the lost Apple Watch. It’s always smart to do that to the police, but thanks to it Find mynetwork there is an additional option. You can use the function within the app Report as lost activate, so that you lock the smartwatch, as it were. To put it more simply: for the person who has your smartwatch, it has just become unusable.

Via the Find myapp, set this up as follows:

• Open the Find my-app
• Select at Devices your Apple Watch
• Search for Report as lost
• Press Activate
• Follow the steps shown on the screen.

If you work via the browser, do this as follows:

• Go to iCloud.com
• Sign in with your Apple ID
• Enter the code if you Have two-factor authorization enabled
• Press trust
• Then select Find iPhone
• Choose at All devices your Apple Watch
• Select Lost Mode
• Enter your mobile number
• Press Ready

Your phone number will now be displayed directly on the Apple Watch. If someone has put the smartwatch away with good intentions, they immediately know that you are looking for it and how they can reach you. You will also receive an update as soon as it is found.

Wipe your Apple Watch remotely

If you really have your hands in the hair and the Apple Watch has been lost for some time? Then it might be smart to remotely wipe the entire device. This will make all your personal data disappear and the smartwatch is almost as good as new. So nothing can happen to your accounts or debit cards.

Via the Find myapp you do this as follows:

• Open the Find myapp
• Select at Devices your Apple Watch
• Swipe all the way down
• Choose the option Clear device
• Follow the given steps

You can do this via your browser, after you have logged in, as follows:

• Select on the website All devices
• Choose your Apple Watch from the list
• Choose the option Erase Apple Watch
• Then follow the steps in the picture

Do you have any questions about a lost or stolen Apple Watch? Feel free to put them in the comments below. Do you need the OMT Helpdesk for something else? Then you can send your question, subject OMT Helpdesk, to [email protected] send.