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Apple Watch
Can You Find a Dead Apple Watch? Co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and Rain Kengly
Last Updated: February 18, 2026 Fact Checked
Can you find a dead Apple Watch?
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Using Lost Mode
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This article was co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 229,170 times.
Did you lose your Apple Watch? If you have Apple's Find My app enabled and the watch is powered on, you may be able to find your Apple Watch by locating it on a map. Unfortunately, your options are severely limited if the watch is out of battery or powered off—Apple Watches need Wi-Fi or cellular connection to transmit their locations. Despite this, there are safety measures you can take to increase your chances of having it returned. This wikiHow will show you how to enable Lost Mode for a dead Apple Watch through Find My.
This article is partially based on an interview with Gonzalo Martinez, the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014.
Things You Should Know
You can only find an Apple Watch's location if it's powered on and you have Find My enabled.[1]XResearch source
You can activate Lost Mode on a dead Apple Watch through Find My to disable usage.[2]XResearch source
If the Apple Watch is turned on by another party, Lost Mode can show your contact information for returns.
Steps
Section 1 of 2:
Can you find a dead Apple Watch?
1 If your Apple Watch is dead, finding it might be difficult. For Find My to work, your watch needs to be powered on and linked to your phone, Wi-Fi, or cellular connection. Otherwise, your watch won't be able to transmit its location.[3]XResearch source
2 If there's a chance your Apple Watch is not dead, Find My will help you locate it on a map. Visit https://www.icloud.com/find or use the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad to locate devices associated with your Apple ID.[4]XResearch source
Once you sign in to Find My, select Devices or All Devices, then select your Apple Watch if it appears on the map.
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3 If your Apple Watch is dead or offline, Find My will report its last known location before it was turned off. However, the location of the watch will only be visible for a very brief period of time. If you miss that short window, you'll only see the location of the device your Apple Watch was paired to on the map, not the Apple Watch.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement Section 2 of 2:
Using Lost Mode
1 Open Find My on your device. If Find My is enabled on your Apple Watch, you can put your missing watch into Lost Mode, which locks it instantly. This can be done on your iPhone or iPad via the Find My app or on your computer at https://www.icloud.com.
When your Apple Watch is in Lost Mode, your data is protected. If someone then finds and charges your Apple Watch, they can't pair your watch with another phone without your passcode.
When the person who finds your Apple Watch gives it a charge, they'll see your phone number on the screen. The finder can then contact you to arrange the safe return of your Apple Watch.
2 Login to the Apple ID associated with your Apple Watch.
3 Click on Devices at the bottom of the screen. This will show you a list of all devices connected to your iCloud.[6]XResearch source
4 Click your Apple Watch. It will have the name you've assigned to it.
If your watch has an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection, its location will be displayed on a map. Otherwise, it will be blank.
5 Swipe up to view more details. This will bring up your Apple Watch's options.
You will see options to manage Directions and Notifications, and Mark As Lost.
This is also where you can ping your Apple Watch if you believe it is active and nearby.
6 Click Activate underneath "Mark as Lost". This will lock your Apple Watch and put it in Lost Mode.[7]XResearch source
A page will pop up with Lost Mode details.
If the watch can receive messages, you can Leave a Message to be displayed on the watch face for the person who finds it.
The finder will have to charge and turn on the Apple Watch to see the displayed message.
7 Scroll to the bottom and click Continue.[8]XResearch source
8 Enter your phone number. This is how you'll be contacted if someone finds your Apple Watch.
9 Click Next.
10 Enter a message. This is the message that will be shown on your watch when someone finds it.[9]XResearch source
11 Activate Lost Mode. You will be asked to verify your details.[10]XResearch source
Make sure to activate Notify When Found as this will send a notification when your watch is powered on again.
Press Activate when your details are confirmed.
Your Apple Watch will now be locked. When it is powered on again, it will display your custom message and phone number to the finder.
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Co-authored by: Gonzalo Martinez Computer & Phone Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store. This article has been viewed 229,170 times. 77 votes - 32% Co-authors: 7Updated: February 18, 2026 Views: 229,170 Categories: Apple Watch In other languages Portuguese Indonesian Dutch Italian Chinese Hindi Thai Spanish Japanese
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Gonzalo Martinez Computer & Phone Repair Specialist 77 votes - 32% Click a star to vote 32% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 7Updated: February 18, 2026 Views: 229,170
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Co-authored by: Gonzalo Martinez Computer & Phone Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store. This article has been viewed 229,170 times. 77 votes - 32% Co-authors: 7 Updated: February 18, 2026 Views: 229,170 Categories: Apple Watch In other languages Portuguese Indonesian Dutch Italian Chinese Hindi Thai Spanish Japanese 
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1 If your Apple Watch is dead, finding it might be difficult. For Find My to work, your watch needs to be powered on and linked to your phone, Wi-Fi, or cellular connection. Otherwise, your watch won't be able to transmit its location.[3] 
2 If there's a chance your Apple Watch is not dead, Find My will help you locate it on a map. Visit https://www.icloud.com/find or use the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad to locate devices associated with your Apple ID.[4] 
3 If your Apple Watch is dead or offline, Find My will report its last known location before it was turned off. However, the location of the watch will only be visible for a very brief period of time. If you miss that short window, you'll only see the location of the device your Apple Watch was paired to on the map, not the Apple Watch.[5] Advertisement 
1 Open Find My on your device. If Find My is enabled on your Apple Watch, you can put your missing watch into Lost Mode, which locks it instantly. This can be done on your iPhone or iPad via the Find My app or on your computer at https://www.icloud.com. 
2 Login to the Apple ID associated with your Apple Watch. 
3 Click on Devices at the bottom of the screen. This will show you a list of all devices connected to your iCloud.[6] 
4 Click your Apple Watch. It will have the name you've assigned to it. 
5 Swipe up to view more details. This will bring up your Apple Watch's options. 
6 Click Activate underneath "Mark as Lost". This will lock your Apple Watch and put it in Lost Mode.[7] 
7 Scroll to the bottom and click Continue.[8] 
8 Enter your phone number. This is how you'll be contacted if someone finds your Apple Watch. 
9 Click Next. 
10 Enter a message. This is the message that will be shown on your watch when someone finds it.[9] 
11 Activate Lost Mode. You will be asked to verify your details.[10] 
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